A Month‑long Jazz Showcase Honoring The Power, Legacy, And Brilliance Of Women In Music

Gregory Burrus Productions, in partnership with the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS) and Mt. Zion AME Church of Millburn, proudly presents a dynamic, month‑long celebration of Women’s History Month, showcasing the extraordinary impact of women in jazz, culture, and community.

This year’s theme—“Empower Women: Honoring the Impact of Women in Jazz”—brings together legendary trailblazers, rising stars, and the women whose artistry continues to shape the sound and soul of American music.

Across more than two dozen performances, the March 2026 lineup highlights the depth, diversity, and unstoppable creative force of women in jazz.

A Month Built Around Legacy, Leadership, and Lift‑Every‑Voice Energy

Women’s History Month 2026 is anchored by three pillars:

• Honoring the Legends — including NEA Jazz Masters Dorthaan Kirk and Melba Doretha Liston, whose contributions transformed the landscape of jazz.
• Spotlighting Today’s Innovators — such as Amina Figarova, Yayoi Ikawa, Alexis Morrast, Nikita White, Merik Ara, Celli Pitt, Lynette Sheard, Deborah Smith, and more.
• Celebrating Community — through partnerships with Clements Place Jazz, Rutgers IJS, and Mt. Zion AME Church.

“Our mission is to honor the legacy of jazz by bringing its history, its heroes, and its living innovators directly to the community. Celebrating Women’s History Month with this extraordinary lineup allows us to uplift the women who shaped the music and the women who are shaping its future.” —Gregory Burrus, Producer & Host/MC

A Star‑Powered Lineup Spanning the Entire Month

The March calendar features a sweeping range of performances, including:

• 3/2 – Lance Bryant & Shout! Big Band
• 3/4 – Nat Adderley Jr. CD Release Party
• 3/5 – Amina Figarova, Pianist & Composer
• 3/6 – Dave Schumacher & Cubeyé CD Pre‑Release Agua Con Gas
• 3/8 – Alexis Morrast: Blues & Blessings—Mt Zion AME Milburn
• 3/10 – Sonelius Smith, Adam Kahan & Friends — Hosted by NEA Jazz Master Dorthaan Kirk
• 3/11 – Gil Scott Chapman & Nikita White Project
• 3/13 – Steve Kroon, Percussionist
• 3/15 – Merik Ara: Jesus & Jazz at Mt. Zion AME Milburn
• 3/25 – Celli Pitt & the Halsey Dearhearts—Paying homage to the rich legacy of Jazz in Newark
• 3/26 – NJPAC Community Engagement Jazz Jam led by James Austin Jr.
• 3/27 – Jae Sinnett: Drummer, Composer & Radio Personality
• 3/29 – T.K.Blue Quintet honors NEA Jazz Master Trombonist/Aarranger Melba Doretta Liston
• 3/30 – Nathan Eklund & the Jersey City University Jazz Ensemble

Each event contributes to the month’s overarching mission: to honor women’s artistry while celebrating the communities that sustain it.

The Cultural Centerpiece: TK Blue’s Tribute to Melba Liston (3/28)

The Women’s History Month celebration reaches its peak with a monumental closing event: TK Blue’s Tribute to Melba Doretha Liston—honoring her 100th Centennial and her historic 2025 induction into the Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame at Jazz at Lincoln Center. As the longtime musical director for Randy Weston and one of the foremost interpreters of Weston and Liston’s shared legacy, TK Blue brings unparalleled insight into Melba’s genius. This performance celebrates the woman whose orchestrations shaped Weston’s global sound, whose trombone voice broke barriers, and whose pen crafted some of the most important works in modern jazz. Featuring Kim Clark, Yayoi Ikawa, Deborah Smith and a powerhouse ensemble, this tribute stands as both a celebration and a reclamation of Melba Liston’s rightful place in jazz history—now enshrined among the greatest to ever shape the music.

This event is positioned as the capstone of the month—an emotional, historical, and cultural summit honoring one of jazz’s greatest women.

Honoring NEA Jazz Master Dorthaan Kirk

Throughout the month, special recognition is given to Dorthaan Kirk, NEA Jazz Master and widely known as “Newark’s First Lady of Jazz.” Her decades of work at WBGO, NJPAC, and in the community have shaped Newark’s jazz identity. She hosts the March 10 performance and is honored across the month’s programming.

About the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS)

The Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies, housed at Rutgers University–Newark, is the world’s largest and most comprehensive jazz archive, preserving the history, culture, and creative legacy of America’s original art form. Founded in 1952, IJS safeguards thousands of recordings, manuscripts, photographs, oral histories, and rare artifacts documenting jazz’s evolution. Under Executive Director Wayne Winborne, IJS is committed to preservation, research, performance, and community engagement that brings jazz history to life.

About Clements Place Jazz

Clements Place, operated by Rutgers University–Newark and the Institute of Jazz Studies, is one of New Jersey’s premier listening rooms—an intimate, artist‑centered venue dedicated to presenting world‑class jazz in a warm, community‑focused environment. Known for its exceptional acoustics and welcoming atmosphere, Clements Place showcases both legendary artists and rising voices, reflecting Newark’s deep jazz heritage. Clements Place Jazz is where Rutgers Newark brings world‑class jazz straight to the community—intimate, accessible, and rooted in Newark’s cultural heartbeat.

About NJPAC Community Engagement

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) Community Engagement Department is a national model for arts‑driven community building. Through free programs, workshops, concerts, and partnerships across Newark and New Jersey, NJPAC brings the arts directly to neighborhoods, schools, and cultural institutions. The department produces beloved series such as Jazz Vespers, Books on the Move, North To Shore Festival, Dance Workshops, and the Monthly NJPAC Jazz Jams, uplifting community voices and expanding access to the arts. “Women have always been the heartbeat of our communities, and the arts give us a powerful way to honor their stories. Through our engagement work, we bring music and culture directly to the people—uplifting families, inspiring young minds, and celebrating the women who lead, teach, nurture, and create.” —Rev. Eyesha Marable, Assistant Vice President, NJPAC Community Engagement