Step into a world of swinging sophistication with John Pizzarelli, the Grammy-winning guitarist and vocalist hailed for “reinvigorating the Great American Songbook and re-popularizing jazz” (Boston Globe). With a career spanning four decades, Pizzarelli is celebrated for his inventive interpretations of classic standards, Broadway gems, and pop icons—from Sinatra and Nat King Cole to Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, and the Beatles.

John Pizzarelli

South Orange Performing Arts Center

The two greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands of all time face off for Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown. Taking the side of the Fab Four is Abbey Road, one of the country’s top Beatles tribute bands. With brilliant musicianship and authentic costumes and gear, Abbey Road plays beloved songs spanning the Beatles’ career. They engage in a musical “showdown” of the hits against premier Stones tribute band Satisfaction – The International Rolling Stones Show, who offer a faithful rendition of the music and style of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and the bad boys of the British Invasion.

Beatles vs. Stones

Step into a roaring, joy-filled celebration with “one of the best jazz bands in NY today” (Forbes). Fueled by the belief that classic jazz feeds the heart and soul, The Hot Sardines are on a mission to make old sounds new again, blending brassy horn arrangements, rollicking piano, and transporting vocals into a sound that’s both timeless and irresistibly fresh.

The Hot Sardines

Celebrate the timeless music of The Band with The THE BAND Band, the nation’s premier tribute act dedicated to bringing their iconic sound to life.

The Last Waltz Celebration

Podcast link: https://youtu.be/4hagYvrYbuM

The Artelize Podcast and Kasper Holten - Pedefining Opera for the modern world

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d36M5Hi6O80

The Artelize Podcast - A legacy of innovation in Opera: Celebrating Marc A. Scorca

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59E40S_EQSY

The Artelize Podcast: A love letter that was never sent

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THv6htilWtI

The Artelize Podcast and Adolfo Corrado: Mediterranean flavors, opera and social media

Cindy Blackman Santana is a virtuoso drummer whose electrifying artistry bridges jazz, rock, and beyond. Renowned for her soulful power, creative innovation, and masterful command of rhythm, Cindy is as celebrated for her dynamic fills and nuanced colors as she is for her sheer musical force.

Cindy Blackman Santana Group

Remember Jones’ Bat Out of Hell tribute to Meat Loaf is a standout performance that showcases his incredible vocal range and theatrical flair.

Jones embodies the spirit of Meat Loaf’s larger-than-life persona.
His stage presence is commanding, engaging, and full of energy, drawing the audience into the performance.
Jones and his 15-piece band meticulously recreate the original arrangements. At the same time, they bring their unique energy and interpretation to the performances.

Remember Jones

As a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter known for his heartfelt acoustic folk music and intimate live performances, he will be amazing to see at SOPAC.

Timeless Songwriting: Crafts emotionally resonant songs that stand the test of time.
Poignant Melodies: Blends tender melodies with deeply moving, heartfelt lyrics.
Signature Style: Combines soft, fingerpicked acoustic guitar and understated vocals to create a calming, introspective atmosphere that deeply connects with listeners.

Joshua Radin

Experience the legendary artistry of Peabo Bryson, one of modern music’s premier vocalists, as he celebrates 50 years in music:

Iconic Voice: Renowned for his beautifully rich, almost operatic voice, Bryson is a two-time Grammy and two-time Academy Award winner, recognized for timeless duets like “Beauty and the Beast” (with Celine Dion) and “A Whole New World” (with Regina Belle), both Oscar-winning songs.
Chart-Topping Career: With 20+ albums, 25 Top 20 singles, and 6 #1 hits, he made history as the first artist to top four different charts, with classics like “If Ever You’re In My Arms Again,” “Can You Stop the Rain,” and “Tonight I Celebrate My Love”.
Duet Master: Famous for collaborations with Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack, Kenny G, and more, Bryson’s romantic ballads and soulful pop have made him the “King of Balladeers”.

Peabo Bryson

Get ready for a dance-fueled, genre-bending celebration with Red Baraat, Brooklyn’s pioneering ambassadors of joy and unity. This powerhouse band fuses hard-driving North Indian bhangra with hip-hop, jazz, and punk energy to create a sound hailed as “the best party band in years” (NPR) and “a big band for the world” (Wall Street Journal).

Red Baraat

Experience the jaw-dropping phenomenon of Naturally 7, the world-renowned vocal ensemble redefining what’s possible with the human voice:

Innovative: Their live shows and new album, N7@ The Movies, feature iconic movie themes from Titanic, The Sound of Music, West Side Story, Grease, Saturday Night Fever, James Bond, and more—each reimagined in Naturally 7’s electrifying style.
Vocal Play Masters: Naturally 7 transforms their voices into a full band—drums, guitars, horns, and more—creating “Vocal Play,” a style that goes beyond a cappella to deliver stunning, instrument-free performances.
Global Sensations: Hailed by Quincy Jones as “the best a cappella group in the world,” they’ve toured with Michael Bublé and shared stages with legends like Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Quincy Jones, and Coldplay.

Naturally 7

Experience the ultimate Tom Petty tribute with Petty People, a powerhouse band of New York’s finest full-time musicians dedicated to honoring Petty’s timeless Americana roots rock.

Authentic Sound: Led by Evan Kremin (vocals), with Benny Landa (guitar), Mike DiMeo (keys), and drummer for The Heartbreakers – Steve Ferrone, Petty People delivers spot-on renditions of Tom Petty’s greatest hits and deep cuts, staying true to the original arrangements and spirit.
Immersive Show: Each performance features eye-popping video projections, nostalgic images, and behind-the-scenes stories for a good-time, celebratory experience.
Cross-Generational Appeal: Petty People’s shows capture the universal, ageless appeal of Tom Petty’s music, introducing new fans while thrilling longtime devotees.

