Jazz Meets Sports

This exclusive NJPAC event will explore the symbiotic relationship between musical artistry and athletic performance. Participants include baseball legend and Latin Grammy-nominated guitarist Bernie Williams. During his 16-year career with the New York Yankees, Williams was a 4-time World Series Champion and a 5-time All Star – and through it all, he continued to pursue his passion for music; whether acoustic or electric, a guitar was a constant presence in his locker. Williams’s debut album, 2003’s The Journey Within, features fusions of jazz, rock and tropical rhythms. For this NJPAC event, Williams will perform with 3-time Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride and his trio. McBride will also moderate a conversation featuring Williams as well as basketball great and jazz connoisseur Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer, Abdul-Jabbar has since become a best-selling author. He titled his 1983 autobiography Giant Steps as a tribute to one of his heroes, jazz giant John Coltrane.