Sparky J's Explained

Sparky J's, previously known as the Cadillac Club,^[1] was a popular jazz club in downtown Newark, New Jersey.^[2] Sparky J's often featured soul jazz or funky jazz best exemplified by the organ combo, a band usually consisting of a Hammond B-3 organist, a saxophonist, a drummer, and a guitarist. The club was located in downtown Newark, on the corner of Halsey and William streets.^[3] This area known locally as the "Jazz Corner of the World" in the 70s because it contained two jazz clubs: Spark J's and Key Club.^[4] Both clubs closed in the 1970s,^[5] and they were the last full-time jazz clubs in the area at the time of closing.^[6] While Key Club was free entry, Sparky J's charged admission.^[7]

In the 1990s, the Newark Jazz Festival held annual Organ Jams, which were also known as "The Key Club and Sparky J's Reunion", which featured bands that played soul jazz as they did in the 70s.^[8] Many of the same musicians that played in the 70s played in these Festivals. Proceeds from the organ jam benefited the Black United Fund of New Jersey.^[9]

It was one of the jazz clubs featured on the "A Tribute to Newark Jazz Clubs" painting, a large-scale outdoor mural in Newark completed in 2013.^[10]

Musicians and bands

• Jimmy Scott

See also

• Clement's Place, jazz club in Newark, New Jersey
• WBGO, Newark jazz radio

Further reading

• Book: Kukla. Barbara J.. America's Music: Jazz In Newark. 2014. Swing City Press. 978-0-9768130-3-3.

Notes and References

1. Book: Gourse, Leslie. Sassy: The Life of Sarah Vaughan. 5 August 2009. Da Capo Press, Incorporated. 978-0-7867-5114-3. 67.
2. Book: William R. Bauer. Open the Door: The Life and Music of Betty Carter. 1 March 2003. University of Michigan Press. 0-472-06791-5. 69.
3. Web site: Venutolo. Anthony. Celebrating a jazz legend. NJ.com. 17 August 2014. 1 December 2007.
4. George, Kanzler. "Newark Celebrating '70s Nightclub Scene." Star-Ledger, The (Newark, NJ) 22 Nov. 1992: NewsBank - Archives. Web. 18 Aug. 2014.
5. Web site: Sterling. Guy. Jazztown USA For generations, Newark was a musical mecca. NJ.com. 17 August 2014. 28 September 2003.
6. GEORGE, KANZLER. "Three Courses of Newark Jazz Festival, Quite Heavy on the Jazz." Star-Ledger, The (Newark, NJ) 21 Nov. 1995: NewsBank - Archives. Web. 18 Aug. 2014.
7. Barbara, Kukla. "Hot jam: Benson returning for jazz fest's final event." Star-Ledger, The (Newark, NJ) 31 Oct. 1996: 1. NewsBank - Archives. Web. 18 Aug. 2014.
8. George, Kanzler. "Newark Jazz Fest Sparks Club Revival in City." Star-Ledger, The (Newark, NJ) 21 Jan. 1993: NewsBank - Archives. Web. 18 Aug. 2014.
9. George, Kanzler. "Jazz-Pop Gala, Organ Jam Highlight Newark Festival." Star-Ledger, The (Newark, NJ) 20 Nov. 1992: NewsBank - Archives. Web. 18 Aug. 2014.
10. Web site: ‘A Tribute to Newark Jazz Clubs’ unveiled. Essex News Daily. 31 August 2014. dead. https://archive.today/20140831153558/http://essexnewsdaily.com/news/newark/a-tribute-to-newark-jazz-clubs-unveiled. 31 August 2014.