A diverse lineup of blues artists will perform at Jersey City’s landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre on Journal Square in the premiere event of the “Loew’s-Down Blues” Concert Series, Friday, Jan. 23 from 7:30 p.m. to 11p.m.
Performers taking the stage for the event will include Arthur Neilson, the Dave Gross Band with special guest Gina Sicilia, Enzo & The Bakers, Dennis Gruenling, Christine Santelli and guest MC Kevin Kiley.
Presented by Jersey City Magazine, the concert series’ promotional partners include the Journal Square Restoration Corporation, Friends of the Loew’s, the City of Jersey City and Square Ramp Parking. The United Jersey Blues Network is the music partner for the concert series. Media partners include The Hudson Reporter Newspapers, The Jersey Journal and WFDU-FM. The New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zone Program also provided funding for the concert series.
Acclaimed artists scheduled
The New York Times called Arthur Neilson “a fine aggressive guitarist.” Dave Gross, who often performs and records with guest artist Gina Sicilia, was nominated for a 2007 Blues Music Awards for “Take the Gamble,” touted as “one of the year’s best releases” by BluesWax. Enzo & The Bakers are known for their renditions of classic and obscure soul songs by legendary artists like Sam & Dave, James Carr and Sam Cooke.
Dennis Gruenling was awarded “Best Modern Blues Harmonica Player” for three consecutive years by Real Blues Magazine and was called “a leading light among the new generation of harp players” by Blues Review Magazine. Voted “Blues Artist of the Year (Talent deserving wider Recognition)” in Downbeat’s 46th Annual Critics Poll, Christine Santelli is an inspired songwriter and guitar player.
Vocalist and music historian Kevin Kiley is a respected performer with his band, The Out-Patients.
Built for what was then the impressive sum of $2 million dollars, the historic Loew’s Theatre opened in 1929 and was called “the most lavish temple of entertainment in New Jersey.” It was also one of the state’s biggest theatres with just under 3,100 seats, and one of the best equipped theatres of its day.
Tickets are available now for purchase online for $20 at loewsjersey.org, or at the event for $25. Tickets can also be purchased (cash or check only – no credit cards) at The Franklin Tavern, 97-99 Franklin Ave., West Orange, Ruthie’s Pizza and BBQ, 64½ Chestnut St., Montclair, the Journal Square Restoration Corporation Office, 4 PATH Plaza, Jersey City and the Hudson Reporter Office, 1400 Washington St., Hoboken.
The cost of parking for ticket holders will be reduced for the event to just $5 at Square Ramp Parking, located directly behind the theatre.
For more information call the Journal Square Restoration Corporation at 201.795.1854 or visit thenewjournalsquare.com. For more information on the theatre call the Loew’s Jersey Theatre at 201.798.6055 or visit loewsjersey.org.