“Holiday Jazz” Concert – The James Austin, Jr. Trio & Vocalist Alicia Renee

A production of St. Luke’s Church and Metuchen Jazz - Friends of Metuchen Arts.

James Austin grew up in Chicago playing in church and studying classical piano for a while before developing a strong love for jazz music in high school and college. Austin was a semifinalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition and has played for jazz, R&B and gospel artists such as Ledisi and Brian McKnight. His respect for the music of Stevie Wonder grew into Austin’s recording Songs in the Key of Wonder, a straight-ahead jazz album featuring some of Wonder’s biggest hits and album cuts. James honed his craft while studying under the tutelage of legendary pianist Barry Harris, one of the great jazz educators.

Host or Publisher Friends of Metuchen Arts