As the summer continues to sizzle, the Mercer County Park Commission is also bringing top talents to Mercer County Park Festival Grounds.
Don’t miss great shows from well-known artists such as the upcoming performers Sat., July 27.
Information from the Mercer County Administration states that “If you watched Sean “Diddy” Combs’ MTV show Making the Band, you probably remember seeing five hugely talented young men who became Day26, named for the day (Aug. 26) (when) they were selected by Combs.”
These Hip Hop artists, Day26, and model musician Sammy Cokas, who writes his own music, will perform at the Festival Grounds Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m.
The Administration states that, Day 26’s first album hit the Billboard 200 as #1 and became the biggest selling debut album from a male R&B group on SoundScan. Their hits were Got Me Going and Since You Been Gone.
They celebrate their 10-year anniversary with their A New Day album.
Other musicians at the Festival Ground this summer will include Jazz musicians, Country musicians, and even a Woodstock Tribute.
For the return of Mercer County Jazz Festival on Sat. Aug. 3, the well-known musician Jeff Bradshaw will headline the event.
Mercer County has announced that Bradshaw is a Philadelphia based soul-jazz and hip-hop innovator who joined the Park Commission at the Jazz Festival in 2018 concert series and will return this summer.
Opening support for Jeff Bradshaw will be Destinee Maree, and R&B Soul/Pop singer, Algebra Blessett and Frank McComb.
Tickets for the events are available through Community Pass – $20. For more information, go to www.mercercountyparks.org
Dr. Alexander “Dr. Suave” Nicolas is a saxophonist and instrumental musician who attracts international audiences. (Provided photo)
Even though Dr. Alexander “Dr. Suave” Nicolas took a four year hiatus from music, it was not too long before he made The Return album his fans will love to hear at upcoming shows in Trenton at the Wyndham and at other locations.
Nicolas, a 30-year veteran saxophonist, a composer and a producer was born in Panama and has been living in the United States since 1988. He received his college education here and has been an educator in the Trenton public schools and is currently an adjunct Spanish professor at Mercer County Community College.
When Nicolas is not in the classroom, you can find him in the recording studio at AR Records, making smooth instrumental Gospel and Jazz music that is featured on his new CD, The Return, which consists of 11 songs.
Music lovers who enjoy instrumentals will have a chance to listen to and enjoy an evening with Nicolas featuring his 13-year-old daughter, Yasmine Nicolas as vocalist, selected Saturdays at Trenton Wyndham Hotel on Lafayette Street, from 7:30 to 10 pm.
“My experience in Trenton is usually positive. I do instrumental Gospel so I reach people of faith. People say I sound better live. I have done music overseas too and I have a positive experience with live audiences,” Nicolas related.
He noted that instrumental music does not have limits of who can make connections to it because of its form without words. Therefore, it reaches a wide audience “touching their hearts and allowing people to reflect on their daily lifestyles. It doesn’t have barriers,” he added.
“Most of my music is original, but I do cover music – a mixture of everything from Adele’s, Hello to Charlie Puth’s, Im just one call away,” Nicolas said.
Nicolas said his biggest gratification is reaching different cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds with his music.
Nicolas instrumental music has been played in more than 120 countries since the early 1990s, he said. He also said he has had audiences of more than 10 to 20,000 people.
In his native country, Panama, Nicolas is compared to the likes of Dave Koz and Kenny G. because of his successful albums and musical performances.
His new CD, The Return, represents his creativity and is a musical way of sending a message to all his fans and music followers, he said.
“The Return is my new birth inspiration because 90 per cent of the songs were written, performed and composed by me,” he said. “I hope that my new release will inspire and encourage someone out there,” he added.
Nicolas had been away from the music scene because he had to address personal and family matters. He said he needed time to figure out what kind of music he really wanted to do.
Over the years, he has performed at the Latin Grammy’s in 2006, been featured on various television shows such as Telemundo in 2006, had interviews on ABC in 2002 and 2008, performed at Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, N.Y., in 2004, sang the national anthem at the 76ers game in Philadephia, among other professional ventures.
His all-time musical releases include: Because He Lives, Fidelity, Merry Christmas, Faith, Canto A Jesus, New Heart The Groove, There Are Moments, and his latest, The Return.
Fans can see Nicolas, aka Dr. Suave at his upcoming concerts this year in Trenton on Saturdays, March 18, March 25, April 29, May 27, June 24, July 29, Aug. 26, Sept. 30, Oct.28, Nov. 25, and Dec. 16.
