Music of New Jersey
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The American state of New Jersey has a diverse musical culture and history reflecting its diverse population and history.
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[edit] Official symbols
New Jersey does not have a state song.[1][2]
The square dance is the "The American Folk Dance of the State of New Jersey".[3]
[edit] Popular music
Some of the most renowned modern popular musicians from New Jersey are Hoboken native Frank Sinatra, who was one of the most popular singers of the 20th century; and The Four Seasons (group) who had their first No. 1 hit record, "Sherry", in 1962. They were the first group to have a falsetto lead: Newark native, Frankie Valli. The popular group had many hits and held heir own against the British Invasion throughout the 1960s. Frankie Valli went on to a successful solo career. Connie Francis, Ricky Nelson and Leslie Gore were three other New Jersey natives who ruled the pop charts in the early '60s.
Bruce Springsteen became a 1970's icon with complex lyrical stories about teens growing up in Freehold and other economically depressed areas of New Jersey. In addition, Francis Hopkinson of Bordentown, is perhaps the first American composer. Other famous Jersey musicians include The Fugees, Whitney Houston, Jon Bon Jovi, and Kool and the Gang. George Clinton was born in Plainfield, NJ. Also, the phonograph record was invented by Thomas Edison in Menlo Park, and the Victor Talking Machine Company established its headquarters and plant in Camden.
New Jersey also contributed to the Punk Rock, New Wave and Alternative Rock genres, with such artists as Blondie, Tom Verlaine, Patti Smith, The Bongos, The Smithereens, The Bouncing Souls, My Chemical Romance, and the Misfits. The post-hardcore wave of the 90s was bred in the New Brunswick basement scene where bands such as Lifetime and Thursday originated. Heavily inspired by Springsteen and other hometown elements, Punk/Soul outfit The Gaslight Anthem also hail from New Jersey and often reference their hometown area in their lyrics ("I'll buy you that house on Cookman," "but she only smiles by the light on the Navesink Banks").
Three of the state's most famous recording artists, Frank Sinatra, Dionne Warwick and Connie Francis, share the same birth date - December 12.
[edit] Jazz
In the early 20th century, Newark was an important center for jazz innovation. James P. Johnson and other pioneers helped invent stride. Other famous New Jersey jazzmen include bandleader Count Basie, saxman Wayne Shorter, and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, who lived in Englewood from 1965 until his death in 1993. Newark was also the birthplace and home of the great jazz singer Sarah Vaughn - one of jazz's most esteemed vocalists.
Literally hundreds of Jazz albums for Blue Note Records were recorded in Alfred Lion's home studio Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
[edit] Hip hop
The Sugarhill Gang were born in Englewood, but grew up in New York City. They recorded the single "Rapper's Delight" which is often considered the first hip hop single.[citation needed]
Other New Jersey hip hop artists include Queen Latifah,P.M. Dawn, Akon, The Fugees, Trey Songz ,Naughty By Nature, Redman, K-Def, C-Fury, Def Squad, Joe Budden, Beast1333, Outlawz, Lords of the Underground, Outsidaz, Artifacts,Faith Evans, Chino XL, Jus Allah, Poor Righteous Teachers,Gee Rock & Tha Cnd Coalition,lakim shabazz
[edit] Venues & events
- Live Earth, a worldwide television and Internet-streamed benefit music event promoting causes to stop what supporters contend is global warming, took place during the spring of 2007 in the state. It used Giants Stadium in East Rutherford as the stage for its American concert venue. A wide array of performers, from a variety of music genres, took part in raising proceeds. Former Vice President Al Gore helped organize the effort.
- Asbury Park, is home of The Stone Pony, where Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes frequented early in their careers, and which is still considered by many to be a "Mecca" for up-and-coming Jersey Shore sound musicians.
- The Velvet Underground gave their first performance as a band at Summit High School in Summit, New Jersey.
- The Continental Airlines Arena is located in East Rutherford.
- Princeton Record Exchange, the Northeast's largest independent record store, was founded in 1980 and is located in Princeton, New Jersey.
- Giants Stadium is located in East Rutherford.
- City Gardens Calhoun St. Trenton, New Jersey Famous Punk venue 1978-1998.
- The Capitol Theatre in Passaic hosted a number of famous acts in the late 1970s and early 1980s, including The Clash, Motörhead, Ozzy Osbourne, Van Halen, and Bruce Springsteen.
- Palisades Amusement Park in Fort Lee/Cliffside Park staged major concerts at its famous music pavilion, featuring current pop/rock acts and teen idols, throughout the 1960s. They were hosted by then-WABC (AM) Musicradio disc jockey Cousin Brucie, a.k.a. Bruce Morrow. The attraction closed permanently in 1971. Coincidentally, the park's popularity inspired the monster 1962 rock hit, "Palisades Park," by Freddy Cannon. The tune was written by Chuck Barris, before his days as a pioneering TV game show producer.
[edit] Radio stations
Radio stations WFMU from Jersey City and WPRB from Princeton are two of the most well known independent/college radio stations in America. Newark's WBGO is one of the country's most important independent jazz stations. WRPR in Mahwah has also gained relevance for its rock programming.
[edit] References
- ^ State of New Jersey - FAQs
- ^ "Harmony still lacking in push for N.J. song", Jonathan Tamari, Philadelphia Inquirer, 15-Feb-2009, retrieved 11-Mar-2009
- ^ New Jersey State Dance, retrieved 07-Mar-2009
[edit] Sources
- Andrea Witting, (2007) All Grown Up The Movie, U.S. Chaos cited interview, extensive.
- Blush, Steven (2001). American Hardcore: A Tribal History. Los Angeles, CA: Feral House. ISBN 0-92291-571-7.
[edit] External links
- JerseyMic.com - Open mic reviews from all over New Jersey.
- Central NJ Musicians
- Jersey music.com
- The Penguin - online radio station playing all Jersey artists at night
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