Amazing Slate of Artists On Board for Sunset Jam 2026

The 6th Annual Sunset Jam will take place on July 15th 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 2026 Sunset Jam Fundraiser:

Sunset Jam 2026 House Band

This year, our house band is led by musical director “Stevie G”, a guitarist and songwriter whose compositions blend rock, funk, and melody-driven arrangements.

🔗Follow the links below for each artist to stay updated on upcoming shows, new releases, and more.

Steve Gregoire – Guitar; Steve is a guitarist and keyboardist who built his career touring nationwide with a New York City–based band, developing a versatile sound rooted in feel and live performance. After 16 years in the city, he relocated to Asbury Park, inspired by performing at the inaugural Sunset Jam in 2021—an event he has proudly been part of ever since, now celebrating its sixth year!

Deeply influenced by live music culture, he honed the art of improvisation by attending over 200 Phish concerts, an experience that profoundly shaped his musical instincts, spontaneity, and connection with audiences.

At a benefit show in New York City, he had the opportunity to perform alongside Clarence Clemons, an experience that helped refine his approach to musicianship and stage presence. He has played some of New York’s most respected stages, including The Wetlands, Brooklyn Bowl, Gramercy Theatre, Irving Plaza, and The Cutting Room, as well as iconic Asbury Park spots like The Stone Pony, The Wonder Bar, and the Transparent Clinch Gallery. These stages have helped shape his identity as a live performer, comfortable in both high-energy rooms and more intimate settings.
📍 WEBSITE
📷 @steviegnatural
📘 Stevie G

Jason “Jay” Lynch  – Bass Guitar; After his parents vetoed the acquisition of a drum set, Jason picked up a bass at 14. It stuck. From school orchestras and jazz ensembles to clubs and theaters around the Northeast, he’s spent the last 35 years playing pretty much everything: rock, blues, country, funk, jazz, & pop.

His happy place is in the back, locking in with the drummer. These days that means splitting time between a Radiohead tribute band (Colin Greenwood has become its own obsession), backing singer-songwriters around the Northeast, or working in his home studio.
📷@jaylynchbass_nyc
📘Jay Lynch

Kyle Bokert – Keyboard; Kyle is a multi-instrumentalist based out of Brooklyn. You can catch him performing in NYC’s premier hits cover band, The Petty Toms, or leading the house band in the DIY variety show, Apartmentville. He loves all types of music and long walks on the beach.
📷 @newguykyle
📘 Kyle Bokert

Chris Russo – Drums; Chris has spent the last 25 + years building a reputation as a professional, performer, studio musician and music educator. Chris has been a contributing member of several prominent song writer’s projects and bands within the Asbury Park music scene. Chris has drummed for such artists and bands as the Shady Street Show Band, Cranston Dean, Josh Zuckerman, Kevin Hill, Jack L (Ireland), Capita, the Green Room, exit 105 & Coma Ghost. Chris continues to contribute and perform with local artists such as Ryan Greg Trio, Shayne and the People, Steve Reilly, the Bridge street Posse, Heavy Mouth and Steven Keene. This will also be his first time supporting the artists at Sunset Jam.

Featured Artists

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 Music

Meraki

Meraki is a New Jersey based jam band with music that captivates the crowd and pulsates the dance floor. Get ready to experience Meraki’s unique style that integrates the evolving futuristic elements of music with the spirit of iconic jam bands and classic Rock & Roll. There’s no doubt you’ll get hooked on the genre bending music and catchy vocal melodies and get lost in the jams as the band’s rhythmic alchemy takes you on an epic journey of sound.

Formed by Gregory Visci (songwriter/vocals/guitar/keys), rock & jam band Meraki was established in Providence, Rhode Island in 2017. The band quickly became a staple in the New England circuit. Greg moved back to his home state of New Jersey in 2022 and introduced Meraki’s sound to historic Asbury Park. Meraki has been off to a hot start in their new home, truly embracing the spirit of the term from which they derived their name, pouring their collective energy into every performance. Meraki boasts a catalog of 30+ original songs drawing influence bands including Led Zeppelin, Talking Heads, Pink Floyd, The Doors, Phish, The Grateful Dead, Lotus & The Disco Biscuits. Meraki has played over 50 shows since 2023 and shows no signs of slowing down. The band has rapidly gained new fans from their stellar performances, highlighted by their headline show at the Wonder Bar and 7 shows at the Stone Pony- playing the iconic venue’s pre shows for Dark Star Orchestra (x2) and Dogs in a Pile as well as sharing 4 cobills with Splintered Sunlight.

🔗 Follow for updates on shows, releases, and more.
📍 WEBSITE
📷@merakijams
📘Meraki

Redbird

Redbird is a Jersey Shore–based singer-songwriter known for her soulful voice, heartfelt lyrics, and emotionally rich performances. An active part of the Asbury Park music community, she was recently nominated for an Asbury Music Award. Her newest single, “Hope”, showcases her gift for finding light and resilience through song. 

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

Ryan Gregg

Ryan’s masterful piano playing has echoes of so much of American roots music. Blues, rock, soul, and even vaudeville are everywhere in Ryan’s music, but his style is uniquely his own. His prolific career as a musician and producer has taken him from playing amphitheaters to intimate clubs, as a session musician and as an original artist, adding his unique voice to projects he’s been a part of across the country.

Ryan has also stepped in on piano, keys and organ with a number of artists and projects, including Eric Lindell, Dana Fuchs, J.T. Bowen, Roosevelt Collier, Oteil Burbridge, The Lee Boys, Scott Sharrard, “Stormin” Norman Seldin, The Ocean Avenue Stompers, Melody Trucks, Soul Project Nola, Uncle Scotchy & Juke, Des & the Swagmatics, Jet Weston & the Atomic Ranch Hands, Matt O’Ree, Arlan Feiles, The Black Flamingos, The Billy Walton Band, and many others.

Ryan currently resides right outside of New York City and serves as a regular member of the Ocean Avenue Stompers, as well as continuing to collaborate on a multitude of different projects as a player and producer.

Ryan released his solo EP, “Hustling in Place,” in 2024, available everywhere.

🔗 Follow for updates on shows, releases, and more.
📍 WEBSITE
📷 @ryangreggmusic
📘 Ryan Gregg
🎶 @ryangreggmusic

Shotgun Curly

SHOTGUN CURLY (aka Karen Maria Schleifer) is a true multi-hyphenate artist, born & bred in NYC. She started her professional performance career on Broadway in the original production of Annie. After graduating from SUNY Purchase, she moved to CA and was inspired to play guitar by her buddy Jonathan Dyke. It was there that she developed her skills as a songwriter, which led to her 1st studio album “Only The Ocean.” (Recorded at Magic Carpet Studios, Hollywood). 

After a decade out west, she made the journey back east and started jamming regularly at 27 St. Marks Place in NYC. It was there that Shotgun Curly was born – what has become a musical adventure with rotating members playing Curly originals, rock, pop, blues and everything in between.

These days she’s not only a working musician but also a union stage manager on the off-broadway circuit and around the country. Curly is on the roster for Jersey Select Entertainment and has played such notable venues as The Transparent Clinch Gallery, The Asbury Hotel, Convention Hall, Triumph Brewery, Rockwood Music Hall, The Bitter End, Parkside Lounge, Kenny’s Castaways, Funkadelic Studios — and a whole lotta other places in NYC, down the shore and across the country. Proud member of the Bradley Beach Arts Council! 

In 2026 she is releasing 1 song every 3 weeks until the end of the year – in total 21 original works(including an EP “8118” and a full length album “Yes, You Can Touch It”)!!

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