Jazz great to play June 30 in Sparta

Sparta - Don Braden, outstanding jazz tenor saxophone player, will appear with his Organic Trio at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 30, at the Sparta Summer Concerts in George Dykstra Park (behind the Sparta Public Library). Braden has toured with jazz greats Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Tony Williams, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Haynes, Kenny Barron, J. J. Johnson, and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, among others, as well as with his own groups. He spent four years as composer for the CBS sitcom, Cosby, and works extensively as an educator. He is currently an adjunct instructor of jazz at William Paterson University, music director of the Litchfield Jazz Festival Summer Music School, and music director of the N.J. Performing Arts Center’s “Jazz for Teens” program. He recently signed on as part of the “N.Y. faculty” at the North Netherlands Conservatory in Groningen, Netherlands. The personnel in the Organic Trio include Kyle Koehler on Hammond organ and Cecil Brooks, III, on drums. Koehler has toured and performed with guitarist Mark Whitfield and legendary saxophonist Lou Donaldson. Brooks is one of the most productive musicians on the scene today. He has worked with countless jazz masters, led his own band, and has produced and played on over 200 recordings. His jazz club, Cecil’s, located in West Orange, serves as the home of the Don Braden Organic Trio. The Sparta Summer Concerts are held Friday evenings through the end of July. In the event of inclement weather, concerts are held in the Mohawk Avenue School auditorium (adjacent to Dystrka Park). For information on featured artists, directions, sponsorship and the finalized season program, log on to spartaarts.org. Funding for Sparta Cultural Affairs Committee events and the Sparta Summer Concerts is provided by the township and through the support of local businesses and patrons of the arts. Tax deductible donation may be sent to the Sparta Cultural Affairs Committee, 65 Main St., Sparta, NJ 07871 or can be made online at the “sponsor us” section spartaarts.org.