Jazz: The Future of the Past

Chick Corea

Billy Hart

Dorthaan Kirk with Cyrus Chestnut

Samara Joy photographed by Meredith Truax

Jazz is a music both rooted in the past, and reaching toward the future. On a special all-jazz episode of State of the Arts, we hear from some of the greats about their love of the music: the late keyboard virtuoso and 23-time Grammy winner Chick Corea; the legendary jazz drummer, leader, and NEA Jazz Master Billy Hart; Rahsaan Roland Kirk’s widow-turned jazz ambassador, Dorthaan Kirk; and the multiple Grammy-winning chart topper still in her 20s, jazz vocalist Samara Joy.

NJ PBS

Wed, 5/14 @ 8:30 pm

Thurs, 5/15 @ 11:30 pm

Sat, 5/17 @ 7:30 pm

WNET Thirteen

Sun, 5/18 @ 11:30 am

ALL ARTS

Mon, 5/19 @ 10:30 am & 3:30 pm

Wed 5/21 @ 10 am & 3 pm

Find out where (and how) to watch!

Asian American and Pacific Islander Month

This month, we're sharing stories about Asian American and Pacific Islander artists!

Artist Maya Lin‘s 2021 installation Ghost Forest in Manhattan used Atlantic white cedars that were victims of climate change. She sourced the giant trees from the New Jersey Pine Barrens, where some forests are dying due to saltwater inundation after storm surges and rising sea-levels.

Happening Now

Join The Moving Architects in Montclair for their Work-In-Progress showing May 16! The project explores the history of the Crane House and History YWCA through dance.

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Our related story: New Jersey Ballet

The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and New Jersey Performing Arts Center celebrate poet and activist Sonia Sanchez with This is Not A Small Voice June 1.

Our related blog: Sonia Sanchez

Highlights from State of the Arts

You can see The Sister Chapel, a historic feminist artwork featured on State of the Arts, as it is a permanent installation in Rowan University's art gallery.

Our 2016 story: The Sister Chapel

Woody Guthrie spent some of his last years at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in Morris Plains. Photographer Phil Buehler documented the hospital, and tells the story of Guthrie’s time there.

Our 2014 story: Guthrie at Greystone

Catch our stories and documentaries on our website, Youtube, and PBS.org.

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Pictured: Richard Thompson

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....going on location with New Jersey's most creative people!

Producers Circle:

Pheasant Hill Foundation

Philip E. Lian & Joan L. Mueller

in memory of

Judith McCartin Scheide

Peter A. Benoliel & Willo Carey

Monica & Carlos Camin

Melanie & John Clarke

Elizabeth G. Christopherson

Hella & Scott McVay

The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, encouraging excellence and public engagement in the arts since 1966, is proud to co-produce State of the Arts with Stockton University, New Jersey's distinctive public university, in cooperation with PCK Media.

Additional support is provided by: Friends of State of the Arts

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