Events

ARTIST ENCOUNTER SPRING 2025

Join an afternoon of music from the Albert Music Hall Pickin’ Shed. American Studies Artist Encounter resident musicians Jackson Pines (Joe Makoviecki,guitar, vocals, harmonica and James Black, upright bass) return for a second concert at Douglass Library with their friends Pete Curry, Redbird (aka Danielle Marrone), Josh Werner, and Cranston Dean. Following their previous showcase of Pinelands music traditions, Jackson Pines brings together Albert Music Hall regulars for a pickin’ session to celebrate the music of the Pine Barrens and the fifty year legacy of Albert Hall and the Pinelands Cultural Society.

In 2025, Albert Hall and the Pinelands Cultural Society celebrate fifty years as a center for music and culture in the Pinelands. Bring your banjo and join the jam as the musicians share the songs, stories, and memories that make the Pinelands musical hotspot of New Jersey heritage. https://www.alberthall.org

 Event Presented by the Department of American Studies

Co-Sponsored by Rutgers Libraries

Sign-Up here: https://airtable.com/appzBkhqnaUYdWoFR/shrTbOi1gYsDC24l2

 Jackson Pines is a band of best friends from the Pine Barrens that play everywhere from local parks to national festivals. Joe and James, along with their friends, write songs about love, loss, despire, and hope on the road of life. They have 4 albums of original music and interpret 100-300 year old folk songs from their home, Ocean County. Their latest album "Purgatory Road (Deluxe Edition)" features 20 original songs. https://www.jacksonpines.com

 Pete Curry has been playing five-string banjo, guitar and harmonica since the late 1950s. He has played with the New Hope Singers, the Pineconers, Merce Ridgway and the Pinehawkers and, most recently, the bluegrass and country band, One-Way Express. He has appeared at numerous acoustic music venues including the New Jersey Folk Festival, and the National Folk Festival in Vienna, Virginia (with the Pineconers). The author of several folk music instruction books, he has worked as Music Director and nighttime DJ for the country music radio station in Philadelphia. His main occupation is that of advertising copywriter and jingle writer/producer. But to many New Jersey folk music enthusiasts, he is best known as the author of “Come on Down to Waretown,” the unofficial theme song of the New Jersey Pinelands and Albert Hall.

 Redbird (aka Danielle Marrone), has performed at local venues, like the Wonder Bar, and the Vogel. She also performs at the annual Light of Day Winterfest, and Porchfest shows. Her debut album, Breaking Through is expected April 2025. Danielle has served on the Pinelands Cultural Society’s board since 2016 and as president since 2023. 

Joshua Werner was born on Halloween and raised in a small town in the pinelands of New Jersey. He grew up listening to music, and got his first guitar at the age of 12. Since then he's built a career around that instrument (and others), working in several different bands playing all kinds of music from classic rock to bluegrass to traditional Irish, and all over North America from his home state of New Jersey, to New Mexico, to Tennessee, Florida, Canada, and most recently adding Puerto Rico to that list. He also plays a variety of stringed instruments in addition to guitar, such as banjo, pedal steel, mandolin, bass, lap steel guitar, and dobro. In 2019, he had the opportunity to open for Johnny Cash's grandson Thomas Gabriel during one of Thomas' east coast tours. Now one of his main gigs is playing pedal steel and guitar for up and coming singer/songwriter Chris Rendell, opening for acts like Jake Owen and Brett Young in the 2024 season.

Cranston Dean is a New Jersey native with an ancient New England soul. His music draws from Americana, folk, jazz, country, blues and pop to translate and transform the human condition into beautiful works of art. The singer / songwriter has been a featured artist in clubs throughout the Jersey Shore (and especially Asbury Park); including The Saint, The Wonder Bar, The Stone Pony, Langosta Lounge, Asbury Park Yacht Club, Danny Clinch Studio, Brighton Bar, The Chubby Pickle and others.

Parking: Visitors and Artists may park in Lots 70 & Douglass Deck. Guests must use the below link to register for the event. They must enter an email address where they will receive a confirmation. Until this process is completed their vehicles are not registered and your guests may receive a citation. Special Event parking does not include metered parking or allow free parking to faculty, staff, or students. Rutgers affiliated Faculty, Staff and Students must have a Rutgers parking permit (Semester, Daily, or Event) and park accordingly. Faculty, Staff, and Students parking without a parking permit or outside their parking permit assignment will be subjected to ticketing and/or towing.

Parking Link: Artist Encounter Concert: Music from the New Jersey Pinelands

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