By Gregory Burrus | Posted Monday, September 5, 2022

Our next Jazzy Nights Event will be at the historic South Orange Blanchard Mansion where we’ll enjoy another swinging night of jazzy live music, fun and fellowship with friends and neighbors.

Evenings Activities

This event is being held to celebrate our buddy CC Minton as the recently appointed president of Harlem World Magazine. The night's activities will contain live music performance by the renowned jazz pianist, bandleader, arranger, and producer Nat Adderley Jr. There will be short presentations by HWM board members and associates. Light refreshments, appetizers and wine will be served. Smart Casual Attire Required.

Harlem World Magazine

We will be celebrating the appointment of CC Minton as the President of Harlem World Magazine! Harlem World Magazine is the go-to source for community news and events in Harlem and the "Harlems" of the world, as HWM has 1.2+ million annual global readers of which 60% are in Harlem, 20% are from across the USA and the other 20% are Worldwide. 85% visit local events and businesses monthly, and 79% of the readers have a graduate degree, with 29% of our readers having an annual income between $60,000-$110,000.

CC Minton

Our new president, CC Minton, is dedicated to preserving the rich culture of Harlem and expanding the "Harlem" mindset to other communities. You can view the Press Release about the new HWM President appointment right here. https://www.harlemworldmagazine.com/harlem-world-magazine-appoints-cc-minton-as-president-at-the-head-of-the-business-helm/

Nat Adderley Jr.

Headlining the night's live music entertainment will be the renowned jazz pianist and bandleader Nat Adderley Jr. The Adderley name is an important one in music because it’s synonymous with jazz, swing, funk, spirit and musical excellence. Nat Adderley, Jr. keeps the torch burning, with a lineage from as far back as Multi-instrumentalist Cannonball Adderley (Mercy, Mercy, Mercy and in Mikes Davis Band), and Cornetist Nat Adderley (“Work Song” and Lionel Hampton’s big band).

Over time, Nat Adderley, Jr. has created his own historical legacy. In high school, he performed and wrote music for his father’s group, the Cannonball Adderley Quintet. Adderley also worked as a keyboardist for R&B singer Valerie Simpson. Adderley earned his B.A. degree in African American studies from Yale University. Nat wrote “The Wave” for Kirk Whalum, arranged Natalie Cole’s 1987 recording of “When I Fall In Love”, produced “Just Another Lonely Night” for Johnny Gill, produced Gloria Lynne’s album No Detour Ahead, and produced “That’s How Heartaches are Made” for The Temptations.

Adderley was the music director for Luther Vandross for over 20 years. Adderley arranged the music for Vandross’ 1981 album, Never Too Much on the songs “Never Too Much” and “Sugar and Spice (I Found Me a Girl).”. In addition to numerous other accomplishments, Adderley also played keyboard for Vandross’ 1991 Grammy award-winning album, Power of Love. He produced Vandross’ albums Your Secret Love, Luther Vandross, and the Grammy award-winning album, Dance with My Father. Adderley arranged Vandross’ 2003 Grammy award-winning duet with Beyonce Knowles, “The Closer I Get to You,” which won for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

In addition to his work with Vandross, Adderley has worked with several other musicians. He arranged the songs for Aretha Franklin’s 1983 album, Jump To It, the string section for Doc Powell’s Grammy-nominated song “What’s Going On” and Natalie Cole’s song “When I Fall in Love.” Recordings of Adderley playing piano were used by playwright August Wilson for his play The Piano Lesson in 1990.

Joining Nat on this occasion will be the dynamic drummer Sir G. Earl Grice and the always-in-demand bassist Chris Berger. Come join us as the Nat Adderley, Jr. Trio and a number of special guests provide us with a unique jazz experience that you will not want to miss.

Our Host — Patterson Foundation Blanchard House

In line with the theme of CC Minton’s "I Love Beautiful Spaces", we have selected the historic, timeless beauty of the Blanchard House to host this wonderful celebration. The Blanchard House is a 1920's Georgian Mansion in South Orange that transports visitors right back to the Gilded Age. The home draws inspiration in its design from the style of the Gilded Age Mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, perhaps the most famous one being The Breakers. The address is 100 Blanchard Rd, South Orange, NJ 07079.

Patterson Foundation / Blanchard Conservatory — The Patterson Foundation strengthens the efforts of people, organizations, and communities by focusing on issues that address mutual aspirations, foster wide participation, and encourage learning and sharing. The Patterson Foundation's staff and consultants are ready to provide an engaging presentation about the foundation and its initiatives. Learn more at https://www.patterson-foundation.org/

Event Producer

Gregory Burrus Productions — Gregory Burrus is a local live music ambassador, event planner, blogger, writer and community partner that curates, manages, promotes and produces live music events in the local Northern NJ and New York Area.