Now in its fourth year, the Richmond Jazz Festival was once again a big hit! It is so wonderful to see Richmond truly becoming a music city where varied National bands choose to play and where people come from out of town to attend. The weather tried to disrupt the festival, but the faithful jazz fans were not deterred. The band lineup was amazing. It was difficult to choose which bands to see since there were two stages on Sunday. I watched most of the bands on the Virginia is for Lovers stage with The K.G. Experience from Richmond, Virginia opened the day with their funk style jazz. They got the crowd moving. Love Logic band followed with several members of Richmond's Jazz Poet Society in attendance.
Grammy award winner Terence Blanchard and his band were truly remarkable. This band has so much talent that each band member could definitely be a solo act on their own. When you put that much talent together the jazz is incredible. I really liked the way Kendrick Scott (Drums) played on Wayne Shorter's song "Foot Prints" with an almost record scratching beat.
Cuban-emigre, Miami-based band Tiempo - Libre is truly an amazing act to see. I love finding new music and this band is fantastic! Wow, I was blown away and so was the crowd. Their blend of Cuban timbre is kind of hyper-salsa jazz that gets the crowd on their feet dancing. Several people in the crowed formed a conga line and danced around the venue. This band is addictive. They all sing, dance and play powerful solos. You should really see this band, just make sure that it is at a big venue because everyone will be dancing. Resistance is futile.
Dr. John and The Nite Trippers played in the scorching heat of the day. Dr. John, at age 73, didn't let it bother him at all. He was dressed from head to toe in a great 1970's attire looking as dapper as ever and sounding exactly like he did back in the day. The band opening with a fan favorite, "Let the Good Times Roll", and he dedicated it to the U.S.A. solders.
Chick Corea & the Vigil played as dusk fell. The jazz fusion fans went wild. This master of jazz is an incredible musician to see with the music echoing of days past with Miles Davis and Return to Forever. Richmond was honored by his presence and he was truly humble. The set was way too short and it left the fans wanting more. Let's hope this band returns next year.
I have seen the Wailers play many times before and Richmond loves great reggae. The band got the fans to their feet singing and dancing with many of their well known songs. I could only hear if from afar as I tried to see two stages at once, but you could tell that the crowd loved the show.
The closing act was Michael McDonald. I was surprised by this choice, not because I do not like him, but because there were just too many good bands from which to choose. I am glad that I didn't have to make this decision. Michael played 17 songs! I was really impressed. I have seen him play with The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan and solo many times and I was wondering how he would address this diverse group of fans. Well, he truly delighted them. He played something for everyone. There were songs from all of his former days with a song to sooth every soul in attendance. By the end of the show everyone was singing and dancing and demanding more! For the encore the band performed Eric Clapton's "I Could Change the World". There was so much love put into this performance that everyone's dopamine levels were off he charts. What a great choice.
I must thank the folks who organized this wonderful event. It was well organized, directed and ran so smoothly even with the rain. It is truly a gift to Richmond. I sure hope this festival continues to grow and bring the folks and the communities together through the love of music.
by: Rebecca Maguire
Grammy award winner Terence Blanchard and his band were truly remarkable. This band has so much talent that each band member could definitely be a solo act on their own. When you put that much talent together the jazz is incredible. I really liked the way Kendrick Scott (Drums) played on Wayne Shorter's song "Foot Prints" with an almost record scratching beat.
Cuban-emigre, Miami-based band Tiempo - Libre is truly an amazing act to see. I love finding new music and this band is fantastic! Wow, I was blown away and so was the crowd. Their blend of Cuban timbre is kind of hyper-salsa jazz that gets the crowd on their feet dancing. Several people in the crowed formed a conga line and danced around the venue. This band is addictive. They all sing, dance and play powerful solos. You should really see this band, just make sure that it is at a big venue because everyone will be dancing. Resistance is futile.
Dr. John and The Nite Trippers played in the scorching heat of the day. Dr. John, at age 73, didn't let it bother him at all. He was dressed from head to toe in a great 1970's attire looking as dapper as ever and sounding exactly like he did back in the day. The band opening with a fan favorite, "Let the Good Times Roll", and he dedicated it to the U.S.A. solders.
Chick Corea & the Vigil played as dusk fell. The jazz fusion fans went wild. This master of jazz is an incredible musician to see with the music echoing of days past with Miles Davis and Return to Forever. Richmond was honored by his presence and he was truly humble. The set was way too short and it left the fans wanting more. Let's hope this band returns next year.
I have seen the Wailers play many times before and Richmond loves great reggae. The band got the fans to their feet singing and dancing with many of their well known songs. I could only hear if from afar as I tried to see two stages at once, but you could tell that the crowd loved the show.
The closing act was Michael McDonald. I was surprised by this choice, not because I do not like him, but because there were just too many good bands from which to choose. I am glad that I didn't have to make this decision. Michael played 17 songs! I was really impressed. I have seen him play with The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan and solo many times and I was wondering how he would address this diverse group of fans. Well, he truly delighted them. He played something for everyone. There were songs from all of his former days with a song to sooth every soul in attendance. By the end of the show everyone was singing and dancing and demanding more! For the encore the band performed Eric Clapton's "I Could Change the World". There was so much love put into this performance that everyone's dopamine levels were off he charts. What a great choice.
I must thank the folks who organized this wonderful event. It was well organized, directed and ran so smoothly even with the rain. It is truly a gift to Richmond. I sure hope this festival continues to grow and bring the folks and the communities together through the love of music.
by: Rebecca Maguire
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