Petty People with Steve Ferrone

Prepare for an electrifying night of guitar-driven rock and roots with Masters of the Telecaster—a powerhouse trio featuring three of the world’s most prolific guitar legends: GE Smith (SNL, Roger Waters), Larry Campbell (Bob Dylan, Levon Helm Band), and Jim Weider (The Band). Backed by Lincoln Schleifer and Josh Dion, these masters deliver a historic celebration of Blues & Roots Rock & Roll, playing tunes from Roy Buchanan, Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Stevie Winwood, Bo Diddley, the Rolling Stones, and more.

Masters of the Telecaster

Get ready to move with Cimafunk, Cuba’s electrifying new global ambassador of funk. With a name honoring the Cimarrons—Africans who resisted slavery in Cuba—Cimafunk fuses Afro-Cuban rhythms, soul, and unstoppable showmanship into a genre-bending, Grammy-nominated sound that’s redefining Cuban music for the world stage.

Cimafunk

Step into the world of Emily King, the four-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter whose silky, lush vocals and magnetic stage presence have made her a standout in contemporary music.

An Evening with Emily King

Stephane Wrembel is a virtuoso guitarist hailed as “a revelation” by Rolling Stone and celebrated for reinventing gypsy jazz with a modern edge and boundless creativity. Wrembel draws deeply from the legacy of Django Reinhardt while forging his own path—blending tradition and innovation in performances that captivate audiences worldwide.

Stephane Wrembel Quartet

Experience a genre-defying musical journey with Casey Abrams & Friends, featuring Dylan Chambers and Hunter, as they bring six decades of iconic music to life: 

Casey Abrams: American Idol finalist, Postmodern Jukebox alum, and the most commercially known upright bass player in music today, Casey blends blues, jazz, soul, rock, Americana, pop, and classical in his dynamic performances. 
Dylan Chambers: A Texas-born singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer, Dylan fuses pop, soul, funk, and rock with a voice and stage presence reminiscent of Prince and Bruno Mars. 

Casey Abrams and Friends

Experience the soulful sounds of Ruben Studdard, Grammy Award nominee and beloved winner of American Idol Season 2:

Chart-Topping Artist: Ruben’s platinum-selling debut album Soulful and gospel follow-up I Need an Angel produced hits like “Flying Without Wings,” “Sorry 2004,” and “Change Me,” earning him over 2 million albums sold and a Grammy nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
Versatile Entertainer: Beyond the charts, Ruben has starred as Fats Waller in the national tour of Ain’t Misbehavin’—which led to a Grammy-nominated soundtrack—and appeared on Broadway in Ruben & Clay’s Christmas Show.
Celebrated Collaborator: Known as “The Velvet Teddy Bear,” he has toured with Clay Aiken, most recently on the 82-show Twenty The Tour celebrating their 20th anniversary since Idol.

Ruben Studdard

Experience the ultimate tribute to the Allman Brothers Band. This group is composed of musicians deeply connected to the original band, ensuring an authentic and passionate performance.

Dynamic Performances: Each night is unique, with songs from every era of the Allman Brothers Band’s career.
Deep Musical Knowledge: Performers draw from their deep understanding of the band’s history and roots, delivering performances with unrivaled depth.

Friends of the Brothers

Experience the enchanting voice of Stella Cole, a rising star in the jazz scene, known for her captivating performances and timeless style.

Timeless Sound: Stella brings a classic charm to her music, blending jazz standards with modern flair.
Viral Sensation: With over 1.6 million followers and millions of views on social media, Stella has gained recognition from celebrities like James Taylor and Michael Bublé.

Stella Cole

Don’t miss the Glenn Miller Orchestra swinging at SOPAC! Experience the live energy of the big band era upheld by an 18-piece ensemble of today’s leading soloists and arrangers. Performing hits like “Chattanooga Choo-Choo” and “Moonlight Serenade,” hidden gems like “The White Cliffs of Dover,” “Rainbow Rhapsody,” “Everybody Loves My Baby,” and “That’s Sabotage,” and many more Miller-style tunes, this high-octane outfit shares lush, engaging renditions of timeless music. Experience a hard-swinging performance that will keep you snapping and tapping through the evening.

Events in South Orange, NJ

John Pizzarelli

The South Orange Performing Arts Center

Beatles vs. Stones

The South Orange Performing Arts Center

The Hot Sardines

The South Orange Performing Arts Center

The Last Waltz Celebratio...

The Artelize Podcast and ...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast - A ...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast: A l...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast and ...

Artelize

Cindy Blackman Santana Gr...

The South Orange Performing Arts Center

Remember Jones

The South Orange Performing Arts Center

Joshua Radin

The South Orange Performing Arts Center

Peabo Bryson

The South Orange Performing Arts Center

Red Baraat

The South Orange Performing Arts Center

Naturally 7

The South Orange Performing Arts Center

Petty People with Steve F...

The South Orange Performing Arts Center

Masters of the Telecaster...

The South Orange Performing Arts Center

Cimafunk

The South Orange Performing Arts Center

An Evening with Emily Kin...

The South Orange Performing Arts Center

Stephane Wrembel Quartet

The South Orange Performing Arts Center

Casey Abrams and Friends

The South Orange Performing Arts Center

Ruben Studdard

The South Orange Performing Arts Center

Friends of the Brothers

The South Orange Performing Arts Center

Stella Cole

The South Orange Performing Arts Center

The Glenn Miller Orchestr...

The South Orange Performing Arts Center