(TRENTON, NJ) — The Trenton Downtown Association and the African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County announced that the Levitt AMP Trenton Music Series 2022 returns to downtown Trenton this summer. The free 10-concert series will feature a lineup of local, regional and national artists representing a wide range of musical styles.
The series kicks off with a special performance by the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey, under the direction of its Music Director Maestro Daniel Spalding, at Cadwalader Park on Saturday, July 9 at 7:00 p.m. The following Saturday, July 16, the musical series moves to Unity Square Park for a single show, which will feature Swing Sabroso. The remaining eight concerts will take place at Mill Hill Park in the heart of downtown Trenton, where they have been held in the past. New this year is a calendar of events that includes family activities from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Mill Hill Park and Unity Square Park locations. Performers will take the stage after an afternoon of food trucks, food vendors, kids’ activities and more.
Since 2015, the Levitt AMP Trenton Music Series, now presented by both the Trenton Downtown Association and the African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County, has infused downtown Trenton with world-class music, inspiring residents of all ages and from all walks of life to enjoy artistic experiences on many levels. in the heart of the historic capital.
Saturday July 9 – The New Jersey Capital Philharmonic Orchestra at Cadwalader Park. Now in its ninth season, the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey, under the direction of its Music Director Maestro Daniel Spalding, provides Trenton and its surrounding communities with a professional, high-quality, locally based symphony orchestra. Cadwalader Park is located at 36 Parkside Avenue in Trenton.
Saturday July 16 – Sabroso swing at Unity Square Park. Swing Sabroso combines the sounds of today with the nostalgia of yesterday, with tempos and arrangements from inspired artisans and revered guests. Unity Square Park is located on Hamilton Avenue between Chestnut Avenue and Division Street in Trenton.
Saturday July 23 – Winard Harper at Mill Hill Park. Winard Harper, a true drumming virtuoso, has played with greats like Dexter Gordon, Betty Carter, Johnny Griffin, Ray Bryant and Carmen McRae, to name a few. Director Damien Chazelle has cited Winard Harper as the inspiration for his Oscar-nominated film “Whiplash.” Mill Hill Park is located at E. Front Street and S. Broad Street in Trenton.
Sunday July 31 – Will Power Funk Band at Mill Hill Park. Fun and funk will be on view with the Will Power Funk Band and the Renaissance Band on July 31. The Will Power Funk Band was formed out of a love for the music of Tower of Power and an appreciation for the funk music genre.
Saturday August 6 – Mrs. Pat Tandy at Mill Hill Park. The pride of New Jersey continues when Madame Pat Tandy of Newark takes the stage on August 6. Widely known as the “First Lady of New Jersey Jazz,” Madame Pat Tandy has been singing professionally since the 1970s, including a long stint with popular R&B recording. group The Pretenders, which had several hits on Carnival Records. She has toured overseas in Japan, Italy, Switzerland and Russia.
Saturday August 13 – Malidelphia at Mill Hill Park. Malidelphia’s unique sound will be featured on the August 13 show. The folk performance art ensemble of African and African-American artists, singers and dancers uses their music to connect Malian and Philadelphian cultural art forms, such as jazz, blues and music. afropop.
Saturday August 20 – Kenny Bobien at Mill Hill Park. Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer Kenny Bobien has been a major influence on the R&B dance music scene over the past decade. The New Jersey native has had an impressive string of releases, including the soundtrack to the movie “Hanging with the Homeboys,” and performed with R&B legends like Teddy Pendergrass, Celine Dion, Taylor Dayne and Jennifer Holiday.
Saturday August 27 – DHA at Mill Hill Park. ADH is a lyricist who combines elements of Afrobeat, African drumming, jazz and hip-hop to create his signature sound. ADH calls this unique fusion of culture and sound Afro-hop. The song “Man Dem” took him to new heights as he was featured on Okay Africa, Heavy Hitters playlist, Shade 45 and many other national and international platforms.
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Saturday September 10 – Alex Parchment at Mill Hill Park. A triple roster of jazz artists will be on tap on September 10 when our headliner, trumpeter Alex Parchment, will be joined by the James E. White Band, and international jazz and R&B singer Jackie Greggs and his group. Trumpeter Alex Parchment, who records as part of the mainstream band The Alex Parchment Quintet, is also part of an experimental soul-funk-hip-hop-jazz band called AP Chemistry, and has worked as a sideman with artists such as Christian McBride, David Sanborn, Chick Corea and others.
Saturday September 17 – Ariane Trujillo Duran at Mill Hill Park. Rounding out the incredible lineup for the Levitt AMP Trenton 2022 music series is Grammy-nominated Ariacne Trujillo Duran on September 17. Born in Havana, Cuba, she began her career as a child prodigy. Endowed with a perfect ear, she had a long career as a concert pianist, singer and composer. At 14, Ariacne was chosen to perform with the Symphony Orchestra of Matanzas and Santiago de Cuba. While working as a lead singer and pianist at the legendary Cabaret Tropicana, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in piano music performance from Cuba’s highly competitive ISA Conservatory. In 2002, she arrived in New York after having obtained a residence grant in musical composition at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. She was the main singer and pianist of the group Pedrito Martínez for more than five years.
“To provide the best possible experience, we surveyed our community to determine the most popular days and times for summer concerts, as well as the genres in demand,” says Anne LaBate, TDA Board Treasurer. and President, Segal LaBate Commercial Real Estate. “We found that people preferred Saturday to Thursday, for example. Perhaps the biggest change, certainly the one we’re excited about, is the addition of more family-oriented activities before the concerts, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All concerts are FREE and the public is welcome to bring their own picnics, blankets and lawn chairs. Free parking is available at the Liberty Commons Garage at 16 East Front Street in downtown Trenton.
“We look forward to greeting our neighbors and friends while building community through the power of music,” said Latarsha Burke, CEO/Executive Director of the African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County.
The Levitt AMP Trenton Music Series is supported in part by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, which partners with cities and towns across America to activate underutilized public spaces through the power of free live music, creating welcoming and inclusive destinations . Local sponsors include NJM Insurance Company, as well as support from the City of Trenton and the Mercer County Park Commission
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