Part two of Taste of Irvington Jazz in the Square ready to kick off

IRVINGTON, NJ — The second installment of the Taste of Irvington Jazz in the Square series is scheduled for Thursday, July 21, at 5 p.m. and features the Emmy Award-winning saxophonist Hunter Hayes.

The inaugural concert in the series on Thursday, June 16, featured Valerie Adams and Dimension Band, was well attended, according to series organizers Melody Scott, at large Councilwoman Renee Burgess and Jamilah Beasley-McCleod.

Part three in the series is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 18, but before that happens, the three organizers said they hope everyone would come out to enjoy Thursday’s event.

“Please come out and celebrate Hunter Hayes with us,” said Scott, who serves as the township’s director of neighborhood preservation, on Monday, July 18. “We will also be celebrating his birthday with cake, so come out and enjoy the vendors and a great event in the township of Irvington. We are looking forward to having our residents enjoy food and music and great company, along with the legendary DJ Qua.”

According to Burgess, who is also excited about the second part of the series, the plan is for the event to get bigger and better as it rolls along, gathering momentum for the third installment next month.

“It’s going to be awesome,” said Burgess on Monday, July 18. “The first jazz event was very successful, even with the cloudy weather. The entertainment made everyone, from the seniors down to the young children, feel good.”

Burgess said the second part of the series promises to at least twice as good as the first. “We had great vendors that had great food, jewelry, information packets and more,” said Burgess. “It was just a fantastic evening and I’m looking forward to this Thursday. Irvington is working together for a better community. So please come out and enjoy a night of Jazz in the Square.”

According to Beasley, having Hayes headline is a big step forward for the new event, which they hope to turn into an annual occurrence. Hayes has won seven Emmy Awards for composing the theme music to “Due Process,” a local television series on law and justice.

“Hayes is New Jersey’s No. 1 solo entertainer,” said Beasley on Monday, July 18. “His playlist includes music by Frank Sinatra, Nat Cole, Tony Bennett, Motown, R&B, Jersey Boys, Barry White and Otis Redding. We have an awesome show set for the residents of Irvington and I hope all come out to enjoy the sounds of Hunter Hayes and DJ Qua.”

For more information about the Taste of Irvington Jazz in the Square concert series, visit Taste of Irvington 2016 on Facebook or contact the township at [email protected].