Sunday May 27, 2012SUBSCRIBE
New Jersey Monthly Magazine
Music

Bouncing (Souls) on the Beach

The recent Bamboozle Festival was not just great for New Jersey music fans, it also provided a high-profile opportunity for a bunch of Jersey bands like the Bouncing Souls to play to their home state crowd.

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Super Class for NJ Hall of Fame

The 11 new inductees to the New Jersey Hall of Fame represent a variety of talent—from soup to Superman. more

Hoboken's dB's Are Back Again

The dB's, a band whose smart, jangly pop found a home in the late-70s Hoboken music scene, returns after decades pursuing independent projects and separate lives. more

Bey Bey's Back

May 25-27: Lady B takes on a three-day residence at Atlantic City’s new state-of-the-art resort and hotel, Revel. These dates mark Beyonce’s first public performances since the birth of her daughter in January. more

Asbury Park Gears Up for Bamboozle's Return

What started as a weekend concert in Asbury Park nine years ago, has become a major rock extravaganza with national appeal. more

Texas Crowd Warms to Post-Clemons Springsteen

Two hours and 18 minutes passed in their Thursday night set at South By Southwest before Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band sang about the time the big man joined the band. The band—and the audience—went silent.

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Springsteen Awakens Music-Conference Crowd

High noon is an ungodly hour for the hipsters who crawl the late-night bars and honky-tonks of Austin, Texas, at the annual South By Southwest music conference. But that was wake-up time this morning if they wanted to catch an earful of the conference’s music keynote speaker, Bruce Springsteen.

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Music Is In The House

Living rooms are (quietly) becoming the venue of choice for intimate concert appearances by brand-name recording artists. more

2012 Jersey Choice: The Best of NJ—Shopping

We sure do love to shop here in the Garden State. Find out which boutiques, clothing stores, flea markets, and arts and crafts supply stores our readers most enjoy. more

Bullying CD Gets Respect

Can an album with an anti-bullying theme meant to educate children win a Grammy? A seasoned writer and producer of children's music believes it can. more

Still Reigning

Our Q&A with Queen Latifah covers her latest film, the Garden State's influence on her inspirational books, and the possibility of releasing a new album. more

Climbing the Ladder

Jonas Brother Nick heads back to Broadway in How to Succeed. more

Royal Wedding

Jersey girl Nancy Shevell recently tied the knot with Sir Paul McCartney, but what was she like at John P. Stevens High School in Edison? We take a peek at her old yearbook. more

Exhibit Celebrates the Boss of Free Speech

You’ve got to love the concept: Bruce Springsteen, Jersey guy, celebrated as an icon of free speech at a new exhibit opening in February at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

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Jersey's Jammin'

The Garden State is fertile ground for a growing jazz scene. more

When Bruce Is The Soundtrack

Robert J. Wiersema's book Walk Like a Man: Coming of Age with the Music of Bruce Springsteen, personalizes the impact of the rock superstar's musical canon. more

Strings Attached

The Shanghai Quartet take a hands-on approach to being artists-in-residence at Montclair State University. more

Lost in the Pines

The Saturday-night scene at Albert Music Hall transports country music fans back to a simpler time. more

College Radio Has Its Day

An assistant professor of communications at William Paterson University hopes the inaugural College Radio Day boosts support for closing college radio stations. more

Happy With "the Bruce Thing"

We chat with Gaslight Anthem front man Brian Fallon about his Jersey roots, his band's upcoming European tour, and "the Bruce thing" he has no desire to shake. more

Forty Years Strong

Aug 30–31: Since 1971, ZZ Top’s original lineup of Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard have been performing their blues-based boogie rock. more

The Boys of Brass

Aug 12: Since its beginnings in 1989, Spanish Brass has enthralled audiences with its versatility and virtuosity. more

Rutgers Amps Up Opera Studies

The Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University looks to expand its opera program. more

Social Climber

Tewksbury native Alison Haislip is the (social media) voice of The Voice, NBC's hit singing competition program. more

Keeping the Coffeehouse Spirit Alive

The Folk Project, a nonprofit, artistic community centered around music, seeks to recapture the magic of the coffeehouse. more

Clarence Clemons: A Shared Sense of Loss

The passing of Clarence Clemons, however sad, is a reminder of how special it is to be from New Jersey.

