Rutgers-Newark and NC 350 are coming together to pay tribute to the late city historian.
NEWARK -- It's a meeting place, a discussion ground, a spot to hear great jazz music, and to exchange great ideas. It's "Clement's Place."
As part of the renovation of the Rutgers-Newark building at 15 Washington Street - affectionately known among locals as "Fifteen Wash" - the college has quietly opened a fitting tribute to a historian who was an icon of both the school and the greater Newark community.
"Clement's Place," a jazz lounge inside the building that will host events for students, staff, and the public, is named in honor of Clement Price, the professor and city historian who died after suffering a stroke in 2014.
Leo Johnson (left) and Anthony Nelson will kick off the jazz series Friday. (Courtesy NC 350)"It's a tribute to him, but it is also forward-looking, as he would want it to be," said Wayne Winborne, the executive director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers-Newark.
"We are just getting started, but we are very excited about the future of this place."
In line with Price's affinity to promote both an appreciation of Newark and compelling conversation - as well as his love of jazz music - one of the venue's inaugural events partners it with the Newark Celebration 350 committee, the group presenting a yearlong slate of events recognizing the 350th anniversary of the founding of the state's largest city.
The group announced "NC 350 Live at Clement's Place" this week. The jazz concert series will kick off Friday and run every second Friday of the month through Dec. 9. The performances will be free, and open to the public.
"These programs echo Dr. Clement Price's vision of celebrating Newark through the arts during this milestone year," said Junius Williams, NC 350 Chair and Director of the school's Abbot Leadership Institute.
"(It) represents NC 350's mission to champion the very best of our city's talented artists and great traditions."
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Eventually, Winborne said, the space will host more concerts, curated listening sessions of the school's jazz archives, and salsa nights.
And, he said the space, which is decorated with art from Price's personal collection and some awards that he received throughout his life, should evoke fond memories of the well-loved historian.
"We hope this will be a microcosm of what the university is about, and what Clement was about," he said.
For all jazz series shows, doors open at 5:30 p.m., and seating is limited. The tentative NC 350 Live at Clement's Place schedule is below:
- "The Sax Summit" featuring Leo Johnson and Anthony Nelson on August 12, 6-8 p.m.
- Carrie Jackson and Her Jazzin' All Stars on September 9, 6-8 p.m.
- Bobby Sanabria & Quarteto Ache on October 14, 6-8 p.m.
- Return To the Source reunion with Junius Williams on November 11, 6-8 p.m.
- The Houston Person Quartet on December 9, 6-8 p.m.
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.