Institute of Jazz Studies

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The Institute of Jazz Studies is the world's foremost jazz archives and research facility founded in 1952 by Marshall Stearns (1908-1966).

The Institute of Jazz Studies is the world's foremost jazz archives and research facility. It was founded in 1952 by Marshall Stearns (1908-1966), a pioneer jazz scholar. In 1966, Rutgers was chosen as the collection's permanent academic home. IJS is part of the Rutgers University Libraries, and in 1994 moved to spacious new quarters on the fourth floor of the John Cotton Dana Library on the Newark Campus. The Institute is used by students from Rutgers (especially those in the new Master's Program in Jazz History and Research) and other institutions, teachers, scholars, authors, independent researchers, musicians, the media, record companies, libraries and other archives, and arts agencies.

10/30/2026

Celebrate trumpeter James Gibbs with a birthday concert featuring a special trumpet tribute and guest vocalist Alexis Morrast.

Join us for a joyful celebration of trumpeter James Gibbs, featuring a birthday performance and a special trumpet tribute. With guest vocalist Alexis Morrast adding her soulful brilliance, this evening promises energy, artistry, and heartfelt musical connection. Expect powerful horn lines, warm vocals, and a night filled with community spirit.

Artist
James Gibbs is a dynamic trumpeter known for his fiery sound, versatility, and deep roots in the New Jersey jazz scene. His performances span straight‑ahead jazz, R&B, and contemporary styles, showcasing both technical mastery and emotional depth. Alexis Morrast, a rising star vocalist, brings warmth, clarity, and expressive storytelling to every performance, making her one of the most exciting young voices in jazz today.

Join Us
Please join us at 15 Washington Street, Newark, home of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University–Newark. We look forward to welcoming you for an inspiring evening of music and community.

10/29/2026

Rooted in solarpunk, Myoka brings together voice, piano, and string quintet in a heady mix that moves and engages listeners deeply.

Myoka is a collaborative project by multi-award-winning artists, My Tam Huynh (aka mitamu) and pianist, composer, and arranger Kai Ono (aka OK KAI) that brings together voice, piano, and string quintet. Rooted in solarpunk, Myoka invites listeners to explore speculative futures and imagine new ways of living while deepening our connections with nature.

Mỹ Tâm Huynh, aka “mitamu” is an interdisciplinary, multi-award-winning artist exploring storytelling through music, visual art, and futurism. Rooted in solarpunk, Asian futurism, and climate activism, her work imagines decolonized, sustainable futures through interconnected worlds across mediums. Huynh holds a Master of Music from the Manhattan School of Music(2022), where she currently serves on the Jazz Arts faculty. Her honors include the AsianAmerican Arts Alliance’s 2025 Van Lier Artist of Exceptional Merit award, the 2023 ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award, and the ASCAP Phoebe Jacobs Prize. She has been commissioned by organizations such as Wildflower Composers/Asian Arts Initiative and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra.

OK KAI is an unmoving romanticist and idealist. He commands a musical style that sways between the cathartic and the intimate, the academic and the intuitive, the traditional and the new. His art, innervated by his neo-soul and folk influences beyond his classical and jazz writing, is driven by his love for the marriage of compassion and intellectualism, delivering an urgent and desperate message of connection. He also loves games and birds.

Band name: Myoka

Mỹ Tâm Huynh, vocals

Kai Ono, piano

Alyssa Chetrick, violin

Minnie Jordan, violin

Melanie Dyer, viola

Agustin Uriburu, cello

Pete Dennis, bass

10/24/2026

Celebrate saxophonist Leo Johnson’s birthday with a joyful night of jazz, groove, and community spirit.

Rutgers IJS Presents Leo Johnson Birthday Celebration
Join us for a festive celebration honoring saxophonist Leo Johnson, whose soulful sound and joyful presence have inspired audiences for decades. This birthday performance brings together friends, fans, and fellow musicians for an evening filled with groove, warmth, and musical excellence.

Artist Bio
Leo Johnson is a beloved Newark‑based saxophonist known for his powerful tone, deep groove, and decades of contributions to the region’s jazz community. His performances blend blues, soul, and straight‑ahead jazz, reflecting a lifetime of musical dedication and artistry.

Join Us
Please join us at 15 Washington Street, Newark, home of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University–Newark. We look forward to welcoming you for an inspiring evening of music and community.

10/24/2026

Rutgers IJS Presents Saxophonist Pat Gannon at Clements Place

Based in New Jersey, Patrick Gannon has quickly earned recognition for his expressive playing and thoughtful compositions. His group, Pat Gannon’s , blends classic quartet textures with contemporary grooves, delivering vibrant performances at venues like Clement’s Place and Mt. Zion AME Church.

A graduate of William Paterson University, Patrick brings both technical mastery and emotional depth to the stage. He’s active in the tri-state jazz circuit, performing alongside artists such as Will Gorman and Michael Goetz, and contributing to community-driven events that celebrate jazz’s spiritual and cultural roots

10/22/2026

Cubano Rican Charanga makes their FIRST‑EVER appearance at Clements Place Jazz on October 22 —bringing the fire, elegance, and cultural depth of Cuban, Puerto Rican, and New York Latin music straight to Newark. Led by flutist/saxophonist Dany Martinez, this powerhouse ensemble blends classic charanga (flute + violins) with Afro‑Cuban rhythms and NYC salsa swing. Featuring Afro‑Cuban legend Ernesto “Chico” Álvarez and veteran NYC vocalist José Calderón, this debut promises irresistible dance energy, rich musical history, and a night of pure Latin joy.

10/16/2026

Trombonist Clifton Anderson leads his quintet in a night of soulful, expressive, and deeply swinging modern jazz.

