Music and Fireworks at Essex County Parks

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. invites the public to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks displays and musical performances by the U.S. Military Academy Band from West Point in Brookdale Park and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra in Branch Brook Park in Newark.   

The 2011 Summer Music Concert Series also features Rhythm and Blues performances by the Don Carter Quintet and Lonnie Youngblood. Below is a guide to what’s coming up. And save the date of August 2 when Jersey Sound returns to  at 7 p.m. to play oldies but goodies.

House Music Festival 

Date:               Saturday, June 25

Time:              noon to 8 p.m.

Place:             Essex County Weequahic Park, Meeker Street,  Newark                                          

R&B by the Don Carter Quintet 

Date:               Tuesday, June 28

Time:              7 p.m.

Place:             Essex County Veterans Memorial Park, West Market Street, Newark                                              

R&B by Lonnie Youngblood 

Date:               Wednesday, June 29

Time:              7 p.m.

Place:             Essex County Irvington Park, Lyons Avenue, Irvington                                             

The U.S. Military Academy Band and Fireworks Spectacular

Date:               Friday, July 1

Time:              7:30 p.m.

Place:             Brookdale Park, Watchung/BellevueAvenue, Bloomfield 

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and Fireworks Display 

Date:               Tuesday, July 5

Time:              7:30 p.m.

Place:             Essex County Branch Brook Park, The Great Lawn, Heller Parkway, Newark

Free Admission to all concerts.

About the Music

The U.S. Military Academy Band 

 The 48-member is a direct descendant of the small "Band of Musick" at West Point in 1817. One of the finest military bands in the world, the band recently received the Colonel George S. Howard Citation of Musical Excellence for Military Concert Bands.  The West Point Band has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Tanglewood and the Meyerson Symphony Center. In April 2009, its members performed the National Anthem at the first home game in the new Yankee Stadium.

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra 

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, led by Conductor Gerald Steichen, will perform music from the stage and screen, including John Williams’ score for The Cowboys, Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, Smetana’s The Moldau and patriotic favorites. Soloists from Opera New Jersey will perform, including soprano Heather Johnson and baritone Marco Nistico. 

R&B by Lonnie Youngblood

Lonnie Youngblood fuses folk, gospel, jazz and pop music into a unique blend of emotion and technical study. Youngblood has released four albums in the last four years, including "In the Garden," "Count Your Blessings," "In the Garden II," and "Unforgettable." He started his music career in Georgia and began his professional music career in Newark. In 1966, as the leader of his own band, Youngblood hired a guitarist Jimmy James, who later would become the world-renowned Jimi Hendrix.

Concerts are held at handicapped-accessible sites. Persons who require special accommodations or assistance are asked to call at least two weeks prior to the concert to alert staff as to their needs.

For more information, please call the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs at 973‑239-2485. TDD # 711. Admission to the concerts is free.