Fanwood Performance Series Brings Jazz Night to the Carriage House

The Fanwood Performance Series hosts an evening of jazz on Friday, September 12, 2026, at the Patricia M. Kuran Cultural Arts Center at the Carriage House. The performance runs from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., featuring two accomplished jazz artists: pianist and bandleader James Austin Jr. with his trio, and pianist and composer Ellie Lee.

Union County Life covers Fanwood arts, performances, and cultural events across all 21 Union County municipalities.

James Austin Jr. Trio — "Songs in the Key of Wonder & More"

The James Austin Jr. Trio opens the program with "Songs in the Key of Wonder & More"—a set of arrangements drawn from Stevie Wonder's catalog, rounded out with jazz standards. The program explores the intersection of soul, funk, and jazz through Wonder's iconic songwriting and classic jazz repertoire.

James Austin Jr., a Chicago native, has performed in diverse settings throughout the world and brings extensive experience to the stage. He has served as pianist and arranger for two star-studded concerts at Carnegie Hall, one of the world's most prestigious concert venues. In the New York–New Jersey metro area, he is regularly featured as a pianist and bandleader for live concerts, theatrical performances, and civic and charitable events.

Austin is perhaps best known locally for having curated and led the NJPAC Jazz Jam Session series since its inception—a role that has made him a fixture in the region's jazz community and a mentor to emerging musicians.

Ellie Lee — Jazz, Classical, Soul, and Gospel

Pianist and composer Ellie Lee joins the bill, bringing work that blends jazz, classical, pop, R&B/soul, and gospel into a unique musical voice. Lee's approach combines technical mastery with genre-bridging sensibility, creating music that appeals to diverse audiences.

Lee grew up in Seoul, South Korea, and came to the United States on a scholarship to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston—one of the nation's premier music conservatories. She later earned a Master of Music degree from William Paterson University in Wayne, deepening her compositional and performance skills.

Lee performs extensively in the New York–New Jersey area and teaches as an adjunct professor at Felician University in Rutherford, sharing her musical knowledge with the next generation of musicians and composers.

Venue and Details

Event: Fanwood Performance Series Jazz Concert
Date: Friday, September 12, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Venue: Patricia M. Kuran Cultural Arts Center at the Carriage House
Address: 135 Watson Road, Fanwood, NJ

Ticket Information

Ticket and reservation information was not available at press time. Interested attendees should contact the Fanwood Performance Series directly for current ticket pricing, availability, seating information, and reservations before planning to attend.

About the Fanwood Performance Series

The Fanwood Performance Series brings diverse musical programming to the community, showcasing talented artists across genres and styles. The series is housed at the Patricia M. Kuran Cultural Arts Center at the Carriage House, a cultural venue dedicated to bringing the arts to Fanwood residents and regional audiences.

This September 12 jazz concert represents the kind of world-class musical talent the series brings to the community—artists with international experience, deep roots in regional performance, and commitment to the artistic development of younger musicians.

An evening of jazz featuring two accomplished performers offers Fanwood and area jazz enthusiasts the opportunity to experience live performance from artists regularly featured at major venues and festivals.

Find more Fanwood arts, performances, and cultural events on Union County Life.

FAQ

Q: What jazz concert is happening in Fanwood in September?
A: The Fanwood Performance Series hosts a jazz concert on Friday, September 12, 2026, from 7-9 p.m. at the Carriage House featuring James Austin Jr. Trio and Ellie Lee.

Q: Who is James Austin Jr.?
A: A Chicago-born pianist, bandleader, and arranger who has performed worldwide, arranged concerts at Carnegie Hall, and curates the NJPAC Jazz Jam Session series.

Q: What will James Austin Jr. perform?
A: "Songs in the Key of Wonder & More"—arrangements from Stevie Wonder's catalog mixed with jazz standards.

Q: Who is Ellie Lee?
A: A pianist and composer from Seoul, South Korea, who blends jazz, classical, pop, R&B/soul, and gospel. She studied at Berklee College of Music and William Paterson University, and teaches at Felician University.

Q: Where is the concert?
A: Patricia M. Kuran Cultural Arts Center at the Carriage House, 135 Watson Road, Fanwood, NJ.

Q: What time does the concert start?
A: 7:00 p.m. The concert runs until 9:00 p.m.

Q: How do I get tickets?
A: Contact the Fanwood Performance Series directly for ticket information, pricing, and reservations.

Q: Is parking available at the venue?
A: Contact the venue directly for parking information.