State of the Arts has been taking you on location with the most creative people in New Jersey and beyond since 1981. The New York and Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award-winning series features documentary shorts about an extraordinary range of artists and visits New Jersey’s best performance spaces. State of the Arts is on the frontlines of the creative and cultural worlds of New Jersey.
State of the Arts is a cornerstone program of NJ PBS, with episodes co-produced by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and Stockton University, in cooperation with PCK Media. The series also airs on WNET and ALL ARTS.
On this week's episode... New Jersey Heritage Fellowships are an honor given to artists who are keeping their cultural traditions alive and thriving. On this special episode of State of the Arts, we meet three winners, each using music and dance from around the world to bring their heritage to New Jersey: Deborah Mitchell, founder of the New Jersey Tap Dance Ensemble; Pepe Santana, an Andean musician and instrument maker; and Rachna Sarang, a master and choreographer of Kathak, a classical Indian dance form.
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts is hosting quarterly Teaching Artist Community of Practice meetings. These virtual sessions serve as a platform for teaching artists to share their experiences, discuss new opportunities, and connect with each other and the State Arts Council.
Register for the next meeting.
The State Arts Council awarded $2 million to 198 New Jersey artists through the Council’s Individual Artist Fellowship program in the categories of Film/Video, Digital/Electronic, Interdisciplinary, Painting, Printmaking/Drawing/Book Arts, and Prose. The Council also welcomed two new Board Members, Vedra Chandler and Robin Gurin.
Read the full press release.
These monthly events, presented by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, are peer-to-peer learning opportunities covering a wide range of arts accessibility topics.
The collaboration on "Corona Can't Stop Us" with highlights Daano's connections within the South African music scene. The consistent use of a moderate tempo and 4/4 time signature across most tracks provides a stable foundation for his jazzy amapiano fusion.
is a foundational 2020 EP by South African electronic music producer Daano , marking a pivotal early milestone in the fusion of jazz-influenced instrumentation and Amapiano production styles . Released in April 2020, this six-track collection spans roughly 45 minutes of lush chord structures, log-drum baselines, and smooth percussive patterns. The record catalyzed Daano's profile within the regional "private school Amapiano" movement, setting the stage for future expansive records like The Jazz Kid II , The Jazz Kid III , and Jazz Symphony .
This is the first full song that answers the search for with energy. "Swing Lesson Detention" features a frantic double-bass loop layered over a crispy, lo-fi drum break. Daano’s saxophone enters like a rebellious yell—off-key enough to feel human, but technically precise enough to impress jazz purists.
"Samba" incorporates smooth Brazilian jazz textures into a traditional house format. The song leans into melodic acoustic guitar simulators and rolling percussive blocks, building a bright, highly rhythmic piece that emphasizes danceability without sacrificing its jazz identity. Corona Can't Stop Us daano the jazz kid pt. 1 songs
: A 7-minute track that serves as a grand entrance, establishing the smooth, atmospheric tone for the entire project.
You can stream the entire record for free on YouTube Music . Below is an in-depth exploration of the tracks, themes, and legacy of this pivotal dance-electronic release. Track-by-Track Breakdown Track Name Primary Sub-Genre Private School Amapiano / Deep House Journey To Havana Latin Jazz Amapiano KLS Corner Soulful Lounge House Laarnie Deep Tech Amapiano Samba Afro-Brazilian Fusion Corona Can't Stop Us Uplifting Dance / Electronic 1. Long Awaited
Journey To Havana highlights Daano’s world-music aspirations. The track introduces distinct Latin jazz elements—notably Afro-Cuban piano montunos and bright percussion lines—and effortlessly superimposes them over a steady Amapiano bounce. The result is an escapist, cross-continental sonic travelogue. 3. KLS Corner The collaboration on "Corona Can't Stop Us" with
#Daano #TheJazzKid #Amapiano #JazzPiano #SouthAfricanMusic #SoulfulJazz Jazz Symphony The Jazz Kid, Pt. 1 - Album by Daano - Apple Music
At the time of its release, The Jazz Kid, Pt. 1 stood out for its resistance to standard club-banger tropes, opting instead for a mature, lounge-ready listening experience. The project laid the groundwork for Daano's subsequent successful multi-album series, including The Jazz Kid II (2022) and The Jazz Kid III (2023). Songs like remain foundational listening for fans tracking the evolutionary line of jazz-influenced Amapiano music.
If you want to dive deeper into Daano's catalog,II and Pt. III , or should we look into a list of his with other Amapiano vocalists? Share public link Released in April 2020, this six-track collection spans
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The supporting tracks on the album establish a late-night, cinematic atmosphere. Instead of focusing on sudden, high-energy drops, the songs roll out across extended runtimes. They feature slow-blooming saxophone layers, syncopated shaker rhythms, and jazzy improvisations that bridge the gap between Johannesburg dance spots and upscale lounges. Critical Evolution: Tracking the Sequence
: A softer approach to the ubiquitous Amapiano log drum, allowing the melodic elements to breathe. Key Tracks and Highlights
The project opens with a track that sets the tone for a relaxed yet groovy listening experience. "Long Awaited" is a lengthy journey, characteristic of deep house, which allows the listener to settle into the atmosphere. The track blends soft keys with a steady, rhythmic bassline, building a feeling of anticipation and smooth, ambient jazz. 2. Journey To Havana (6:02)