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Make Some Noise

Jul 1-3: Red Bank doesn’t just celebrate Independence Day on the Fourth. The town’s 52nd annual fireworks display has evolved into a three-day festival along the banks of the Navesink. more

The Chairman's Wife

Barbara Sinatra recounts her 22-year marriage to the Chairman of the Board in her new memoir Lady Blue Eyes: My Life With Frank Sinatra. more

What's Happening

Your calendar for a summer of fun. more

Jersey Hosting Papal Choir Tour

The Choir of the Pope’s Diocese of Rome will perform at the Patriots Theater in Trenton, and the Community Theatre in Morristown this summer. more

More Than a Memory

Pat DiNizio, front man for The Smithereens, talks to NJM about his band's Jersey roots, reuniting the group, and their upcoming tour. more

Day Tripping in Asbury Park

Culinary and cocktail options abound in quirky Asbury Park. Adventurous daters can find a varied range of options to suit all palates and preferences in this sui generis seaside village. more

The Joy of Jazz

The hip international vibe at Shanghai Jazz in Madison has made this cultured gem a prime location for romantic couples seeking a fun night full of music. more

New Smithereens Album!

Seminal NJ rockers the Smithereens are getting ready to release their first new album of original material in 12 years—Smithereens 2011.

They've made one of the songs, Sorry, available for listening free. Click below for the link...

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A Singular Mann

Apr 8: Aimee Mann has never been a fan of conformity. It started in the ’80s when she bucked an overbearing beau with the release of her band ‘Til Tuesday’s hit album “Voices Carry.” more

Hitting the High Notes

In the shrinking world of jazz radio, WBGO is not just a survivor but a national leader. more

Best of New Jersey: Shopping

We sure do love to shop here in the Garden State. Find out which boutiques, clothing stores, flea markets, and arts and crafts supply stores our readers most enjoy. more

Culture By the Bundle

You don't have to go into New York City to find premium arts and entertainment, New Jersey has plenty to offer—and most of it without the stiff NYC price tag. more

'I'm Not Done Yet'

Hubert Sumlin, the progenitor of a sound that has roots in the Mississippi Delta, will play at Centenary College as part of a two day blues festival. more

Evergreen Sounds

Conner Dugan and his sister Sharlys form a fiddle and harp ensemble affectionately dubbed Dugan's Hooligans. more

Island in the City

The founder of Tempo, a Newark-based TV network with 3.5 million views on 24 Caribbean islands, talks about the company's success. more

Blues No More

Bettye LaVette might be the the greatest R&B singer you've never heard of. The West Orange resident talks about the ups and downs of the music world. more

Be All Ears

Jan 7, 11, 12: Since 1969, Gregg Allman’s keyboards and compelling vocals have powered the Allman Brothers Band. more

Come Hell or High Water

Beginning with Winter Festival 2011, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra launches a multiyear odyssey through the elements, starting with water. more

Twisting Into History

50 years ago, Wildwood gave birth to Chubby Checker’s dance craze. more

In Good Company

Composer and lyricist Jerry Herman, a Jersey City native, will be honored by the Kennedy Center for his life's work on December 5. more

Dylan Revisited

Esteemed history scholar and Princeton professor Sean Wilentz tackles a different subject in his new book—legendary musician Bob Dylan. more

Stanhope Has the Blues (Again)

The reopening of the Stanhope House carries with it hopes of a return to its former glory as prime venue for big-time blues acts. more

A Gifted Young Drummer on the Boardwalk

Set up on the Asbury Park boardwalk opposite the Stony Pony, this young drummer was playing some fascinating rhythm, not just the usual thudding. Turns out he is a 2010 graduate of Neptune High School, a member of the National Honor Society, and a drum instructor at Big Beat studio in Neptune City...

