Amazing Slate of Artists On Board for this year’s Sunset Jam

This year’s Sunset Jam will take place on June 11th at the Transparent Gallery in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Visit our event page for more information and to get tickets.

We are very excited to have these talented musicians performing at our 2025 Sunset Jam Fundraiser:

Cranston Dean

Cranston Dean is a versatile musician hailing from Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, known for his dynamic blend of rock, blues, funk, and folk influences. As a prolific songwriter, he has released four LPs and two EPs of original material, including his latest album, “Northern Town,” now streaming on all platforms.

Beyond his solo work, Cranston collaborates with other artists, playing drums and mandolin with Jackson Pines and Patty C. He also hosts a radio show on Mondays at The Chubby Pickle from 9-11 PM, which is broadcast live on WFKU.

Cranston’s music aims to provide comfort, provoke thought, and foster a sense of camaraderie and hope, all while bringing joy to his listeners. His live performances are infused with humor, creating an engaging and enjoyable experience for audiences. Described as “pretty good” by fans across the United States, Cranston continues to make his mark on the music scene.

🔗 Follow for updates on shows, releases, and more.
📍 WEBSITE
📷 @cranstondean
📘 Cranston Dean (II)

Joe Edelmann

Joe Edelmann is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Asbury Park, NJ. He currently fills the role of Thom Yorke in There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead), who have been performing since 2018 along the Northeast including multiple venues in NYC, Boston and Philadelphia. Joe also hosts a YouTube channel for covers, original music and instructional content with over 5 million views. When not composing or performing live, he also works as a session musician and dabbles in electronic design. Naturally, the work of Radiohead and its members has been a huge influence on his musical journey, but he enjoys and combines a wide range of genres and sounds in his work, such as trip hop, western scores and dub reggae.

🔗 Follow for updates on shows, releases, and more.
📷 @joeedelmann
📘 Joe Edelmann

Gnatural

Gnatural is the musical project of Steve Gregoire, a guitarist and songwriter whose compositions blend rock, funk, and melody-driven arrangements. Originally from New York City, the band is now based at the Jersey Shore, actively performing in the vibrant Asbury Park music scene.

Steve’s original works come to life with a tight-knit group of musicians:

Jason Lynch – Bass Guitar, Vocals
Kyle Bokert – Keyboards, Vocals
Chris “Willie” Williams – Drums

Built around Steve’s melodic songwriting and expressive guitar playing, Gnatural combines groove-driven bass lines, rich keyboard textures, dynamic drumming, and thoughtful three-part harmonies to create a sound that is both intricate and accessible. Their music balances structured songwriting with moments of improvisation, making each performance a fresh experience.

Now an active part of Asbury Park’s thriving music community, Gnatural continues to develop its sound through live shows and studio work, bringing a mix of rhythm, melody, and energy to every performance.

🔗 Follow for updates on shows, releases, and more.
📷 @gnaturalband
📘 Gnatural

Redbird

Redbird (aka Danielle Marrone) is a versatile New Jersey native whose musical journey spans over 25 years, captivating audiences with her sultry voice and eclectic performances. Her acoustic sets traverse a wide array of genres, including rock, blues, classic rock, standards, oldies, Americana, southern rock, and pop, all infused with her unique signature sound.

Throughout her extensive career, Redbird has graced numerous renowned venues such as the Stone Pony, the Wonder Bar, The Vogel, The Fastlane, Union County Performing Arts Center, Stockton Performing Arts Center, and Albert Music Hall. Her dynamic presence has also been a highlight at various festivals and events, including the Light of Day Winterfest, Asbury Park Porchfest, Red Bank Riverfest, Central Jersey Beerfest, Wells Mills Jamborees, Martin on Main, and the Allaire Americana Festival. Her involvement in the local music scene has led to appearances on local television programs, radio airplay, and contributions to albums featured on MTV’s “Undressed.”

In addition to her live performances, Redbird is a multi-instrumentalist, proficient in guitar, keyboards, and bass. She is currently channeling her rich musical experiences into her all-original debut album, “Breaking Through,” slated for release in April 2025. This upcoming album is highly anticipated by her growing fan base and is expected to showcase her depth as a songwriter and musician.

🔗 Follow for updates on shows, releases, and more.
📍 WEBSITE
📷 @redbirdflyingsolo
📘 Redbird Flying Solo

Shotgun Curly

Curly (aka Karen Schleifer) is a true multi-hyphenate artist who started her performance career on Broadway in the original production of Annie. After learning to play guitar and becoming a songwriter (her first album Only The Ocean was released in 2003 in Laguna Beach, CA) she moved back home and started jamming regularly on St. Marks Place in NYC. It was then that Shotgun Curly was born – a band with rotating members playing Curly originals, rock, blues, and everything in between. Curly has played such notable venues as Rockwood Music Hall, The Bitter End, Parkside Lounge, Pianos, Kenny’s Castaways, Funkadelic Studios, Tribeca Grill, The Transparent Clinch Gallery, The Asbury Hotel, The Asbury Ocean Club, The Break, Seahorse Asbury Park — and a whole bunch of other places in NYC, down the shore and across the country.

🔗 Follow for updates on shows, releases, and more.
📍 WEBSITE
📷 @shotguncurly
📘 Shotgun Curly

Alexander Simone

Alexander Simone, a multi-talented singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Asbury Park, New Jersey, has been deeply influenced by the city’s rich musical heritage. His paternal grandmother, a pastor, encouraged him to pursue music, and his maternal grandmother, the legendary Nina Simone, played a significant role in shaping his artistic identity.

As a teenager, Simone’s passion for music led him to create compositions and earn money as an artist while working in his church. He developed his stage presence and learned the power of his voice to uplift people through his work as a choir director and worship leader.

After overcoming personal challenges, Simone re-emerged in his 20s as a dynamic vocalist and established himself in the indie music scene. His passionate live performances and projects such as Black Man Thoughts elevated his following and gained support from national platforms like Sirius XM’s Shade45 station.

Simone’s ability to build relationships with other artists led him to host spontaneous jam sessions, which eventually evolved into his band, Whodat? Live Crew. As a performer, Simone took the stage at the 2021 Sea.Hear.Now Festival, where he had the opportunity to share the spotlight with legendary musician Eddie Vedder. This experience sparked the release of Simone and Whodat? Live Crew’s debut single, “Even Now,” as well as the VIBES EP in 2022. Building on this momentum, Simone and Whodat? Live Crew performed at the Sea.Hear.Now Festival in 2023, this time opening for the Grammy Award-winning Foo Fighters.

The exposure from these shows sparked Simone’s desire to share more music with the new audience, ultimately leading to national recognition after the release of his single, “Man Down.” The powerful song resonated with many who were struggling to cope with the chaos of the world, earning coverage in national music platforms like American Songwriter, Soul Bounce, DittyTV, and Stitched Sound.

As an artist who embodies the spirit of his legendary grandmother, Simone’s relatable lyrics, emotive delivery, and energetic live performances demonstrate his commitment to authenticity, vulnerability, and uplifting the Simone name for a new generation of music fans.

🔗 Follow for updates on shows, releases, and more.
📍 WEBSITE
📷 @alexandersimoneofficial
📘 Alexander Simone