“…the South Orange Performing Arts Center’s spectacular sound design rendered the material nearly sumptuous…” -Rolling Stone Magazine
Bob Mould is one of Indie Rock’s strongest talents who began his career as one of the angry upstarts of the hardcore punk scene, and over several decades has matured into one of the elder statesmen of Alternative Rock without giving up his integrity, his intelligence or the fierce passion of his best music.
Whether Billy Hector is teasing you with his sultry slide guitar work, picking through Delta Blues or flat-out cranking it up and crunching out the Electric Blues/Rock on his beloved vintage Fender Stratocaster, his music reflects the true soul and origins of the Blues.
A historic night of Blues, Roots and Rock and Roll with three of the most prolific guitarists in the world: Jim Weider (The Band), G.E. Smith (SNL / Roger Waters band) and Larry Campbell (Bob Dylan / Levon Helm band). Lincoln Schleifer and Josh Dion join the three masters to play tunes from Roy Buchanan, Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Stevie Winwood, Bo Diddley, the Rolling Stones and more.
Three renowned Singer-Songwriters take the stage in both individual and collective performances. The Exile Follies sprang from a mutual desire among John Doe, Kristin Hersh and Grant-Lee Phillips to approach a tour in a different kind of way. It was 2002 and the three, although very different from one another, found some interesting musical crossroads between them that continues almost two decades later.
Experience the unique syncopated sounds of Jazz with rising young Juilliard Jazz artists, under the leadership of American virtuoso trumpeter, composer and teacher Wynton Marsalis.
The Village Voice has called Dave Stryker “one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years.”
Back for the third time with top-flight and passionate chamber music playing, the Brooklyn Chamber Music Society comes to us with a warm-hearted program, right on the heels of Valentine’s day. Come celebrate with us and the music of Schubert, Schumann, Gershwin and Puccini.
Lisa Fischer has performed with the Rolling Stones, Luther Vandross, Tina Turner and Nine Inch Nails and was featured in the Oscar Award-winning documentary film, 20 Feet From Stardom. From foot-stomping rockers to delicate ballads, Gospel and Soul, this astonishing artist is capable of almost infinite emotion.
Al Gold and Andy Lackow bring their well-established Blues Jam House Bands to SOPAC for a special Blues in the Loft double bill.
A spirited "Celt-grass" family band from Galway, Ireland, We Banjo 3 delivers a crowd-pleasing fusion of traditional Irish music, Celtic Bluegrass and Americana that continues to reach freshly dizzying heights.
The New York Times has called Willie Nile “one of the most gifted Singer-Songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years.” Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townshend, Lou Reed and Little Steven are among those who have sung his praises.
An undisputed expert in the fine art of making hit music, Jim Messina’s legacy of musical genius spans five decades, three super groups, a vibrant solo career and scores of producing and engineering credits.
The Smithereens’ take no prisoners sound, reflecting their Garden State roots, has resonated with fans worldwide over the course of 17 albums and 2,500+ live shows. Best known for writing and playing catchy 1960s-influenced Power Pop that inspired countless Alternative rockers including Kurt Cobain, The Smithereens gained popularity with their irresistibly catchy hooks and rapturously fuzzed-out guitars.
The Stylistics are known for their many recognizable hits such as the Grammy Award-nominated “You Make Me Feel Brand New” plus numerous classics including “Can’t Give You Anything (But My Love),” “Let’s Put It All Together,” “Stop Look Listen,” “You Are Everything” and more. The Stylistics remain the real deal, fabulously entertaining and musically breathtaking with the hits that made them a household name.
Two celebrated singer-songwriters return together to the SOPAC stage. Lucy Kaplansky is a rare vocal talent, “a truly gifted performer…full of enchanting songs” (The New York Times). Richard Shindell is a writer whose songs paint pictures, tell stories, juxtapose ideas and images, inhabit characters, vividly evoking entire worlds along the way and expanding our sense of just what it is a song can be.
Winner of The Juilliard School's 2019 Leo B. Ruiz Carnegie Hall Recital Prize, 24-year old American Mackenzie Melemed has been hailed by the New York Times as “an excellent young pianist.”
Vince Ector has worked with Jazz luminaries that include NEA Jazz Masters and is in high demand as a recording musician and as a performer at Jazz festivals throughout the world.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with nine-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion and music star of Riverdance, Eileen Ivers. Eileen will change the way you think about the fiddle and about Celtic music!
Celebrate the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth with an evening of sonatas performed by world-renowned pianist and Beethoven interpreter, Jonathan Biss. Program to feature Sonatas Op. 10, No. 1, Op. 14, Nos. 1 and 2 and the great Hammerklavier.
