James Just, a local singer, will be a featured guest at the Seventh Annual Musical Potpourri on Feb. 10 in the Elms Senior Building.
Just, who is a senior at New Jersey City University with a minor in music, said he will present a mixed program of Broadway tunes and classical pieces. Just is the grand nephew of former mayor Anthony Just.
Just, a seasoned performer since he was 6 years old, has been performing locally over the last few summers.
“I’ve done quite a few town functions including performances at the Summer Concert in the Park series,” he said.
Just is the leader of song at the Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Jersey City. He was recently appointed assistant artistic director at the Musica Carmelite series at the church. He has also performed in Union City’s Park Theater Passion Play, as well as Secaucus High School’s performances of The Wizard of Oz and Oliver. He also played with the State Paul’s Players production of Fame in Paterson, and sings with the University Choir at NJCU as well as college productions of Grease and Mozart’s Magic Flute. He has appeared at Carnegie Hall with the Oratoria Singers of Westfield.
The event will be led by Patricia Brady-Danzig. Brady-Danzig was music director at the Immaculate Conception Church in Secaucus from 1980 to 1997. She lived a kind of double life, recording records as an internationally renowned and respected soprano. Over the course of her career, she managed to travel to more than 11 countries. Originally from Albany, she gave her recital debut in Carnegie Hall in 1976, an event reviewed byThe New York Times – which commented on the “sweetness and purity of tone.” Although she specialized in Irish folk music, she has performed a variety of works covering many national heritages. She was especially popular in Romania where she raised funds for orphanages and organized cultural exchanges with America. In 1995, Town Hall named her an honorary citizen of Secaucus even though she lived in South Orange.
After retiring from her position in the church, she spread her wings touring places like Italy, Mexico and Ireland when she is not releasing her cache of CDs. Several years ago, Caldwell College named its musical resource center after her, and she has appeared on a variety of national television shows.
Each year, however, this classically trained soprano has made the trip back to Secaucus to celebrate some of her musical roots. For several years after her retiring from the church in 1997, she returned to Secaucus to conduct musical classes at Secaucus Adult School exploring musical genres from pop to classical. Since then, she has provided a one-afternoon program at The Elms to entertain for senior citizens.
Just said he was involved with the church choir while Brady-Danzig was still the director.
“She got wind of my singing this year and asked me to join her at the event,” Just said.
Brady-Danzig had recalled Just fondly from their church days together.
“James was always prepared for his Sunday cantoring,” she said. “[He] was a poised, prompt participant in ICC’s far-reaching music program.”
The event, open to senior citizens, features dancing, community singing and musical stories for two hours of what Brady Danzig calls “musical fun.” Valentine Refreshments will be served.
The event will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Elms Community Room. The Elms is located on Fifth Street between Centre Avenue and Front Street.