Seven outstanding jazz events are scheduled for this season’s Jazz at Rutherfurd Hall line-up with legendary Buck Pizzarelli kicking things off with Aaron Weinstein on Oct. 8. 

Rutherfurd Hall is located at 1686 Route 517, Allamuchy. This season’s jazz events are sponsored by Panther Valley Pharmacy and Heath Village Retirement Community.

 *Bucky Pizzarelli &Aaron Weinstein  

Sunday, October 8, 2017 • 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm 

$25 advance & $30 door 

Legendary & superior guitarist, Bucky Pizzarelli appreciated by swing musicians in particular is the master of the seven-string guitar with a stellar career for more than six decades as “The complete jazz musician”, a fixture in jazz and the studios since the early ‘50s. The list of big bands and vocalists with whom Bucky has performed and recorded reads like a veritable Who’s Who of Jazz. 

Called “the Groucho of the Violin” by Tony Bennett and “a perfect musician” by jazz guitar legend, Bucky Pizzarelli, Aaron Weinstein “is rapidly establishing himself as one of his instrument’s rare jazz masters.” (Don Heckman, International Review of Music).  

Sunday, November 12, 2017 • 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm 

$25 advance & $30 door  

“What separates Grant Stewart from so many of his peers stuck in the quicksand of hard bop nostalgia is the sheer creative spark and spontaneity of his solos… 

When Stewart gets hot the questions of individuality evaporate amid the in-the moment thrills of his invention.” Mark Stryker, Detroit Free Press 

3 Divas: Jackie Warren on piano, Amy Shook on bass, Sherrie Maricle on drums plays original, traditional, and contemporary standards from all genres of music with their own unique style, innovative arrangements, and unified musical joy. 3D combines exuberance, energized and fun-filled musical experience for everyone. 

Sunday, December 10, 2017 • 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm 

$25 advance & $30 door 

Award winning tenor jazz saxophonist & record producer, Houston Person is known as the “The Boss Tenor Crown” He’s performed in the hard bop and swing genres, but most experienced in and best known for his work in soul jazz. Person is also known for his distinctive sassy sound and his expressive style of playing. 

David Leonhardt, jazz pianist and composer, is a highly skilled and versatile artist with a passion to bring the jazz and creative music experience to as many people in the world as he can in a way that allows them to be transported to a higher plain of thought and emotion. 

Sunday, January 21, 2018 • 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm 

$30 advance & $35 door 

One of the world’s premiere jazz pianists, Bill Charlap has performed with many leading artists of our time. He is known for his interpretations of American popular songs and has recorded albums featuring the music of Hoagy Carmichael, Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin. Time magazine wrote, “Bill Charlap approaches a song the way a lover approaches his beloved…no matter how imaginative or surprising his take on a song is, he invariably zeroes in on its essence.” 

Peter Washington is a jazz double bassist. He initially played classical bass and played with the Westchester Community Symphony at the age of 14. Later he worked with electric bass in bands and became interested in jazz while attending Berkley going on to perform with many outstanding jazz musicians. 

Music of Count Basie 

Sunday, February 25, 2018 • 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm 

$30 advance & $35 door 

Comprised of outstanding musicians who have played under Basie, Ellington, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Wynton Marsalis and so many others. 

Sunday, March 25, 2018 • 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm 

$25 advance & $30 door 

Virtuoso instrumentalist and composer Hendrik Meurkens began his career in Germany playing vibes. At 19, he heard Toots Thielemans play harmonica, which totally changed his musical life. His career has taken him from Brazil to Germany, then throughout the European continent where he became a pivotal force on the studio and jazz scene, performing, composing, recording, and touring extensively with his own ensembles as well as with visiting legends Harry Sweets Edison and Buddy Tate. 

Sunday, April 22, 2018 • 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm 

$30 advance & $35 door 

Tony DeSare performs with infectious joy, wry playfulness and robust musicality.  Named a Rising Star Male Vocalist in Downbeat magazine, DeSare has lived up to this distinction by winning critical and popular acclaim for his concert performances throughout North America and abroad. From jazz clubs to Carnegie Hall to Las Vegas headlining with Don Rickles and major symphony orchestras, DeSare has brought his fresh take on old school class around the globe. Notwithstanding his critically acclaimed turns as a singer/pianist, DeSare is also an accomplished award-winning composer.