Fronted by Shaun Hague (Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Amos Lee, John Waite), Journeyman has become the #1 tribute to Rock and Blues guitar hero Eric Clapton. With more than 50 years of music to choose from, Journeyman covers it all – “Layla,” “Badge,” “The Core,” “White Room,” “Lay Down Sally,” “Tulsa Time,” “Cocaine” and many more.
One of the most innovative and creative musicians in the world today, David Broza brings together audiences of all cultures, bridging barriers of language and genre through his music. He is joined by Cuban “Trio Havana” with Jorge Bringas, Manuel Alejandro Carro and Yuniel Jiminez as well as special guest and flute virtuoso Itai Kriss. Together they bring a unique interpretation to the full spectrum of Broza’s rich repertoire of hits.
Rob Paparozzi has been touring the world since 2000 with the Original Blues Brothers Band, bringing his unique style to eager audiences everywhere.
A celebration of the intersection of Jazz and Broadway featuring Seton Hall University alumni and students of Jazz and of musical theatre, Jazz Meets Broadway will highlight music from the Great American Songbook.
World-renowned guitarist Stanley Jordan has developed a new live show called “Stanley Jordan Plays Jimi.” Stanley explains it as, “This is my fantasy Jimi Hendrix concert if Jimi were still alive and playing today. By re-imagining his music and channeling his persona I try to bring that fantasy to life.”
KT Tunstall broke into the public eye in 2004 with "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree.” She's had much success since, picking up three nominations before winning a BRIT Award and a Grammy Award nomination. She is also the recipient of an Ivor Novello Award for her self-penned hit “Suddenly I See."
Damien Escobar sits at the intersection of Hip-Hop and Classical music. His classic yet edgy style comes complete with an unstoppable swagger that has helped propel his career from playing the violin in NYC subways to performing for President Barack Obama, Former President George W. Bush, the royal family of Dubai, Oprah Winfrey and many more.
One of the most impressive guitarists to emerge from the rich Bayous of Southern Louisiana in recent years, Tab Benoit’s guitar tone can be recognized before his Otis Redding-ish voice resonates from the speakers.
A fun-filled, sidesplitting and dazzlingly glamorous sing-along! Celebrating the divas of today and yesteryear, the female and genderqueer artists we’ve looked up to our whole lives, the show abounds with glorious singers who gave our dreams wings. Think karaoke with glitter, feathers and fabulous singing, as the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus divas come into their own onstage.
American violinist Stella Chen has been praised by the Wall Street Journal as a “rising star to watch” and Strad Magazine for her “warm sound and long musical lines.”
New Orleans-born Aaron Neville brings his unmistakable sound, heard in classic ballads like “Tell It Like It Is” and “Don’t Know Much” – his hit duo with Linda Ronstadt – to the intimate SOPAC stage in an evening of sublime artistry. Slipping easily from Funky to R&B and Soul, Aaron Neville is surely one of the most distinctive vocal stylists of all time.
A consummate multi-talented entertainer and performer, Ty Stephens has performed around the world, gaining an international audience with a cool, urban-tinged adult-contemporary sound, based on Jazz, Funk and R&B.
Take in the music of the Seton Hall University Concert Band and Chamber Orchestra in this annual Spring celebration, led by accomplished director Jason Tramm.
Blues People is a Blues mega-band featuring some of the most talented tour veterans you’ll ever see on one stage – Gene Lake, Kelton Cooper, Victor Burks, Mike Griot and special guests Tony Orbach and James Gibbs.
Join the Seton Hall choral program to celebrate the Spring season with songs of warmth and joy, led by accomplished director Jason Tramm.
A multi-platinum selling recording artist and seven-time Grammy Award nominee, Joan Osborne is a soulful vocalist who has performed alongside many notable artists, including Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Luciano Pavarotti, Emmylou Harris and Mavis Staples, to name a few.
Richie Furay performs his “Farewell” shows at select venues around the country. He’ll be playing songs from his catalog of classic POCO, Buffalo Springfield, Souther-Hillman-Furay and some recently recorded music . Come celebrate Richie’s retirement from headline touring at SOPAC.
If you missed Led Zeppelin live in the 70s or are looking to relive the “Hammer of the Gods” phenomenon, you must experience what The St. Petersburg Times calls “the most exacting of the Zeppelin tribute bands in existence.”
No fancy tricks, no gimmicks, just five musicians recreating the music of Fleetwood Mac to perfection with note for note renditions that no other Fleetwood Mac tribute on the touring scene today can come close to duplicating.
Melding Rock, Blues, Tex-Mex, Mexican Folk and more Los Lobos scored their first hit with Ritchie Valens iconic “La Bamba.”
