Hoboken Public Library presents Garden State Jazz Greats – Sonny Greer Listening Session – July 6th at 6:30pm

Come and join Jazz scholar Ben Young as he explores the majesty, style, and genius of New Jersey’s own jazz greats. Many of these names you may already know and all of them you should know as each of these innovators have left their indelible imprint on world culture through the great African American creation of Jazz.

Ben Young will discuss the lives and contributions of each of these home state heroes along with the musical and historical context to help illustrate what made each of their unique and singular artistic visions have such an impact.

July's featured artist will be drummer and Long Branch native Sonny Greer. While Mr. Greer may not be a household name, his artistry has been heard by millions as he held the drum chair in the Duke Ellington Orchestra from the very beginning. Listen to almost any of Ellington's classic recordings and you hear the distinctive and masterful drumming of Sonny Greer. We'll explore Mr. Greer’s recordings both with the Ellington Orchestra and outside it as well.