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With A Little Help From His Friends

Sept 18: Former member of Styx and Irvington native Glen Burtnik and friends return to the State Theatre for Jersey Beatles Bash IV. more

The Pretender And His Pal

Sept 2, 4, & 5: Folk-rock musician and songwriter Jackson Browne continues his road trek this fall with longtime friend and collaborator David Lindley, with whom he recently released the live album, Love Is Strange. more

Rock Star 101

At School of Rock's newest location in Montclair, children can learn music through the prism of classic rock. more

Piano Woman

A classical pianist who was raised in South Orange prepares to release a new album—Russian Music for Cello and Piano. more

They Got That Boom Boom Pow

Aug 7: One of the most energetic acts in music today is coming to Boardwalk Hall to get the party started. more

The Springsteen Substitute

Aug 15: The Boss may be taking a break from tours this summer, but the ultimate Bruce Springsteen tribute band will hit the road hard. more

The Girls Club

July 28 and 31: Thirteen years since Lilith Fair’s female artists first took the stage, the touring festival returns this summer with more than 30 shows. more

Jazz Goes Green

July 1–29 On July 1: the Louis Hayes Quintet, led by the boppin’ drummer himself, kicks off the 45th annual Jazz in the Gardens series at the Newark Museum. more

No Blues at the Basie

A newly restored Count Basie Theatre—now simply called the Basie—has a sizzling summer lineup to accompany its sleek new design. more

New Faces NJ: Candi Lynn

Growing up with music. more

Slumdog Composer

June 12: Best known for winning two Oscars, a Golden Globe, and two Grammys for composing the score of Slumdog Millionaire in 2009, international musician A.R. Rahman stops at Boardwalk Hall on his “Jai Ho: The Journey Home” world tour. more

Fun For All

New events and old favorites abound on the summer’s Shore calendar. more

New Faces NJ: Dale Trumbore

A classic talent on the rise in the classical world. more

Grand Ole Gershwin

May 21 & 23: Celebrating its 45th anniversary season, the New Jersey State Opera presents the Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess at Newark Symphony Hall. more

Happily Bamboozled

May 1–2: The 5-year-old Bamboozle Festival is still the rage for Jersey’s younger generation. Held at the Meadowlands Sports Complex, it showcases hundreds of the most talked-about acts in music today. more

Around The World And Back Again

May 26, 27, 29: In the midst of visiting 30 countries for 135 shows on their “Circle the World Tour,” New Jersey natives Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, David Bryan, and Tico Torres are coming home for three inaugural shows at the New Meadowlands Stadium. more

Jazz Lives In This House

Jazz House Kids—a Montclair-based nonprofit promoting jazz education—has reached thousands of students throughout NJ. more

Good as Gold

Apr 9–10: The teen idols who made the girls swoon in the ’50s and ’60s are back, though no longer teens. more

Home Again

Folksinger John Gorka has never stopped being a Jersey boy. more

Oh Happy (Grammy) Day

Stefanie R. Minatee attended the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles with her longtime friend Queen Latifah. more

Two Hats, One Baton

Rossen Milanov is the music director of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra, and Symphony C, a training orchestra based in Camden. more

Jersey Sheik

Mar 18: Musician Duncan Sheik returns to New Jersey to promote his latest album Whisper House at the South Orange Performing Arts Center. more

A Rocker for the Next Gen

The former bassist of the band From Good Homes has a new creative musical outlet—children's tunes. more

Global Guitar

Jan 29: Jazz guitarist and New Jersey native Al Di Meola has produced 21 solo albums and played with the likes of Paul Simon, Santana, Stevie Wonder, Frank Zappa, Les Paul, and more. more

A Gift of Life and Music

Musician David S. Ware, of Scotch Plains, recovered from a kidney transplant...with a little help from his fans. more

The Gaslight Anthem Homecoming

New Brunswick band The Gaslight Anthem has been touring the country for the past year and a half promoting their latest album The ’59 Sound. But Friday night at the Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, the fun-loving, rock-and-rolling foursome showed that their hearts and music still belong to Jersey.

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Bon Jovi When We Were Beautiful

After touring with the band, photographer Phil Griffin compiled new and old photos, along with snippets of conversations, for Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful (Collins Design). more

New Faces NJ: Bamboo Shoots

A music contest victory spells TV exposure and a recording deal for this Jersey-bred band. more

Remembering A Music Man

Nov. 9: Celebrate the hits of J. Billy VerPlanck at the “Through His Life” memorial concert at William Paterson University. The jazz arranger and trombone player from Clifton passed away in June. more

