The 2023 Levitate Music & Arts Festival made a huge splash this past weekend receiving a 10 for style, a 10 for creativity, and a 10 for overall great vibes as this wicked sweet New England festival celebrated its 10th anniversary! Born out of the basement of a surf shop bearing the same name back in 2003, Levitate is still embodying all that is creative, connected to nature, and community-oriented in New England. Friends and families from all across the globe flocked to Marshfield, MA for a weekend filled with music, art, dancing, fantastic food, face painting, flower crowns, and FUN… HOT fun in the summertime!

Steve Rondo, a New England indie-rock native, kicked off Levitate’s stellar lineup by filling the Soul Stage at the Marshfield Fairgrounds with a profound and poetic performance. You wouldn’t have guessed it was Rondo’s first major festival because he looked comfortable and sounded great. Festival goers provided Rondo with an enthusiastic send-off as he prepares to embark on his debut tour of the Northeast!

Collie Buddz brought their sweet sounds & sexy summer vibrations as musical beats and buds flowed through Style Stage in celebration. In the heat of the sun, Buddz' messages of the good life resonated with fans. I kept my ear to the ground throughout the festival and heard buzzing long into the night about how Collie Buddz's performance was a highlight for lucky early festival attendees.

The Q-Tip Bandits, a Boston-based band, lived up to their description as a “smooth yet powerful sound, backed by the raw energy of rock and the coolness and colors of R&B and funk — with palpable grooves coated with savory, soul-inspired riffs, anthemic horns, and meaningful lyrics.” The Q-Tip Bandits grabbed Levitate life by their horns and made us all want to boogie with our friends, old and new alike.

Kickin’ off the Stoke Stage lineup on the hottest day of the festival, New York City-based band Melt certainly lived up to their name. Sweaty, enthusiastic fans were melted by the sun and the smooth vocals, groovy beats, hot horns, and rockin’ guitar licks emanating from the stage. Melt made waves at Levitate and the heat of the sun failed to deter festivalgoers from getting down with this band.

On hot summer weekends like these, sometimes we forget that hydration is just as important as getting to the next performance. The best way to Levitate is to hydrate! The one downside to the fest is the lack of shaded areas. At Levitate there were a variety of beverage options including water, lemonade, and summer juices (shoutout to Mother Juice for the delicious smoothie that reinvigorated me before Goose)!  The food at the fest was fantastic and “hit the spot” every time. Although it was impossible to try it all, I will say the line at the Broccoli Bar was always long and the ambience/vibe there was always warm and welcoming. Many healthy options to choose from and many mouthwatering “treat yo self” options! Easy to find food that makes you go “Mmmmm!”

The California Honeydrops were smack dab in the middle of the festival lineup spreadin’ honey on the Style Stage. Starting off with an energetic “Cry For Me”, I expected a second line to start at any moment. Festival goers dipped and swirled and dove and twirled, and danced in celebration (as moe. would say)! This band was on fire with hot horns, lovely lyrics, and more tasty guitar licks. Pleased and perspiring people dancing everywhere wishing for a parasol in the sweet July heat.

Winding down le musique on le Soul Stage lineup, lespecial closed out Friday with a rockin’ performance leaving festival goers with jaws dropped, faces melted, and an insatiable itch to listen to more of this Prog-tronic Power Trio! As a person who loves to rock out, I always enjoy their performances and leave a bit face melted. lespecial is truly special and certainly an act to add to your “must-see” list when planning future festive weekends.

In between Melt and headliner Stick Figure, the Stoke Stage was feelin’ Ripe as this alternative-pop quartet emanated good vibes in the middle of Levitate’s first day. Ripe’s bopping tunes kept the crowd moving to the grooves as their exuberant stage presence was carefree and contagious. They were a perfect act to give the Levitate crowd that extra boost they needed to get up and dance, plus an effective, inadvertent reminder to hydrate!

Closing out the Style Stage in absolute style was Lucius! Their electric performance was the buzz that kept on buzzing long after the festival ended. Lucius was a top favorite for many of the attendees I spoke with post-festival. Their harmonic set brought joy to listeners and their cover of Cher’s “Believe” was a crowd favorite. A big thank you to Lucius for doing what they do so well, and for sore bodies and happy ears Friday night.

