The Trenton Downtown Association and the African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County have announced the return of the Levitt AMP Trenton Music Series this summer. The free 10-concert series features a lineup of local, regional, and national artists representing a wide range of musical styles.
Since 2015, the Levitt AMP Trenton Music Series has infused downtown Trenton with world-class music, inspiring residents of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy multilayered arts experiences in the heart of the historic capital city.
The Levitt AMP Trenton Music Series is supported in part by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, which partners with towns and cities across America to activate underused public spaces through the power of free live music, creating welcoming, inclusive destinations.
The series kicks off with a special performance of the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey, under the baton of its music director Daniel Spalding, at Cadwalader Park, on Saturday, July 9, at 7 p.m.
On the following Saturday, July 16, the music series moves to Unity Square Park for one show only, which will feature Swing Sabroso. The remaining eight concerts will be held at Mill Hill Park, in the heart of downtown Trenton, where they have been held in the past.
New this year is a schedule of events that includes family activities from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Mill Hill Park and Unity Square Park locations. Artists will hit the stage following an afternoon of food trucks, food vendors, kids’ activities, and more.
“To present the best possible experience, we surveyed our community to determine the most popular days and times for summer concerts, as well as requested genres,” says Anne LaBate, TDA board treasurer. “We found that people preferred Saturdays over Thursdays, for example. Maybe the biggest change, certainly one that we are excited about, is the addition of more family-focused activities before the concerts.”
“We look forward to greeting our neighbors and friends while building community through the power of music,” says Latarsha Burke, CEO and executive director of the African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County.
All concerts are free, and the public is invited 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.
The schedule is as follows:
Saturday, July 9, 7 p.m. The Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey at Cadwalader Park, 36 Parkside Avenue, Trenton.
Now in its ninth season, the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey, under the baton of its music director Maestro Daniel Spalding, provides Trenton and its surrounding communities with a locally based, high-quality professional symphony orchestra.
Saturday, July 16, 5 p.m. Swing Sabroso, Unity Square Park, Hamilton Avenue between Chestnut Avenue and Division Street, Trenton.
Swing Sabroso combines the sounds of today with the nostalgia of yesterday, with tempos and arrangements from inspired craftsmen and revered guests.
Saturday, July 23, 5 p.m. Winard Harper, Mill Hill Park, East Front Street and South Broad Street, Trenton.
Winard Harper, a true virtuoso on the drums, has performed with such greats as Dexter Gordon, Betty Carter, Johnny Griffin, Ray Bryant and Carmen McRae, to name a few. Director Damien Chazelle cited Winard Harper as the inspiration for his Academy Award-nominated film “Whiplash.”
Sunday, July 31, 5 p.m. Will Power Funk Band (willpowerfunk.com) at Mill Hill Park.
Fun and funk will be on the bill with the Will Power Funk Band and The Renaissance Band on July 31. The Will Power Funk Band was conceived out of a love for the music of Tower of Power and an appreciation of the funk music genre.
Saturday, August 6, 5 p.m. Madame Pat Tandy at Mill Hill Park
New Jersey pride continues when Newark’s own Madame Pat Tandy hits 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 the popular R&B recording group The Pretenders, who had several hits on Carnival Records. She has toured abroad in Japan, Italy, Switzerland and Russia.
Saturday, August 13, 5 p.m. Malidelphia at Mill Hill Park.
The unique sound of Malidelphia will be in the spotlight at the August 13 show. The folkloric 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 Afropop.
Saturday, August 20, 5 p.m. Kenny Bobien – House Music 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 for the past decade. The New Jersey native has had an impressive string of releases, including the motion picture soundtrack “Hanging with the Homeboys,” and has performed with such R&B legends as Teddy Pendergrass, Celine Dion, Taylor Dayne and Jennifer Holiday.
Saturday, August 27, 5 p.m. ADH at Mill Hill Park.
ADH is a lyricist who combines elements of Afrobeat, African percussions, jazz and hip-hop to create his signature sound. ADH calls this unique fusion of culture and sound Afro-hop. The song “Man Dem” elevated him to new heights as it was featured on Okay Africa, Heavy Hitters playlist, Shade 45 and many other national and international platforms.
Saturday, September 10, 5 p.m. Alex Parchment at Mill Hill Park.
A triple bill of jazz artists will be on tap for September 10 when our headliner, trumpet player Alex Parchment, is joined by the James E. White Band, and international jazz and R&B vocalist Jackie Greggs and her band.
Trumpet player Alex Parchment, who records as part of the traditional group The Alex Parchment Quintet, is also part of an experimental soul-funk-hip-hop-jazz group called AP Chemistry, and has worked as a sideman with artists including Christian McBride, David Sanborn, Chick Corea and others.
Saturday, September 17, 5 p.m. Ariacne Trujillo Duran at Mill Hill Park.
Rounding out the incredible lineup of the 2022 Levitt AMP Trenton Music Series will be Grammy nominee Ariacne Trujillo Duran on September 17. Born in Havana, Cuba, she began her career as a child prodigy. Blessed with perfect pitch, she’s had an extensive career as a concert pianist, vocalist and composer. At age 14, Ariacne was chosen to perform with Matanzas and Santiago de Cuba’s symphonic orchestra. While working as a lead singer and pianist at the legendary Cabaret Tropicana, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in music piano performance from Cuba’s hyper-competitive ISA Conservatory. In 2002 she arrived in New York City after winning a residency fellowship in musical composition at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. She was the lead vocalist and pianist with The Pedrito Martínez Group for more than five years.
For more information, visit www.trenton-downtown.com/levitt-amp-trenton.
