Jazz, Rhythm & Blues

North Jersey Blues Society and Blues Alive have collaborated to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy with this unique musical portrait: Celebrate Ma Rainey, Mother of the Blues. Gertrude Pritchett — a.k.a. Ma Rainey — still reigns as the Mother of the Blues, and a trailblazing American composer band leader. This intimate event celebrates and contextualizes Ma Rainey as a powerful blues musician, mentor, and collaborator to a cadre of musicians who, in turn, became innovators themselves. This performance features a Q&A and encourages audience engagement and participation in conversations that frame American music up to the present as a living tradition of the Blues. Funding for this program is provided by the NJ Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission.

Once again, celebrated SOPAC curator and local Blues legend Mike Griot brings his storied programming to the Mainstage to present the Winter Edition of SOPAC’s 2nd Annual South Orange International Blues Festival: “Women of the Blues” featuring three masters of incomparable depth and range: 2025 Grammy-nominated artist Sue Foley, Alexis P. Suter, and Rae Simone. A member of SOPAC’s Creative Brain Trust, Griot curates this annual event with longtime Blues fans, casual listeners, and curious newcomers in mind. Whether you’re seeking new music from contemporary artists to elevate your record collection or playlist; a range of live performances that share personal stories and deep-pocket shuffles; or a down-home warm-up away from the winter chill, this festival is the event for you.

SOPAC welcomes the Mainstage debut of internationally acclaimed guitarist and composer Andy McKee. A master of melody and phrasing, McKee transforms the steel string guitar into a full orchestra, using altered tunings, tapping, partial capos, percussive hits, and his signature two-handed technique. Don’t miss an intimate solo performance from this acoustic hero live at SOPAC, co-presented with NJPAC Productions.