Join us for an unforgettable evening with trombonist Clifton Anderson and his quintet as they deliver a dynamic blend of swing, soul, and modern jazz expression. Anderson’s warm tone, commanding presence, and deep musical sensitivity create a performance filled with energy, creativity, and heartfelt storytelling.

Artist Bio
Clifton Anderson is one of today’s leading trombonists, celebrated for his work with Sonny Rollins and his acclaimed recordings as a leader. His sound is rich, expressive, and rooted in both tradition and innovation. Anderson’s artistry reflects decades of experience performing with jazz legends and shaping the future of the instrument.

Closing Paragraph
Please join us at 15 Washington Street, Newark, home of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University–Newark. We look forward to welcoming you for an inspiring evening of music and community.

10/15/2026

Get ready to groove in person with the amazing James Austin Jr leading the jam. Whether you’re a jazz pro or just love good vibes, this session is the place to be. Bring your instrument or just your love for jazz and enjoy an evening packed with cool tunes and great company!

10/14/2026

Las Guaracheras, explosive all‑women salsa band igniting NJ with fierce Hispanic Heritage Month at Clements PlacA

SET 1 Rutgers IJS & Gregory Burrus Presents: Dynamic Las Guaracheras
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the explosive energy of Las Guaracheras, the all‑women salsa ensemble direct from Cali, Colombia — the world’s Salsa Capital. Known for their fierce musicianship, driving percussion, and unmistakable Cali swing, Las Guaracheras ignite every stage they touch with rhythm, power, and cultural pride.

This special performance brings together the authority of the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies and the production excellence of Gregory Burrus Productions to showcase one of the most dynamic Latin groups touring today. Their music blends classic salsa traditions with modern fire, delivering a high‑impact experience that moves dancers, jazz lovers, and culture seekers alike.

Join us for a night of unstoppable energy as Las Guaracheras celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a performance filled with movement, joy, and international flair. This is salsa at its highest level — bold, vibrant, and led by women who are reshaping the sound of Latin music.

Come ready to feel the rhythm, embrace the culture, and be part of a celebration that lights up New Jersey.

10/09/2026

Catch the David Weiss Quintet live at Clements for some smooth modern jazz vibes!

Welcome to Clements Place Jazz, where every seat feels close to the music and every night brings something extraordinary. Tonight we proudly welcome the David Weiss Quintet, a powerhouse ensemble led by one of the most influential trumpeters and composers in modern jazz. Settle in and get ready for bold improvisation, deep swing, and the kind of musical storytelling that only David Weiss and his world‑class band can deliver. This is the moment — live jazz, real community, and a room built for unforgettable nights.

David Weiss
David Weiss is a celebrated trumpeter, composer, and bandleader known for shaping the sound of modern post‑bop jazz. As founder of The New Jazz Composers Octet, he helped launch a new generation of jazz innovators while preserving the lineage of Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, and the great hard‑bop masters. Weiss has performed and recorded with legends including Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Roy Haynes, Jimmy Heath, and Charles Tolliver, earning a reputation for precision, fire, and fearless creativity.

His ensembles — from his acclaimed quintet to larger compositional projects — showcase sharp improvisation, bold harmonic movement, and deeply swinging rhythm. Weiss’s recordings have been praised for their sophistication, clarity, and commitment to pushing jazz forward while honoring its roots. A respected educator, arranger, and musical director, he continues to mentor rising artists and contribute to major jazz institutions worldwide. The David Weiss Quintet represents contemporary jazz at its highest level.

Join Us
Thank you for joining us tonight at Clements Place Jazz. Stay, connect, and keep the vibe going — the night doesn’t end when the last note fades. We invite you to return for future performances, support these incredible artists, and help keep live jazz thriving in our community. Bring friends, spread the word, and let’s continue building unforgettable nights together.

Check out the livestream on the Clement's Place Jazz and IJS pages and on our YouTube channel -

https://www.facebook.com/events/407513298157352/?ref=newsfeed

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf8W7q1qlz0yt5Ebcn4tkSQ

https://www.facebook.com/InstituteJazzStudies

Thank you for Joining us.

10/05/2026

SHOUT! - Clem's resident big band led by master saxist and composer Lance Bryant return for their monthly roof raising performance

SHOUT! features some of the finest musicians in the NY/NJ area in a modern big band setting performing hip arrangements of new jazz classics and originals by master arranger and tenor saxophonist Lance Bryant. This full sixteen piece big band performs compositions and arrangements by Lance and occasionally arrangements of his colleagues. Lance has been arranging for other artists and bands for over twenty five years, starting with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. “Lionel Hampton always encouraged me to keep writing,” Lance says of the iconic Jazz legend. “I found that when commissioned to write for artists or band leaders there was often some level of restrictions or parameters to adhere to.” That was until Lance was commissioned to write a program of arrangements to be performed live by vocalist Carla Cook and the NDR Big Band in Hamburg, Germany in 2002. Given ample freedom to create by Carla, Lance wrote nine arrangements for the program. “I was so pleased with the results, I never forgot that feeling.” In the Spring of 2022 Lance finally decided to start his own band. “For me there’s nothing like that range of power and expression we can achieve with sixteen great musicians. Not to mention the sense of community and family that we enjoy working as a big band.”

Regular Members:

Lance Bryant - conductor, arranger, composer and saxophone

Saxophones: Matt Hong, Zoe Obadia, Craig Rivers, Mike Lee, David Schumacher

Trombones: Juanga Lakunza, Peter Lin, Clarence Banks, James Borowski

Trumpets: Nathan Eklund, Eddie Allen, Ted Chub, Bill Mobley

Rhythm: Oscar Perez, Caylen Bryant, Jerome Jennings

Address

185 University Avenue
Newark, NJ
07102

Website

https://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/jazz

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