Stick Figure closed out the first night of Levitate opening their set with a sweet reggae version of Pink Floyd’s “Have a Cigar” and playing an outstanding 18-song set featuring a Sublime cover, “Doin’ Time,” and cheerful cover of Phish’s “YEM” (aka “You Enjoy Myself”). These cats are not new to the Levitate Music and Arts Festival scene, as they continue to bring positive vibrations each time they perform. Stick Figure was another crowd favorite and the perfect act to close out day one, leaving the festival attendees feelin’ irie!

Day two of The Levitate Music & Arts Festival began with a pair of stellar acts. The Birch Swart Band (listed in the program as Birch & Anna) started out the day at the Soul Stage with their high-spirited performance. They brought that jubilant day two energy and reeled in music lovers quite seamlessly, ending with a large crowd and sweat ‘n’ smiles for miles. Donavon Frankenreiter seemed stoked to be back at Levitate, kicking off the mainstage festivities for an hour-long set filled with outstanding guitar playing and fun-loving inspirational lyrics. Frankenreiter and his brilliant band were a perfect way to start another sunny Saturday at the Levitate!

The only songs to fill the air in the early afternoon on Saturday came from John Craigie on the Style Stage. Dedicated Craigie fans and new fans alike swayed, danced, and laughed a lot. Cragie’s opening original song “Dissect the Bird '' really broke the ice as fans laughed at the cleverness in his lyrics. He captivated the Levitate audience with his profound storytelling and gained an abundance of new fans, including me!

Peach Pit, a guitar-driven indie-pop band from Vancouver, Canada, serenaded the mainstage audience in the late afternoon, while at the other end of the festival, The Heavy Heavy from Brighton UK sent their psychedelic and gritty rock show to the music lovers gathered at the Soul Stage. There are always hard choices for any festival attendee to make when it comes to which competing acts to see. Sometimes you just happen to be there and the artist on stage sucks you in. That’s what happened to me. The Heavy Heavy grabbed me and rocked my gypsy soul, sending me to a sublime cerebral space that transported me to another time without the influence of… other substances. This fresh and beautiful band is not one to be missed, even if you do have to peel yourself away from a juicy Peach Pit or stay right where you are. These bands were a blast and I’m personally looking forward to hearing more from both.

To think Levitate couldn’t get any higher, Lime Cordiale sparked up the Style Stage at 4:20 PM without folks having to pass since they were the only act on stage at the time. The rhythmic crowd really dug into this outstanding pop-rock group’s performance. It was evident on stage how much brothers and founders Louis Stanley Leimbach (on bass guitar, trumpet, vocals, and kazoo) and Oliver Jay "Oli" Leimbach (on guitar, clarinet and vocals) LOVE what they do and LOVE their fans for loving them.

Ending the day at the Soul Stage, Celisse made our hearts soar with powerful messages of equality, truth, and beauty as she shared her gift of song and guitar shreddin’! With revolution in the air and tears in people’s eyes, she sang the words so many of us needed to hear. Celisse holdin’ down the Soul Stage with style and superb musicianship was another highlight for many Levitators!

Then there was Goose. GOOOOOOOSE! Goose was the answer I heard the most when I asked who folks were most excited to see Saturday. Still flyin’ high from their wildly successful debut show at SPAC the night before, Goose soared into Levitate “flying V” style with a whole gaggle of fans behind them. This five-piece Connecticut-based band of awesomesauce has been gaining speed since 2016, and rightfully so. Every single member of Goose are eminent musicians and the band has built a fun-loving and rapidly-growing fanbase of dedicated followers; similar to that of the band Phish from Vermont. Goose’s setlist at Levitate was short and sweet with 6 songs, including fan favorites “All I Need” and “Arcadia”, plus a cover of Blind Melon’s “No Rain”, and a whole lot of high-quality jamming in between. An added mention and tip of the hat to their LD, Andrew Goedde, for creating one of the best light shows I have ever experienced... every time. Thanks to Levitate for bringing Goose to lift us up higher because that’s what they do - fly high - HONK!

