For the second half of its historic 19th cultural season, the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) proudly announces new dates for Jazz in the Loft, curated by award-winning bassist, composer & producer John Lee, with a roster of luminaries and local legends. When they’re not touring across the country and throughout the world, these incredible artists serve their immediate and surrounding communities as master practitioners, mentors, and consummate entertainers.
“Over the years, Jazz in the Loft has become something of a sacred series, not only for me as curator — and fan — but also for the entire SOMA community,” says series curator John Lee. “Jazz in the Loft is an opportunity for us to celebrate the immense local talent we have in Blues, Bebop, Bossa Nova, and hard-swinging repertoire, and for us to experience, together, the thrill of live improvising at its most interactive and engaging.”
This 2025 series features live performances at 7PM on select Sundays from new and returning artists. Pianist and legendary hitmaker Nat Adderley, Jr. brings his quartet to the Loft on JAN 26; trumpet master and consummate educator Ted Chubb blazes up the bandstand alongside special guest, saxophonist Bruce Williams on FEB 23; then on MAR 23, celebrated drummer and generational mentor Winard Harper brings his Jeli Posse to the Loft; and on APR 13, frequent Steely Dan opener and local hero Dave Stryker shares small ensemble arrangements from his Jan 10 orchestral release.
“I can’t wait to share this season’s lineup with all our patrons,” says Lee. “I hope we’ll see a few new faces in the audience for each of these momentous hits.”
About the Series
Curated by Grammy Award-winning producer John Lee, Jazz in the Loft features award-winning artists from around and beyond the greater SOMA area who are master improvisers and consummate band leaders. Blues, Bebop, Bossa — as long as it’s swinging, you’ll hear it at SOPAC!
To browse SOPAC’s full programming schedule, visit SOPACnow.org.
Explore SOPAC’s Jazz in the Loft Programming
Jazz in the Loft
Nat Adderley, Jr. Quartet
Curated by John Lee
SUN, JAN 26 at 7PM
Arranger and pianist Nathaniel Adderley Jr. spent much of his career arranging as music director for Luther Vandross tours and co-wrote most of Vandross’ albums. His father Nat Adderley was a composer and cornet & trumpet player; his uncle Cannonball Adderley, a legendary alto saxophonist. Adderley started playing piano as a child and, when he was 11 years old, had his first song “I’m on My Way” recorded by Cannonball on the 1967 album Why Am I Treated So Bad! Adderley first met Vandross while attending the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City. He later graduated from Yale University with a degree in African American studies. Adderley cites his influences as Chick Corea, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk. His compositions for Vandross include “Stop to Love,” “Wait for Love,” “Make Me a Believer,” “Other Side of The World,” and “Give Me the Reason,” which earned a Grammy nomination. Read more…
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Jazz in the Loft
Ted Chubb feat. Bruce Williams
Curated by John Lee
SUN, FEB 23 at 7PM
Ted Chubb’s new release Gratified Never Satisfied positions the trumpet player and composer as a singular creative force in music. A multi-faceted artist, he has served as both a leader and a collaborator to Christian McBride, Wallace Roney, Winard Harper, Antonio Hart, Melissa Walker, Don Braden, Bruce Williams, Billy Hart, Charenee Wade, Tia Fuller, Vincent Gardner, Dave Stryker, Josh Evans, Dave Gibson, Jerome Jennings, and Cecil Brooks III. The Ohio native has performed with mid-west legends, including Hammond B3 master Bobby Floyd and saxophonist Gene Walker. In 2003 Chubb moved to New York City to study with master trumpet teacher William “Prof.” Fielder, receiving his master of music from Rutgers University. Read more…
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Jazz in the Loft
Winard Harper & Jeli Posse
Curated by John Lee
SUN, MAR 23 at 7PM
Drummer Winard Harper’s first major gig was with Dexter Gordon in 1982; shortly after, he began playing with Johnny Griffin. Before long, his drumming skills captured the attention of Betty Carter, in whose storied band he spent four years, working with such legends as Ray Bryant, Abdullah Ibrahim, Pharoah Sanders, and Clifford Jordan. Around that time, he also established The Harper Brothers, a band he led with his brother, trumpet player Philip Harper, which became one of the hottest Post-Bop era bands from the late ’80s through the early ’90s. Further inspired by the musicianship and leadership of Dr. Billy Taylor and Billy Higgins, Harper went on to record a number of albums featuring collaborations with a range of icons, while refining his sextet sound. Read more…
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Jazz in the Loft
Dave Stryker
Curated by John Lee
SUN, APR 13 at 7PM
Praised by The Village Voice as “one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years,” guitarist and composer Dave Stryker has released more than 35 albums as a leader and collaborated with iconic artists, including Stanley Turrentine and “Brother” Jack McDuff. Stryker’s working trio featuring Jared Gold and McClenty Hunter plays regularly across New York and tours frequently, including opening for Steely Dan on the iconic band’s recent tours. Recent recordings Prime and As We Are received wide acclaim, the latter featuring John Patitucci, Brian Blade, Julian Shore and a string quartet arranged by Shore, and earning spots on a number of “Best of” lists including the DownBeat Readers Poll, and one for JazzTimes. His albums often hit #1 on the JazzWeek Radio chart, and he earned recognition as one of the top Jazz Guitarists in the 2022 DownBeat Critics and Readers Polls for the 15th time. Read more…
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