All This Jazz Kicks Off Season Two with Music, Culture, and Community in Paterson
October 31, 2026
Watch our short reel from October’s show
Afro-Venezuelan rhythms, contemporary jazz, and enthusiastic applause filled NJCDC’s Rogers Hall on Friday, October 23, as All This Jazz opened its second season with acclaimed pianist Gabriel Chakarji and his trio, joined by a special guest percussionist. Longtime jazz fans and first-time listeners, families, neighbors, and visitors gathered for an evening of live music, cultural discovery, and community.
Presented by NJCDC in partnership with Paterson-based arts organization Prototype 237, All This Jazz is a free monthly concert series bringing accomplished artists to Paterson’s Great Falls Neighborhood. Following a successful inaugural season, the series returns with an expanded lineup of local, regional, and internationally acclaimed performers.
An Evening of Rhythm, Storytelling, and Connection
Pianist and composer Gabriel Chakarji, who has performed at Carnegie Hall, Blue Note, and Dizzy’s Club, blends Venezuelan traditions with jazz, improvisation, and international influences.
Chakarji’s trio featured bassist Ben Tiberio and drummer Alon Benjamini, with special guest percussionist Yilmer Vivas. Together, they delivered a wide-ranging set drawing on Argentine, Brazilian, and other traditions.
Throughout the concert, Chakarji shared stories about the compositions, influences, and instruments behind his music, some of them quite personal. One piece, exploring life’s cycles, was inspired by a past relationship. These stories deepened the audience’s appreciation of the music and created an intimate, conversational atmosphere. Vivas introduced an array of traditional percussion instruments and rhythms that captivated listeners.
The audience responded enthusiastically: nearly everyone remained for the entire performance, and each piece drew hearty applause. Laughter punctuated the evening, and energetic passages prompted spontaneous cheers. At the end, each musician received extended applause, and many attendees stayed afterward to meet the performers. For Chakarji, the evening also carried a local connection: his former music teacher, a Paterson resident, attended to support him.
More Than a Concert: Food, Crafts, and Community
Beyond the stage, guests connected over food and art.
Local entrepreneur Yessenia, owner of Glamarahi, served Venezuelan specialties, including arepas, empanadas, and fresh juices. An arts and crafts station invited children and adults alike to try their hand at collage-making, with additional creative activities planned for future concerts.
Together, these experiences reflect All This Jazz’s mission: making live music accessible and creating a welcoming space for neighbors, families, and visitors to connect and discover something new.
What’s Next: A Season of Global Sounds
Friday’s concert, an extension of Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, marked the first of three special cultural celebrations this season.
In February, the series will celebrate Black History Month with Winard Harper & Jeli Posse, led by acclaimed drummer and percussionist Winard Harper. Incorporating instruments such as the West African balafon, Harper connects jazz with African musical traditions.
In April, the Arab American Heritage Month concert will feature Firas Zreik, an internationally recognized Palestinian-born musician whose work with the kanun — a traditional Middle Eastern string instrument — blends Arabic musical traditions with contemporary jazz and improvisation.
The season continues on Friday, November 20, with two student ensembles from William Paterson University’s renowned jazz program, followed by A Real Human Jazz Band on December 11 and Billy Carrión's Higher Standards on January 22. The season continues in March with French harmonica virtuoso Yvonnick Prené, then cross-cultural ensemble Baklava Express in May and punk-jazz trio Joy on Fire in June.
Community members can also get involved by applying to perform as an opening musician or poet, participating as a food or merchandise vendor, or volunteering to support the series.
Building Paterson’s Cultural Future
For NJCDC, All This Jazz is part of a broader commitment to expanding arts and cultural opportunities in Paterson.
“When we talk about building a stronger neighborhood, we’re not just talking about housing, schools, and parks — we’re also talking about the arts and the opportunities people have to come together,” said NJCDC Founder and CEO Bob Guarasci. “All This Jazz is a wonderful example of how we’re working to make Paterson a place where everyone can experience great music, connect with their neighbors, and take pride in their community.”
The series builds on the city’s rich musical history while cultivating new audiences, supporting artists, and strengthening the Great Falls Neighborhood as a destination for arts and culture. That vision also extends to NJCDC’s planned Great Falls Arts Center, which will transform the historic First Presbyterian Church on Main Street into a center for performing arts, creative education, and cultural programming. If Friday’s enthusiastic audience was any indication, Paterson is ready for the music still to come.
Reserve Your Free Seat
All This Jazz continues with free concerts at Rogers Hall, 32 Spruce Street in Paterson, through June 2027. Doors open at 6:30 PM, with performances beginning at 7:00 PM. Advance tickets are required, and seating is limited.