Morristown, NJ - In its fifth year, the Back Deck concert series returns with a season of 14 performances featuring regional and international chamber music and Jazz ensembles. Patrons are invited to bring their chairs and picnics and discover why The New York Times said it made it “Joyous to be in Jersey” amid the hills of Morris County. Tickets go on sale Thursday, May 30.

Jazz on the Back Deck and Lot of Strings Music Festival season kicks off on June 15 with a tribute to Tony Bennett by Amani and continues through September 14 with an end-of-season 1920s jazz party headlined by Mike Davis and the New Wonders which everyone is encouraged to dare to wear white after Labor Day. Details on the two series:

Lot of Strings 2024 Music Festival features Grammy-award-winning artists such as the Harlem Quartet (August 1) punctuating a schedule featuring six renowned chamber music groups. Debuting are the international and award-winning Aizuri (July 25) and the Erinys Quartet (August 3) along with the New Jersey-based Lyrica Chamber Music with cellist Ani Kalayjian (August 15). Returning fan favorites include the masterful Telegraph Quartet from San Francisco (July 11) and the innovative PUBLIQuartet (June 20).

Jazz on the Back Deck welcomes new talent Vanisha Gould (August 24) who hails from New York and captivates audiences with original music and tunes from the Great American Songbook. Other debuts include The Fumos (August 17), a NYC-based band reviving the horn-heavy dance music of the ‘70s, and Laura Anglade (August 10), a stellar jazz vocalist and storyteller. Another date in the series is presented in partnership with the NJ Jazz Society which features Don Braden and singer Cydney Halpin (June 22). Returning favorites include Newark legend Antoinette Montague (June 27), and Short Hills native Evan Sherman (June 13).

“Our fifth season - curated with great care and an eye for quality by Brett Wellman Messenger - brings together a marvelous constellation of performers to this exceptional and unexpectedly elegant setting,” said Thomas J. Loughman the Museum’s Executive Director. “Amid the treetops at sunset, these award-winning performers really transport our audience. We are thrilled to welcome back our Jazz enthusiasts and chamber music aficionados for this expanded season.”

Since launching in July 2020, The Back Deck has presented over 70 performances of critically acclaimed artists, welcomed more than 10,000 patrons, and received critical praise from local and national media. The series has presented established artists and rising stars with several ensembles going on to receive national acclaim. Now an established part of the regional cultural landscape, the Museum’s elevated parking deck has become known for glamorous tailgates and world-class music each summer.

The Morris Museum thanks Will and Mary Leland as well as Lot of Strings founding donor, F. Gary Knapp for their leadership support of the 2024 festival eason.
 
Back Deck 2024 Schedule:

Tribute to Tony Bennett by Amani - June 15 at 7:30 PM

PUBLIQuartet - June 20 at 7:30 PM

Jazz Goes to the Movies with Don Braden and Cydney Halpin - June 22 at 7:30 PM

Antoinette Montague - June 27 at 7:30 PM

Telegraph Quartet - July 11 at 7:30 PM

Evan Sherman - July 13 at 7:30 PM

Aizuri - July 25 at 7:30 PM

Harlem Quartet - August 1 at 7:30 PM

Erinys Quartet - August 3 at 7:30 PM

Laura Anglade Quartet - August 10 at 7:30 PM

Ani Kalayjian Sextet - August 15 at 7:30 PM

The Fumos - August 17 at 7:30 PM

Vanisha Gould - August 24 at 7:30 PM

Mike Davis - September 14 at 7:30 PM

For tickets and information: morrismuseum.org/outdoor-concerts. Early access sales begin immediately to Museum Members; general sales begin May 30.

Back Deck Visitor Information and Guidelines

Attendees must bring their own chairs and are welcome to bring refreshments. Tickets are $53 for an 8’x8’ block that accommodates up to two patrons or $28 for a block that accommodates one. Concerts begin at 7:30 PM. Patrons are welcome to arrive as early as 6:00 PM to enjoy their picnics. In the event of inclement weather, outdoor performances will be held in the Museum’s Bickford Theatre, general admission. For assistance and to make purchases by phone, call the box office at 973-971-3706.