Popular and classic tunescapes and a dose of laughs ornament New Jersey stages this season

by Jessica Jones Gorman

LEAVE YOUR HEART AT NJPAC
Tony Bennett, the legend of American song, who recently celebrated his 92nd birthday, will perform at NJPAC’s Prudential Hall on October 6 to promote his new album Love is Here, released on September 14. The disc is a collaboration with jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall, and together, the artists pay tribute to the music of George and Ira Gershwin. Its lead single, “Fascinating Rhythm,” is a new version of Bennett’s first single, released in 1946 (though the original song was written by George Gershwin in 1924). Born in Astoria, Queens in 1926, Bennett is one of a handful of artists to have new albums reach the charts during each decade since the 1950s, and has introduced a multitude of song standards, like “Rags to Riches,” “I Wanna be Around,” and, of course, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” All are slated to be on the concert’s set list. Tickets for the show, which starts at 8 P.M., are priced between $56 and $166. 1 Center Street, Newark, njpac.org

Miller time
One of the most sought after comedians in the stand up circuit, T.J. Miller, also known for roles in HBO’s Silicon Valley, 2016’s Dead pool, and its this year sequel, is bringing his energetic act to New Jersey this November…and things might get absurd. Though Miller is oft recognized for other Hollywood films like Ready Player One, Office Christmas Party, Clover field, How to Train Your Dragon, and Big Hero 6, the Chanute, Kansas native’s passion for comic gigs is what fuelled early notoriety. He got his start touring with Second City in Chicago and improvising with Annoyance Theater, before a 2011 hour long Comedy Central special, T.J. Miller: No Real Reason, brought him critical acclaim. His observational and wacky show is something not to be missed, which is why he was named one of Variety’s “Top 10 Comics to Watch.” So go watch! Shows run November 29 to December 2 at Stress Factory Comedy Club. 90 Church Street, New Brunswick, stressfactory.com

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MAROON 5 DEBUTS NEW TUNES AT THE PRUDENTIAL CENTER
Three time Grammy Award winning multiplatinum band Maroon 5, which has sold more than 75 million records (making them one of the world’s best selling music artists), will bring its Red Pill Blues Tour to the Prudential Center on October 6. Julia Michaels, who broke onto the charts with her hit “Issues,” joins the tour, which is happening in conjunction with the release of Maroon 5’s new studio album, Red Pill Blues. The set list will include singles like “What Lovers Do” and “She Will Be Loved,” as well as two previously unreleased songs. 25 Lafayette Street, Newark, prucenter.com

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