Essex County, NJ –Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. invites the public to visit the Essex County Parks System and enjoy the 2022 Essex County Free Summer Music Concert Series. Upcoming events feature concerts by The Kootz, Apex Ensemble & the Montclair Orchestra, Brazilian Experience and The Discoteks.

 

“Our Free Concert Series offers a diverse lineup of performers who will take center stage in venues throughout our historic Essex County Park System. Pack a blanket, enjoy the cool evening breeze and dance to the sounds of classical, rock and roll, jazz, big band, Latin and more,” DiVincenzo said.

 

The band started out in the 1990s as a loose group that performed informally and officially became The Kootz in 2002. They perform covers of classic rock, pop and blues tunes from the late 1950s through the 1990s, staying true to why they originally started playing together. With many band members older than 50, their credo has become “Rock and Roll with Fiber.” The Koots will perform as follows:

 

 

 

In 2016, The Montclair Orchestra was launched as an innovative orchestral program, with extraordinary music conservatory students awarded fellowships to train alongside professional mentors from world-renowned orchestras. Restyled as APEX in 2021, this exclusive program has provided training for over 150 students from The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes School of Music, Montclair State University, New York University, Rutgers University and others. Under the baton of Music Director David Chan, the concertmaster for the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York, this unprecedented learning environment provides an electric and unforgettable experience for musicians and audiences alike. Apex Ensemble and The Montclair Orchestra will perform as follows:

 

 

The 2022 Essex County Summer Concert Series continues with a performance by Brazilian Experience in Essex County Independence Park in Newark. It will be held as follows:

 

 

The Discoteks are the hottest 1970s disco show band on the East Coast. The band will have the audience on their feet dancing and singing along with energy that is off the charts! Take a trip back to the days when dance clubs such as Studio 54 were packed and the music of Kool and the Gang, Chic, The Village People, The OJs, KC and the Sunshine band and so many others filled the dance floor. Get out your bellbottoms and your platform shoes and boogie down to the greatest music everyone will enjoy. The Discoteks will perform as follows:

 

 

The SummerMusic Concert Series is being sponsored by Rose Squared Productions and The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. The series is also made possible, in part, by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State.

 

Concerts are held at 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. Admission to the concerts is free. For more information, please call the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs at 973‑268-3500.