Features
John Legend, Jill Scott, André 3000 Headlining Blue Note Jazz Festival Presents: The Black Radio Experience
Blue Note Entertainment Group and Black Radio Productions announced the lineup for their new festival in Napa Valley. John Legend, Jill Scott and André 3000 will headline Blue Note Jazz Festival Presents: The Black Radio Experience, a boutique festival taking place at The Meritage Resort & Spa from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1.
The star-studded festival curated by Grammy winner Robert Glasper celebrates Black culture and will also feature Andra Day, Common, Nile Rodgers, Ledisi, Tank and The Bangas, Cimafunk, Marcus Miller, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Madlib, Christian McBride, Pete Rock, Joel Ross, Terrace Martin, Jahi Sundance, Kendrick Scott, Derrick Hodge, Marsha Ambrosius, Eric Roberson, RC & The Gritz, DJ Aktive, Bryan Michael-Cox and Musiq Soulchild.
“Every year our festival in Napa brings a unique vibe, and this year we are bringing you the Black Radio Experience during Labor Day weekend with a dope list of artists for an exclusive hang,” Glapser said in a statement.
The Black Radio Experience, which will be hosted by Sway Calloway, builds on Blue Note’s previous two successful festivals in Napa Valley and aims to provide an intimate experience that goes beyond music with a “special lineup of food, wine, art and cultural experiences” complementing Glasper’s vision, Blue Note Director of Programming Alex Kurland told Pollstar in March.
“The process around the talent lineup has been a result of Robert Glasper’s vibe and the culture of Blue Note Jazz Club,” Kurland, who is also a talent buyer at Blue Note, told Pollstar. “Robert’s artistry, influence, background, taste and his aura shape the talent and tone each year. The meeting point and connections between everything going on within the spaces of jazz, R&B, hip-hop and beyond are what the lineup draws from.
“I think the festival’s artistry is more about the vibe than placing labels around genres or categories. The elements of improvisation and spontaneity are richly celebrated,” he adds. “Collaboration moments occur organically. Robert’s influence and inspiration creates a strong bond amongst the artists and culture bearers in attendance.”
Three-day general admission passes start at $499 and go on sale May 16 at 9 a.m. PST. Hotel packages and VIP experiences are also available. For information about the event and tickets, visit the event website at https://www.bluenotejazz.com/black-radio-experience/.