Don’t sit around brooding — there are still a few dynamic days left before the James Moody Jazz Festival finale. As the cliché goes, they saved the best for last for the conclusion of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) program. Here are a few enticing highlights to put the glide in your stride.
Nat Adderley, Jr., longtime New Jersey resident, pianist, and composer, makes his way to Dorthaan’s Place Jazz Brunch at NICO Kitchen + Bar (Newark, NJ) on November 23. This will be his debut appearance as a jazz musician and bandleader. For four decades, Adderley was the creative force behind legendary R&B singer and multi-Grammy winner Luther Vandross, as his musical director, arranger, and co-writer of such hits as “Stop to Love” and “Give Me the Reason.”
Once he decided to follow jazz rhythms for life, Adderley took to the road over the last 10 years to hone his improvisational skills, leading trios and quartets in massive gigs, primarily in the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area.
His diligent pursuit of jazz has delivered his debut album as a leader, appropriately entitled “Took So Long,” just released on NAJ, his own independent label. The album’s 11 tracks of 10 covers arranged by Nat and his original self-titled track put him directly in the limelight, highlighting his brilliance as an arranger and enthralling piano voice. He adds a spicy Latin flavor to “Old Devil Moon,” and his daughter Alana brings her radiant vocal reverence to Billie Holiday’s signature ballad “Don’t Explain.”
On “Took So Long,” Nat is surrounded by his familiar bandmates: bassist Chris Berger and drummers Tommy Campbell, Dwayne Cook Broadnax, and Vince Ector. “Since I’m still learning, I used different bands on the record to keep my ears open and help me feel fresh,” explained Adderley. “Since we basically played nothing but covers during our NYC/NJ gigs, I felt my first recording should follow that format. I’m still getting better — I’m playing and growing.” “Took So Long” can be streamed on Spotify.
Nat joins the Adderley legacy in the jazz tradition of his legendary father, cornetist and composer Nat, Sr., and his uncle, alto saxophonist and composer Julian “Cannonball” Adderley.
It’s only natural for Adderley to debut his jazz musicianship at Dorthaan’s Place. Dorthaan Kirk is an NEA Jazz Master, jazz mother, historian, and mentor to many in and out of the jazz community. It will be somewhat of the prodigal jazz son returning home in celebration. Two shows, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
As a blurry democracy struggles to retain its freedom under the rein of a want-to-be tyrant looking for adulation as a cruel, ignorant dictator, it is most applicable for the JM Jazz Festival to present revolutionaries “for Social Justice Through Spoken Word.” MCs and poets unite for a moving celebration of the spoken word as a catalyst for social justice, a call to action.
On November 20, MCs known for taking no mess will bum-rush NJPAC stage with riveting words of urgency. They will include Chuck D revolutionary poet, cultural griot, and frontman for Public Enemy; Rakim, “originator of flow”; producer, writer, and TikTok sensation Raina Somone,; the 2025 Nuyorican Slam Team with special guest Caridad de la Luz, executive director of the Nuyorican Café; and Tyehimba Jess, poet and author of “Leadbelly” and the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Olio” among others.
On November 21, the fest continues with Philadelphia’s main son, bassist, composer, and multi-bandleader Christian McBride and his Big Band. They are fresh off the success of their 2025 album “Without Further Ado,” Vol. 1. The 17-piece ensemble features an inspired lineup of special guests, including Grammy-winning vocalist Andra Day (“Rise Up”) and José James, amd Ledisi returning with her signature blend of R&B and jazz.
For all tickets, visit njpac.org/series/james-moody-jazz-festival/.
On November 25–30, the Village Vanguard will experience Jason Moran and the Bandwagon as they share their infinite source of imagination, improvisation, and daring spirit. For the last quarter-century, the trio has been acknowledged for their creative approach to jazz. The longstanding collaborative trio of pianist Moran, bassist Tarus Mateen, and drummer Nasheet Waits play outside the realm of jazz.
The trailblazing piano trio hasn’t recorded an album since their “Live Thanksgiving at the Village Vanguard” in 2017 (YES Records). Their engagement during the week of Thanksgiving has become a tradition over the years. We can be sure whatever they play this Thanksgiving, the headless turkey will jump up and gobble, gobble to innovative grooves from the origins of James Reese Europe to Fats Waller, to original compositions in the core of classical music, jazz, swing, and hip hop.
For reservations, visit villagevanguard.com.