Governor Phil Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy will be special guests; Basie Center Board Members
will be honored for their support of the performing arts organization’s mission

 

RED BANK, MARCH 10, 2025 – The Count Basie Center for the Arts is excited to announce nine-time Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Sheryl Crow will headline this year’s Summer Gala at the Basie Center’s historic theater on Friday, June 20, 2025. Proceeds from the event will support the Basie Center and its mission to provide arts education opportunities to schools and communities throughout New Jersey, in addition to onsite programs at the organization’s Turner Academy of the Arts and music conservatory.

Count Basie Center members can purchase tickets beginning Tuesday, March 11 at 10am. Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, March 14, at 10am through theBASIE.org, the Basie Center box office, charge by phone at 732-842-9000 and Ticketmaster. Sponsorships in support of the fundraising concert are available now at www.thebasie.org/gala.

“The Summer Gala is an opportunity for us to fund our mission, while recognizing the exceptional commitment of those who make this work possible,” says Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “We are thrilled to have Sheryl Crow take the stage, as we celebrate with our community partners, board members, and officials whose support allows the Basie Center to inspire, educate, and entertain.”

Governor Phil Murphy and former Basie Center Board Member  First Lady Tammy Murphy will be special guests at the summer celebration. The night will honor long-time Executive Board members: co-Vice Chairperson Michael Parent, and Treasurer Stephen Cutler, both of whom joined the Board in 2009. The Gala will also kick-off a year-long centennial celebration of the historic theater, which first opened as Reade’s Carlton theater in 1926.

“The recognition of contributions by the honorees at our Summer Gala includes the time, expertise, and resources spent on ensuring we deliver on our mission and values for all who walk through our doors,” says Jeremy Grunin, Chairperson, Count Basie Center Board of Trustees. “Because of people like them, the impact of our work extends throughout Red Bank, Monmouth County, New Jersey and beyond.”

“The Count Basie Center for the Arts exemplifies a community-first mindset, and Tammy and I are proud to back that mission as Governor and First Lady and as patrons,” says Governor Phil Murphy. “The entertainment, access, and education this arts center provides our residents — and visitors — represents so much of what we value here in New Jersey.”

“When I served as a Trustee of the Count Basie Center for the Arts, I learned firsthand of its amazing work and impact both locally and across the entire state of New Jersey,” says First Lady Tammy Murphy. “Given the tremendous benefits we all reap from our exposure to the arts, we must continue to support these outstanding organizations which make arts education accessible to all.”