Summer of Music in Essex County

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Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. invites the public to visit the Essex County Parks System and enjoy the 2017 Essex County Free Summer Music Concert Series. Upcoming events feature concerts by the New York Bee Gees, Richard Reiter and Frank Valdes and an African Caribbean Festival.

“Our Free Concert Series offers a diverse lineup of performers who will take center stage in venues throughout our historic Essex County Park System. Pack a blanket, enjoy the cool evening breeze and dance to the sounds of classical, rock and roll, jazz, big band, Latin and more,” DiVincenzo said.

New York Bee Gees

The New York Bee Gees Tribute Show’s members regularly perform at the NYCB Theatre at Westbury, Resorts World Casino, Empire Casino and the Suffolk Theatre. They have played sold out shows at the Paramount Theatre and B.B. King’s NYC Club. The New York Bee Gees cover all of the classic disco hits from the three British brothers, including “Staying Alive” and “Night Fever.” The original band’s earlier songs, such as “To Love Somebody,” “I’ve Got To Get A Message To You” and “Massachusetts,” are also a part of the band’s repertoire. The concert will be held as follows:

Date: Friday, August 4, 2017

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Place: Essex County Brookdale Park

Watchung Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ

Bellevue Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ

African Caribbean Festival

The 2017 Essex Summer Concert Series continues with an all-day African Caribbean Festival in Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park. It will be held as follows:

Date: Saturday, August 5, 2017

Time: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Place: Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park

Center Street & Harrison Street

Orange, NJ

Richard Reiter

Richard Reiter is a renowned jazz composer and musician known for his abilities to play 10 different woodwind instruments. Those instruments include soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophone, C-flute, alto flute, bass flute, Bb soprano and Bb bass clarinet, and the piccolo. He has released four CDs with his contemporary jazz group called the Richard Reiter Afro-Jazz Project. His expert improvisations express the emotions and adventure in his music. The concert will be held as follows.

Date: Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Time: 7 p.m.

Place: Essex County Vailsburg Park

South Orange Avenue

Newark, NJ

Frank Valdes

Frank Valdes began performing in his hometown of New York City at the age of 14 and has been performing professionally for 26 years. Currently, he regularly performs with The Machito Orchestra, the Shirelles, Ensalada del Pulpo and other bands, as well as his own solo project, The Boricua Zone. At age 22, he was invited to play congas with the world renowned Machito Orchestra and was included on the last two albums the Machito Orchestra ever recorded. At the Bronx Art Ensemble at the South Street Seaport, he performed with Paquito D’Riviera and Nestor Torres. Throughout his career, Valdes has had the honor of performing with great musicians such as Dizzie Gillespie and Toots Theilsman. The concert will be held as follows.

Date: Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Time: 7 p.m.

Place: Essex County Riverfront Park

Raymond Boulevard and Brill Street

Newark, NJ

The SummerMusic Concert Series is being sponsored by Rose Squared Productions, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and TD Bank. The series is also made possible, in part, by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State.

Concerts are held at accessible sites. Persons who require special accommodations or assistance are asked to call at least two weeks prior to the concert to alert staff as to their needs. Admission to the concerts is free. For more information, please call the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs at 973?268-3500.