The Kearny Public Library invites all to join us for a wonderful night of jazz with a book signing by Newark author Barbara Kukla and a performance by the Carrie Jackson Quartet on Tuesday, October 17 at 7 PM.

Barbara Kukla will be promoting America’s Music: Jazz in Newark, her fifth and most recent book about the people of Newark.  Other titles include Swing City: Newark Nightlife, 1925-50 and Defying the Odds: Triumphant Black Women of Newark.  Before her retirement from The Star-Ledger in 2004, Barbara spent forty-three years as a journalist, most of that time at The Star-Ledger, where she first served as a general assignment reporter and Sunday city editor.  In 1979, she created and was named editor of Newark This Week, a section focused solely on news of interest to the residents of New Jersey’s largest city.

Amazing jazz vocalist Carrie Jackson is considered one of the most consistently interesting singers in the metropolitan area, covering a gamut of styles, including classic jazz, soulful pop, blues and mellow gospel. She is a native of Newark, beginning her musical career in the children’s choir at Mount Calvary Baptist Church.  Carrie is President and CEO of C-Jay Records, established in 1996.  She has recorded several CDs, including her critically acclaimed debut, The Nearness of You.

The Kearny Public Library is located at 318 Kearny Ave. in Kearny, NJ. For more information on this or other programs, please call (201) 998-2666 or visit our website at www.kearnylibrary.org.