Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival
Encyclopedia
Music festival
A music festival is a festival oriented towards music that is sometimes presented with a theme such as musical genre, nationality or locality of musicians, or holiday. They are commonly held outdoors, and are often inclusive of other attractions such as food and merchandise vending machines,...
that takes place the first weekend in June each year in Red Bank, New Jersey
Red Bank, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 11,844 people, 5,201 households, and 2,501 families residing in the borough. The population density was 6,639.1 people per square mile . There were 5,450 housing units at an average density of 3,055.0 per square mile...
. Sited at Marine Park along the Navesink River
Navesink River
The Navesink River is an estuary, approximately 8 mi long in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. It is surrounded by the communities of Middletown, Red Bank, Fair Haven and Rumson....
, the festival has been in operation since 1987.
Organized by the non-profit Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation, the festival typically runs on the first weekend in June from Friday late afternoon through Sunday late afternoon, and typically attracts up to some 150,000 people over the three days. It is said to be the largest free event of its kind in the Northeast United States. Music is presented on the main Marina Stage as well as the smaller Harbor Experience or Riverfront Stage. Beginning in the late 2000s, a third stage showcased local and youth artists. Numerous vendors of foods and wares surround the music area, which is a short stroll from Red Bank's Broad Street center. Indeed, the event grew out of, and then somewhat co-existed with, Red Bank Riverfest, which had been in operation since around 1980 with the purpose of showcasing the efforts of local restaurants while featuring some music as well.
In 2007, the festival was sponsored by Washington Mutual
Washington Mutual
Washington Mutual, Inc. , abbreviated to WaMu, was a savings bank holding company and the former owner of Washington Mutual Bank, which was the United States' largest savings and loan association until its collapse in 2008....
; area smooth jazz radio station CD 101.9
WQCD
WEMP , known on-air as FM News 101.9, is an all-news radio station located in New York City. WEMP is owned by Merlin Media LLC, and has studios located in New York's West Village neighborhood. WEMP's transmitter is located at the Empire State Building...
always had a presence as well. In 2008, the festival lacked a title sponsor for the first time since 2003; organizers said the festival's existence was in financial jeopardy for 2009. The festival did go forward in 2009 despite the ongoing late 2000s recession
Late 2000s recession
The late-2000s recession, sometimes referred to as the Great Recession or Lesser Depression or Long Recession, is a severe ongoing global economic problem that began in December 2007 and took a particularly sharp downward turn in September 2008. The Great Recession has affected the entire world...
and even further diminished sponsorship, with organizers stressing the need for attendees to contribute and some second stage performers foregoing being paid. Due to construction in Marine Park, the 2010 festival relocated inland to Monmouth Park under the name Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Festival. For 2011, the Red Bank Riverfest reclaimed its old spot in the first weekend of June in the park, featuring local, often rock-oriented bands, while the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Festival scheduled itself for single days each in Middletown
Middletown Township, New Jersey
Middletown Township is a township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township had a total population of 66,522...
, Long Branch
Long Branch, New Jersey
Long Branch is a city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 30,719.Long Branch was formed on April 11, 1867, as the Long Branch Commission, from portions of Ocean Township...
, and Asbury Park
Asbury Park, New Jersey
Asbury Park is a city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States, located on the Jersey Shore and part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 16,116. The city is known for its rich musical history, including its association with...
across July, August, and September.
Typical headlining acts for the Festival have included John Pizzarelli
John Pizzarelli
John Paul Pizzarelli, Jr. is an American jazz guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and bandleader. He has had a lengthy career as a recording artist, performing for a variety of labels that include Telarc Records, RCA Records and Chesky Records, among others...
(2010), Houston Person
Houston Person
Houston Person is an American jazz tenor saxophonist and record producer. Although he has performed in the hard bop and swing genres, he is most experienced in and best known for his work in soul jazz. Person is also known for his distinctive sassy sound and his expressive style of playing...
(2009), Big Bill Morganfield
Big Bill Morganfield
William "Big Bill" Morganfield is an American blues singer and guitarist, who is the son of Muddy Waters.-Biography:Morganfield was born in Chicago, Illinois, but had little contact with his famous father, whose real name was McKinley Morganfield. Instead he was raised in Southern Florida by his...
(2007), Eddie Palmieri
Eddie Palmieri
Eddie Palmieri , is a Grammy Award winning Puerto Rican pianist, bandleader and musician, best known for combining jazz piano and instrumental solos with Latin rhythms.-Early years:...
(2005), Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers (2002), and Bernie Worrell and the Woo Warriers (1999).