2019 Jazz @ The Point Festival Is Oct. 10-13
During its heyday, jazz was the soundtrack to steamy summer nights throughout Atlantic City. Swinging sounds pulled patrons into clubs and the rolling chairs bounced along the boardwalk to the beat of the bass drum.
For those longing for the good ole days when jazz overflowed through the streets of Atlantic City will only have to travel offshore next week to feel the same vibe.
The South Jersey Jazz Society Jazz @ The Point Festival presented by OceanFirst Bank Foundation is Oct. 10-13, 2019 mostly throughout the best watering holes in Somers Point.
This year’s festival will put the organ in the spotlight with performers known for shaping sounds with the keys; Pat Bianchi Quartet performing 7:30-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11 at Gateway Playhouse and two players known throughout Philadelphia area on Saturday, Oct. 12 – The Lucas Brown Septet playing 5-6:30 p.m. at Josie Kelly’s Public House and acclaimed Hammond player Joey DeFrancesco playing 7:30-9 p.m. at Gateway Playhouse.
The curtain rises on the festival with the Budesa Brothers Duo performing a free concert 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 at SoPo Brewery. The evening continues with Akiko Tsuruga Quartet featuring Joe Magnarelli 7:30-9 p.m. at the Gateway Playhouse, and the SJJS Quartet featuring Chris Simonini, Howard Isaacson, Keith Hollis and E Shawn Q performing a free concert 9:30-11 p.m. at the Anchorage.
On Friday, Oct. 11, the Pat Bianchi Quartet featuring Joe Locke, Paul Bollenback and Byron Landham will play 7:30-9 p.m. at Gateway Playhouse. That concert will be followed by the Tony Monacco Organ Trio featuring Howard Paul 9:30-11 p.m. at Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar.
The majority of the performances are Saturday, Oct. 12 with Lucas Brown Septet featuring Elliot Bild, Nick Lombardelli, vibraphone player Behn Gillece, Sean Markey and Doug Hirlinger playing 5-6:30 p.m. at Josie Kelly’s Public House, Joey DeFrancesco Trio performing 7:30-9 p.m. at Gateway Playhouse and Budesa Brothers Band featuring Tom Angello playing 9:30-11 p.m. at Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar.
The festival closes with two free performances Sunday, Oct. 13; the Benedetto Guitar Jazz Bruno featuring Howard Paul and Jimmy Bruno playing 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar and Michael Pedicin covering The Jazz Organ and its Philly and Atlantic City Connection 2-3:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Free Public Library.
Tickets are $85 for an all-access ticket, which increases to $100 after Oct. 9. Tickets are $20 for Thursday, $30 for Friday and $40 for Saturday; prices increase $10 after Oct. 9.
The South Jersey Jazz Society, which organizes the festival and other events throughout the year, has been a nonprofit member organization since 2004. See SouthJerseyJazz.org for information.
