Monmouth Vicinage Black History Month Program: A Celebration of the Legacy and History of Jazz

The Monmouth Vicinage will celebrate Black History Month with a program featuring a virtual concert by the Jazz Arts Academy on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 12:30 p.m.

The program will highlight the contributions of African Americans to jazz with inspiring instrumental performances by students from the Jazz Arts Academy, led by artistic director Joseph Muccioli. The Jazz Arts Academy is a music education program presented by Jazz Arts Project, a non-profit organization that produces world-class professional jazz performances to support music education for area youth and preserve the legacy of jazz. Jazz Arts Academy is a specialized arts partnership program with the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank.

Assignment Judge Lisa P. Thornton will speak, and vicinage employee Tarika Jean-Pierre will give vocal performances, including the Black national anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Carmen Balentine, Jazz Arts Project director of development, will moderate the program.

This virtual event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Those interested in viewing the concert can register here.

For more information, to request an ADA accommodation, or for interpreting services, contact Monmouth Vicinage EEO/AA Officer Carmen Flores at 732-358-8700, ext. 87682 or carmen.flores@njcourts.gov.

The program is sponsored by the Monmouth Vicinage EEO/AA Advisory Committee and the Advisory Committee on Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement.