The James Moody Democracy of Jazz Festival will be held from Oct. 15-21 at several venues in the Newark area. It’s named for saxophonist and Newark resident James Moody, who died in 2010.

George Benson, The Manhattan Transfer and Terence Blanchard are among the acts scheduled to perform at the festival, which will spotlight the music of many jazz musicians with ties to Newark. It’s being presented by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, in partnership with WBGO-FM radio.

The festival also will feature the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, a talent search that will culminate with an Oct. 21 concert at NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.