AARP New Jersey’s Melodies of the Garden State on Facebook Live!

AARP New Jersey hosted a four-part Facebook Live series – Melodies of the Garden State – which explored the connection between music and brain health – with our very own New Jersey twist.

You can watch recordings from each week below:

• Monday, September 14 at 5:30 p.m. ET. Watch on Facebook here or YouTube here.
• Monday, September 21 at 5:30 p.m. ET. Watch on Facebook here or YouTube here.
• Tuesday, September 29 at 5:30 p.m. ET. Watch on Facebook here or YouTube here.
• Monday, October 5 at 5:30 p.m. ET. Watch on Facebook here or YouTube here.
  

Each week, we provided tips and stats from a new report from the AARP-founded Global Council on Brain Health, which examined the latest evidence on how music influences brain health.

We were joined by Professor Dewar MacLeod, who teaches at William Paterson University with a focus on the history of popular culture, rock ‘n roll, childhood, suburbia, and U.S. foreign policy.

Professor MacLeod discussed New Jersey’s unique history and impact on a particular genre of music each week. Then, to close out the program, we were joined by a New Jersey-based musician who played live and original music.

And what is a musical performance without a drink in your hand? Each week, we shared a New Jersey-inspired cocktail recipe so we all had the option to sip the same drink as we tuned in live together.

Musical Guest on Sept. 14:
Rhonda Denet is a New-Jersey based vocalist, songwriter and bandleader known for her smooth, soulful and jazzy music that reflects on life, love and gratitude.

She earned a Bachelor of Music from NYU in 1995 and a MA in Arts Administration from FSU in 1997.

She is a full-time musician performing throughout the New York metropolitan region and across the country with her band The Bad Cats, as a lead vocalist. She invites her audience to surrender to the groove by blending classic and contemporary favorites with her inspiring original music.

Musical Guest on Sept. 21:
Even if you've never heard of jazz guitarist B.D. Lenz, it's very possible you've heard his music before - it's been featured on hundreds of TV shows around the globe including "Breaking Bad,” "Pawn Stars," and "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" to name a few.

He's released 12 recordings of his unique brand of funky jazz that fuses virtuoso musicianship with expert songwriting. His latest, "Sole Searching" was released in August of this year and is a solo guitar recording made in quarantine. When he's not touring overseas with his jazz trio, the NJ native can be found playing around the New York/New Jersey region with many instrumental and vocal bands.

Musical Guest on Sept. 29:
Mike Montrey is a professional guitarist, songwriter, performer and music instructor based out of New Brunswick, NJ. Mike was named Artist of the Year in 2018 by New Jersey Stage. His current band, Mike Montrey Band, which has toured nationally, has released four albums of original material.

Musical Guest on Oct. 5:
Suzzette Ortiz is a graduate from the Conservatory of PR with the degree of Piano performance and a minor in composition. She moved to Philadelphia where she obtained a master degree in music education. She then worked in the Camden as a choral music teacher until her retirement. Her choirs received countless awards both nationally and internationally.

Suzzette is currently the artistic director for AMLA Music School and is currently involved in the Music Healing and Transition (MHTP) Program where she will receive her certification to provide comfort music to patients by playing the Celtic harp.

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