Where did summer go? All of a sudden you look up and it’s Labor Day weekend. Don’t fret for there are many new music releases and summer concerts all around so get out and enjoy them!
AFRICAN FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS – Washington Park – Chicago
In addition to the phenomenal African marketplace, art, and food, there is some great music lined up for this year’s African Festival of the Arts. Friday, 8/29, Donnie, Lizz Wright, Roy Hargrove and The RH Factor, and Kindred will be on stage. Saturday, 8/30, Pharoah Sanders, Dazz Band, Bar Kays, Con Funk Shun, and Lenny Williams. Sunday, 8/31, Les Nubians and Chaka Khan. Monday, 9/1, Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago and The Gap Band. The Chicago Reader has a complete listing of performers and showtimes.
OAKLAND ART AND SOUL FESTIVAL
Reggae singer Ziggy Marley headlines the Plaza Stage on Sunday, August 31, presented by KFOG 104.5 FM. R&B/Jazz vocalist Rachelle Ferrell will be performing on Monday, September 1 with special guest, her brother Russ Barnes. Check the Oakland Art & Soul Festival website for a complete listing of times and events.
Are you looking for the current and upcoming events in the Bay Area? Check out The Lineup and SF Station for comprehensive information on all the latest happenings.
NEW MUSIC RELEASES
As hard as I try, I just cannot keep up with all the good music that is out. As I was browsing the record stores last weekend, I found a few noteworthy titles in addition to what I have listed in the Upcoming Grooves section.
Narada Jazz recently released a new album from Ramsey Lewis and Nancy Wilson entitled Simple Pleasures, a follow up to their pairing on last year’s Meant to Be album. Urban Knights are back with a new release, Urban Knights V. Narada has also signed Incognito for their U.S. release of their Who Needs Love album on September 30.
Jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut has a brand new release on Warner Brothers Jazz entitled You Are My Sunshine. It is definitely my favorite of the week along with Kurt Elling’s new release Man in the Air and Dianne Reeves’ new release A Little Moonlight.
Pianist Danilo Pérez features vocalist Lizz Wright on two songs on his new Verve Release, …Till Then. He provided the amazing piano work on “Afro Blue” on her Salt album.
Speaking of Lizz Wright, “Spike Lee To Direct New Lizz Wright Video”
donnie was so not on point at Washington Park on Friday…
Roy Hargrove sounds like a good tune to get, listen, and chill to perhaps.
Lizz Wright is fantastic…I think I might get this one.
Keep up the outstanding work 🙂