The Baird is proud to present the 17th annual Concerts in the Park series. Every Wednesday beginning July 8 at Flood’s Hill in
Meadowland
Park,
South Orange,
NJ, a delightful evening of music begins at 7:30 pm for families and neighbors to enjoy. Recognized for the significant performers it presents, these exceptional concerts draw visitors from miles around...and it is right here in our own backyard, rain or shine!
Don’t let the rain keep you away. The rain site location will be at Seton Hall University Jubilee Hall in
South Orange, an air conditioned theater – perfect for a free concert - just follow the signs on campus. Go to www.thebaird.org ‘s home page under Breaking News after 3:00pm for updates in case of impending rain.
On July 8, Maya Azucena
Grammy-award winner and
Brooklyn,
NY native Azucena and her band performs an eclectic mix of hot R&B-meets-hip-hop vibes that will make you move and groove. The NY Post described Maya Azucena as having a “towering voice which has echoes of old-school divas, like Chaka Khan and Roberta Flack.” In addition to the growing buzz across the
U.S., she's toured European cities of
London,
Stockholm, and
Amsterdam. She has performed with artists such as the Isley Brothers, Gladys Knight, Anthony Hamilton, Platinum Pied Pipers, John Legend, Isaac Hayes, and Martin Luther.
On July 15, Claudio Roditi, a Night of Brazilian jazz
Integrating post-bop elements and Brazilian rhythmic concepts into his palette with ease, trumpeter/flugelhornist Claudio Roditi plays with power and lyricism. Roditi traveled for several years as a member of Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nation Orchestra, and more recently, he performs with the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Star Big Band, a Gillespie tribute group. Roditi’s solo work on SYMPHONIC BOSSA NOVA with Ettore Stratta and the Royal Philharmonic earned him a Grammy nomination in 1995. With eighteen critically acclaimed albums to his credit, Claudio Roditi is truly an artist on the move with his music. Roditi has performed and/or recorded with Joe Henderson, Charlie Rouse, Herbie Mann, Tito Puente, Paquito D’Rivera, and McCoy Tyner, among others.
On July 22, Vance Gilbert
A big hit on the national concert tours and a wizard on acoustic guitar, Gilbert is well crafted and thoughtful, the songs qualify as ‘folk’ only in the loosest sense. Gilbert's style is a rich mix of bounding, pliant vocals, thoughtful lyrics...and sophisticated guitar riffs. Nominated for a Boston Music Award and a Top 10 CD of the Year, Gilbert’s music has been described as having “the voice of an angel, the wit of the devil and the guitar of a god”- by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The Boston based, Philadelphia raised guitarist, has performed and recorded with everyone from Patti Larkin to Aretha Franklin, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Shawn Colvin, Ellis Paul and Bill Cosby to name a few.
July 29, Michael Hill’s Blues Mob,
"
New York City blues” he calls his music, but the guitarist, with his drummer and his bass man, can play any style blues, and play it REALLY well. Their cutting edge, premier contemporary original music with bold, passionate singing and musicianship and engaging stage presence brings excitement and energy to crowds. They have performed for audiences nationally that includes the Chicago Blues Festival and Memphis In May, as well as internationally in England, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France, Norway to name a few.
On August 7, a special concert addition, Rock the Hill, an outdoor component of the successful Rock the House at The Baird, features local guitar heroes who will bring live rock n’ roll back to the community. This performance will be from 6-10 pm with the rainsite at The Baird,
5 Mead Street, South
Orange.
Local restaurants are available for your dining ease, rain or shine! Concerts are presented by South Orange Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs and are free to the general public. For more information call (973)378-7754 or online at www.thebaird.org. 
