Features Jazz from Mountainside, July 27
The Union County Summer Arts Festival concert series continues its 51st season of music on Wednesday, July 27, with an evening of jazz performed by the Full Count Big Band. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, led by Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon, invites the public to attend this free concert that begins at 7:30 p.m. in Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.
The Full Count Big Band is an 18-piece orchestra that hails from Mountainside. The group has played at NJPAC in Newark and at concerts, swing dances, private parties, clubs, festivals and civic events all over the Garden State. Several of the group’s members have toured with famous bands and jazz greats such as Maynard Ferguson and Tommy Dorsey. With a library of more than 5,000 arrangements, the Full Count Big Band plays an eclectic mix of music ranging from nostalgic Swing Era classics to contemporary funk, Latin and rhythm & blues.
“Bring the entire family for an entertaining evening in Echo Lake Park,” said Freeholder Chairman Scanlon. “Pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on, and enjoy the wonderful sounds of summer under the stars.”
The Union County information van will be at the concert site with personnel from the Union County Division of Planning and Community Development, Bureaus of Housing and Transportation, along with other knowledgeable Union County staff to answer questions and offer information about interesting programs and recreational activities that are available to Union County residents.
The Summer Arts Festival concerts continue throughout August on Wednesdays beginning at 7:30 p.m. This summer’s concerts will be held at Echo Lake Park on the Mountainside-Westfield border and at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets are encouraged. Refreshments and snacks will be available from vendors.
The other free concerts in the Union County Summer Arts Festival series include:
August 3 – THE British Invasion Tribute (songs of the ‘60s); at Oak Ridge Park.
August 10 – JoBonanno & the Godsons (Jersey Shore Soul); at Oak Ridge Park.
August 17 – Almost Queen (Queen cover band); at Oak Ridge Park.
August 24 – Parrotbeach (Jimmy Buffett cover band); at Echo Lake Park.
August 31 – The Nerds (high energy party band); at Oak Ridge Park.
For rain information call the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at (908) 558-4079 after 3 p.m. on the day of the scheduled concert, or visit the Union County web site: www.ucnj.org