Never Too Late

The Smithereens drummer Dennis Diken starts anew with a semi-solo album. more

Klezmer Magic

At 92, Salo Enis long-lost music is rediscovered. more

New Faces NJ: HelenaMaria

Identical twins Helena and Maria Mehalis of Flemington have merged their singing and songwriting talents into the free-spirited pop-rock duo HelenaMaria. Can’t tell them apart? Here’s a clue: Maria plays guitar left-handed. more

Liberty Rocks

July 31–Aug 2: About 79,000 people attended last summer’s inaugural All Points West Music and Arts Festival. The three-day event, whose name is inspired by the signs that greeted immigrants at the Central Railroad of New Jersey, returns to the historic 80-acre Liberty State Park in Jersey City. more

The Silence Making Noise

Pay close attention next time you’re watching a Philadelphia Phillies game. The music you hear between innings might just be some cool tunes from a South Jersey band.

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Live and Local in Camden County

Mark your calendars: the Camden County concert series is starting up for the summer – meaning free entertainment for you.

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New Faces NJ: Matt Duke

Matt Duke picked up a guitar—and a career. more

Where Have All The Record Stores Gone?

Mostly down the tubes, but Jersey still has some great places to shop for music. more

The Day the Surf and the Music Died

A minor league baseball team and a beloved music festival are South Jersey’s latest recession casualties.

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Joyful Girl

April 22: Immerse yourself in an evening of raw talent and emotion with Ani DiFranco at the Mayo Center for the Performing Arts. Armed with poetic girl-power lyrics, the “folk punk” songwriter, vocalist, and musician is known for her unconventional style. more

Big Night with Lil Wayne

Some days you just get lucky. Yesterday, when tickets for the Lil Wayne concert fell in my lap, was one of those days.

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Music Gets Them Moving

Washington Township High School in Sewell integrated an innovative method for mobilizing students in-between classes. more

New Faces NJ: The Gaslight Anthem

With a unique sound and inspiring lyrics, New Jersey’s The Gaslight Anthem is gaining momentum—and fast. more

New Faces NJ: Status Green

The boys of Monmouth County pop/rock band Status Green seem to do everything fast. more

Finally PAC-ing It In

As a former Sunday School attendee and teacher, I've heard more than my fair share of "This Little Light of Mine." Listening to twenty or so gospel singers from South Africa belt it out, however, was an entirely new religious experience.

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Naturi's a Natural

Express Delivery

How can you not love Tim McLoone? In addition to the endless string of titles he claims (from restaurateur to marathoner to dad), he's just an incredibly likeable guy. And this time of year, he pours himself into an organization that deserves our attention.

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Rockin' with the Old People

On my first trip to the newly restored Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, I wasn't exactly surrounded by my peers. But that doesn't mean I didn't have a blast.

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Polyphonic Tetris

Stage Right

One month before its scheduled Oct. 27 opening, the Wellmont Theatre in Montclair was a hive of activity, with workers on scaffolding performing an elaborate ceiling restoration, while others manned power saws and paintbrushes. more

New Faces NJ: Charlotte Sometimes

As she tours the nation this fall with Gavin DeGraw, everyone from MTV to The New York Times wants to know more about this strangely named girl with the big voice and soul-stirring lyrics. more

New Faces NJ: Nicole Atkins

Growing up in Neptune, Nicole Atkins wrote songs, searching for a way to blend country and '60s rock. “Music was everywhere on the Shore and it was the only thing where I really found my ‘place,’” she says. She found her sound, was recently signed to Columbia records, and will perform at the All Points West Festival in Jersey City on August 9. more

Rock Festival Survival Guide

It’s outdoor concert season, when music lovers endure hour after hour of ear-splitting sound while standing on tiptoe, elbow to elbow under the pitiless sun. You can’t beat it! If, that is, you take these simple precautions. more

Far From E Street, Still a Spirit in the Night

Vini “Mad Dog” Lopez, the E Street Band’s first drummer, lives for the music he and Bruce made in their Boardwalk days. more

Best Of Jersey: Woody Guthrie

Woody: Wired in Newark. more

American Idol

Kosher Gospel

Shore Lore: Music Man

Shore Lore: Celluloid Singer

Shore Lore: Name Those Tunes

Shore Lore: Sounds of the Shore

Shore Lore: Those Were the Vibes

She's With the Band

A Regal Talent

Queen Latifah more

Band Bard

Bruce Springsteen more

Best Days For A Debut Jersey Artist

You, Me, & The Duprees