Results for "Montclair Jazz Festival"

Mecadon McCune

Born: August 31, 2005

Mecadon McCune is a drummer, composer, bandleader, and a true student of Black American Music. Growing up the son of esteemed pianist Brandon McCune and opera singer Christine McCune, Mecadon has been immersed in music from all sides. He grew up watching his father perform with the likes of Abbey Lincoln, Terence Blanchard, Nneena Freelon, Betty Carter, Miki Howard, Wynton Marsalis, Bruce Williams, Chrisette Michele, Ted Dunbar, Larry Ridley, Russell Malone, Lenora Zenzalai Helm, Mark Gross, Antonio Hart, and Orbert Davis just to name a few. 

Although Mecadon has been watching and learning from esteemed musicians since birth, his musical studies began at age three, when his parents enrolled him in the Suzuki Method of Classical Piano. He played classical piano until the age of 14, when he made the switch to drums thanks to the guidance of his high school band director, saxophonist Mario Banks. Since then, Mecadon has "fallen in love" with the drums, and describes the throne as his "inner peace."

Montclair Jazz Festival 2021

by Mark Robbins
October 19, 2021

In 2002 Melissa Walker founded the Jazz House Kids and, with her husband Christian McBride, started a program “to help students embark on a journey of musical creativity and learn about jazz's cultural and international legacy." Over the years the program has continued to grow and has become one of the leading music programs in the ...

2017 Montclair Jazz Festival

by Richard Conde
August 17, 2017

The 8th annual 2017 Montclair Jazz festival in Nishuan Park in Montclair NJ came alive on August 12 with the sights and sounds of jazz. Actress S, Epatha Merkerson, from the hit TV series “Law and Order" was once again mistress of ceremonies along with WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM announcer Gary Walker. This festival had performances ...

Sun and Stars at Montclair Jazz Festival

by Gloria Krolak
October 31, 2015

At the 2015 Montclair Jazz Festival, the sun broiled and the stars sparkled over some 6,000 jazz fans, that number announced by emcee Gary Walker, a popular WBGO radio on-air personality. Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor S. Epatha Merkerson, best known for her 17 seasons as Lieutenant Van Buren on NBC's “Law and Order," was ...