Who’s playing Morristown Jazz-Blues Fest? Louis Prima Jr. headlines expanded 2023 program

The son of a legendary jump-swing bandleader, Louis Prima Jr. grew up listening to classic rock and even fronted a rock band in the 1980s "with long hair and everything."

But the excitement of his father's voice, trumpet and sizzling stage show finally caught up with him, leading to a new life on the road with a hand-picked group of elite musicians and a goal of putting the Prima family legacy back in the spotlight.

The sizzle will swing back into New Jersey this summer with the return of Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses to headline the annual Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival on the weekend of September 22-23.

"We've always felt that the Morristown crowd and that festival, period, is one of the best we play," said Prima, whose last festival appearance was in 2021. "I think the crowds are there for the music, the event, and are appreciative no matter who is onstage. They've always shown us quite a bit of love while we are there."

New for 2023: Friday evening show

The free, rain-or-shine festival lures thousands to the Morristown Green each year. For 2023, the program will expand for the first time to Friday evening (Sept. 22) at the Headquarters Plaza Pioneer Park, with the Downtown Charlie Brown Blues Band as headliners. A mainstay of the Chicago blues scene, Charles Brown is a Morristown native and a 1973 Morristown High School grad.

Jazz singer Ty Stephens and guitarist Debra Devi get the music started Friday at 5 p.m. before Brown makes his homecoming.

“We are thrilled to be able to expand the Festival to include Friday evening,” said Mayor Tim Dougherty who initiated the event in 2011. “With great jazz and hot blues, there is something for everyone’s tastes. It’s no wonder that we draw fans from more than just the metropolitan area."

Saturday's lineup

The music shifts to the Green on Saturday (Sept. 23), when the U.S. Navy’s 18-piece jazz ensemble The Commodores takes off at noon, drawing on big band charts from the Swing Era as well as newer popular favorites.

The festival will pick up a Latin beat at 2 p.m. with the Gotham City Latin Jazz Septet and Grammy-nominated drummer Richard Baratta. Another jazz ensemble, the Hot Sardines, follows at 4 p.m.

Blues guitarist Ana Popovic, who thrilled the Morristown audience in 2017, follows at 6 p.m. before Prima and company close the festival at 8 p.m.

Louis Prima Jr. headlines

"We are ecstatic to be headlining," Prima said. "I never mind opening up for anyone, but I think my band and I hold up pretty well in front of any act as far as entertainment value."

The band combines its own, "more aggressive" approach to the music of Louis Prima Sr., including such hits as “Jump Jive ‘an Wail,” “Just a Gigilo,” and “Sing Sing Sing.” The versatile ensemble also works its way through the classic rock and pop songbook, while the musicians add an element of excitement with their onstage choreography and energy.

"I always tell people you're going to get Prima and Prima Jr.," Prima said. "You're going to get a lot of surprises. I've always wanted to pay tribute to my father's music because I believe it is classic, timeless and holds up as well today as when it was first created. But as a musician, I wanted to move it forward."

"On top of that, all my band, I've hand-picked these guys to be entertainers as well," Prima added. "So you're going to get a show, and we encourage everybody to jump up and dance with us, and have a great time."

Count the mayor as a prime Prima fan.

"If anybody has earned that spot and been a staple of this festival, it's Louis Prima," Dougherty said. "He's such an entertainer, and the group is fabulous."

The Prima family also is involved with the festival on a sponsorship basis, through his mother's Gia Maione Prima Foundation. The Sherman Atlas of Florham Park is also sponsoring the performance. Other major sponsors of the festival include the Morristown Municipal Airport, Vision Real Estate Partners, Bijou Properties, Deloitte, Hampshire, the Headquarters Plaza Second Roc Jersey Association, Inglesino Webster, SJP Properties and Villa Restaurant Group.

What to bring

Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets as well as food and drink. Many local restaurants within walking distance of the Green will be offering specials for festival-goers. For more information, visit www.morristownjazzandblues.com.

William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com

Twitter: @wwesthoven

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Morristown Jazz Blues Festival 2023 adds second night, Louis Prima Jr.