Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 15, 2024
Hudson West Fest Kicks Off School Music Program in Jersey City
Contact: Fred Miller / (201) 805-6327 / Fred@HudsonWestFest.org / www.HudsonWestFest.org
Hudson West Fest will be presenting a free music program at PS/MS 11 in Jersey City on Friday, February 16th
Hudson West Fest will present its first school music program on Friday, February 16th to students from the 5th through 8th grades at PS/MS 11 in Jersey City. The program is entitled “Songs of the Struggle and Freedom” and is a survey of songs about freedom for African Americans from slavery to the present day.
The presentation will be led by Reggie Harris, a noted African American singer and educator, and one of the foremost presenters of the songs of the Underground Railroad and of the Modern Civil Rights Movement.
Hudson West Fest coordinated this new music event with the administration at PS/MS 11 who shares the vision of bringing all types of music to a wider community.
Founded in 2016, Hudson West Fest annually holds an all-day music festival but has also expanded its music programming over the years. Hudson West Fest has recognized the need to make Americana, Folk & Roots music available to a wider segment of the Jersey City community and offers several free music programs.
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School Programs - Providing free programs to schools is a key element of presenting to a wider community. This program and others are being made available to local schools at no charge.
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Talent Search - Hudson West has committed for the past three years to including young local artists at our festival to give them more exposure.
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Open Mics – Hudson West Fest produces several free open mics throughout the year to present local musicians to the community.
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Free Concerts – Select local musicians that are presented in concerts throughout the year.
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Music Workshops – At least four music workshops are held at every annual music festival that are free with admission.
Funding for many of these music programs has been provided by the Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust, and the Hudson County Office of Cultural Affairs.
Reggie Harris
Reggie Harris is a songwriter, storyteller, and lecturer who has traveled the world for more than 40 years performing for audiences of all ages. He has appeared at thousands of schools, concert halls, and universities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, using music and story to bring history alive.
Reggie is one of the foremost presenters of the songs of the Underground Railroad and of the Modern Civil Rights Movement. He is a teaching artist in the John F. Kennedy Center’s CETA program, a Woodrow Wilson Scholar, and the Director of Music Education for the UU Living Legacy Project. Reggie leads civil rights pilgrimages throughout the Southern U.S. and is a 2018 recipient of the Children’s Music Network’s “Magic Penny Award” in recognition for a lifetime of excellence in performance and education.
Founded in 2016, Hudson West Fest is an Americana, Folk & Roots music festival presenting performers from across North America. We are a group passionate about music and have all been deeply involved in presenting music over the years in Jersey City and Manhattan. Hudson West Fest annually holds an all-day music festival but has also expanded its music programming over the years to include Music Workshops, a Talent Search, Open Mics, Free Concerts presenting local musicians, and this year’s School Music Programs.
Previous Performers
2023 (videos)
Grey Reverend
NationBeat
Chivalrous Crickets
Crys Matthews
Danielle Miraglia
Joshua Nelson
The Scooches
Sean Kiely
Jacob Tremont
Kelli Bruno
2019
Taarka
Sam Baker
David Olney
Sophie Buskin
Vance Gilbert
Mary Gauthier
Jean Rohe
Susan McKeown
2022
Cole Quest and the City Pickers
Leslie Mendelson
J Pope and the HearNow
Jaimee Harris
KJ Denhert
The Ebony Hillbillies
Ari Hest
Ukrainian Village Voices
Sofia Oro
Lauralie Mufute
2018
Freedy Johnston
Blackie Farrell
Kirsten Maxwell
Vicki Kristina Barcelona
Sunny War
Harpeth Rising
Evie Ladin & Keith Terry
Blue Yonder
Stephen Wrembel
2021
Miles to Dayton
Side Pony
Blind Boy Paxton
Mark Aaron James
Brett Altman
Zoe Lewis
Quarter Horse
Amy Rigby
Swamp Cabbage
2017
M Shanghai
The Mammals
Abbie Gardner
Paul Sachs
Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards
The Chapin Sisters
Sleeping Bee
Dana Kurtz
Tim Erbach
Bobtown
Matt Nakoa
Diana Jones