Jazz Fest? If Officials Have Their Way, Yes

Could Morristown–the county capital, the next great, hip destination in New Jersey, also be the next great destination for jazz?

If Mayor Timothy Dougherty has his way, yes, and as early as this summer.

During the March 8 Town Council meeting, Dougherty said he just had the very first meeting to discuss the possibility of bringing an all-day jazz festival to Morristown, possibly in August, around the time of the Marty's Reliable Cycle-organized "Gran Fondo" bicycling event.

"It could be an excellent segue into the Gran Fondo," Dougherty said. "It could be exciting. I think the community would embrace it."

The preliminary meeting with a promoter and retainer was just the beginning of a process the mayor said also will involve the Morristown Partnership business association, as well as sponsorship opportunities. He reiterated that the process is "in the very early stages.

"We're trying to get people involved," Dougherty said. "I think Morristown would be the place for it."

Jennifer Wehring, director of marketing for the Morristown Partnership, thinks a jazz fest would be a great complement to the many other summer events going on in town.

"Anything that draws people to downtown Morristown is good for businesses," she said. "We are delighted to see other organizations bringing the masses."