Some of music’s most famous voices will grace New Jersey stages this winter

by Jessica Jones Gorman

SMOKEY ROCKS THE BORGATA
Singer songwriter Smokey Robinson Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters’ Hall of Fame member and Library of Congress Gershwin Prize recipient is scheduled to bring selections from four decades of R&B hits to The Event Center at the Borgata Hotel & Casino. Famed for co-founding Motown Records with Berry Gordy, the 78 year old, described by Bob Dylan as America’s “greatest living poet,” is recognized for a multitude of Top 40 hits, including “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” “I Second That Emotion,” and “The Tears of a Clown.” The March 30 performance follows an exclusive stint at Wynn Las Vegas. 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, theborgata.com

TRICK & TREAT
With record sales in excess of 20 million and more than 40 international gold and platinum certifications, Cheap Trick formed in Rockford, Illinois in 1973 has earned its place in the great American songbook. Gaining popularity with classics like “I Want You to Want Me” and “Surrender,” the band, which features Robin Zander on vocals, Rick Nielsen on lead guitar, and Tom Peterson on bass guitar, is best known for its blend of pop, punk, and a little bit of metal. The group’s current tour will make a stop at the Count Basie Center for the Arts on February 28. Joined by drummer Daxx Nielsen, the 2016 inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Famers are slated to perform classic hits as well as several new songs from their most recent albums. Tickets for the show, which range from $35 to $109, can be purchased online. Meet and greet VIP packages are also available. 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, thebasie.org

MICHAEL BUBLÉ TUNES UP THE PRU CENTER
After his son, Noah, was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, Michael Bublé the Canadian singer/songwriter who has sold more than 75 million records worldwide stopped making music and took a hiatus from performing. Happily, the five year old has now been declared cancer free, and so the Grammy Award winner is launching one of his largest tours ever. It makes a stop at the Prudential Center on February 23 the concert in support of Bublé’s eighth studio album, Love. According to the singer, the disc stands as a “testament to the power of music, and its healing power,” adding that his fans’ “unyielding outpouring of support” lifted him and his family through the darkest times. 25 Lafayette Street, Newark, prucenter.com