Closing out the Stylin Stage on Saturday, The Elovaters (progressive roots/reggae) elevated the mood of Levitators as they sang songs of simple livin’ and summer lovin’. The Elovaters’ tunes are impossible to not dance along with since everyone was doing it!

Trey Anastasio Band (aka TAB), the sweet supergroup of all-star musicians including two of my favorite horn players and female backup vocalists Jennifer Hartswick (trumpet) and Natalie Cressman (trombone), was a highly-anticipated show by Levitators of all ages. TAB brought the fire from the start reminding us that “we’re all in here together in a spirit family” by opening with “Set Your Soul Free;” the first of 7 Phish covers weaved throughout their 13-song set: “The Moma Dance”, “Ghost”, “Wolfman’s Brother”, “A Life Beyond the Dream”, “Everything’s Right”, and “First Tube” were the other Phish tunes to grace us lucky Levitators. Trey’s original TAB tunes “Cayman”, “Simple Twist Up Dave”, “Push On ‘Til the Day”, “A Wave of Hope”, “About to Run”, “Money Love,” and “Change” were all so perfectly placed in the setlist and sounded like perfection. TAB is not Phish (from VT), albeit Trey being the leading man, and their occasional Phish covers. Always a hot show and a cool way to end day two of Levitate.

They always say “never miss a Sunday show” and Levitate’s Sunday lineup was no exception to that rule. Levitate did not offer a stream of their festival, so couch tour was not an option to catch the band Couch who kicked off the musical festivities on day three on the Stoke Stage. They filled the air with their funky pop rock R&B/soul music ‘n’ phenomenal harmonies. Those who made it off the couch and got to the festival had a funky good time to start the last fest day.

In the late afternoon, Veronica Lewis and her keys graced the Soul Stage wowing the audience with her Jerry Lee Lewis meets Professor Longhair vibes, her soulful voice, and an infectiously happy/energetic stage presence. I wanted to stay for the whole set but Ziggy Marley was calling my heart to the mainstage. Ziggy and his band spread their love through the gift of song ever so sweetly on Sunday at 3:20 PM (hey, it’s 4:20 somewhere)! The main stage was jam-packed full of folks feelin’ the reggae vibrations in the hot sun. Little kids held up their signs to hear “Dragonfly” (which was #13 out of a 15-song setlist) and folks of different ages, gender, and ethnicities all grooved to Ziggy Marley’s music. The crowd went wild when the band covered Ziggy’s dad’s tunes (“Get Up Stand Up”, “Is This Love”, and “Jamming”) and cheered loud when the female backup vocalists/dancers got in a lil dance break here and there. The whole show was phenomenal just like it always is every time I see Ziggy.

Larkin Poe was one of the bands on the Levitate lineup I can’t believe I’d not heard of before Sunday. For someone who likes The Black Keys and whose life was saved by rock ‘n’ roll, I was all in from the start. These fiery and talented sisters, Rebecca & Megan Lovell, are Grammy-nominated singer/songwriters, and multi-instrumentalists creating their own brand of Roots Rock 'n' Roll: gritty, soulful, and flavored by their southern roots. Originally from Atlanta and currently living in Nashville, they will leave you with your faces melted and bowing before the rock goddesses they are and will continue to be in the future!

If you’re someone who tells folks to go see Christone “Kingfish” Ingram play, thank you. You’re making the world a better place. If someone tells you to see this man perform live, you go. No questions asked. I was new to Kingfish’s music on Sunday and the moment he started playing I was hooked. The way this 24 year old gem sings the blues is smooth like butter and he plays a smokin’ hot guitar that sizzles in the same seasoned skillet as B.B. King and Jimi Hendrix. Kingfish’s performance was another reminder never to miss a Sunday show at Levitate. So glad I caught it!

Warming up the Stoke Stage for headliner Brandi Carlile, artist Shakey Graves brought the heat for Sunday evening’s Levitate mainstage lineup. Identifying as an Americana musician from Texas, Shakey Graves showed us his rock and roll, country, folk, and blues influences for Sunday’s performance; proving how wide he can spread his musical wings. The audience was glued during this seamless set that sounded so darn good! There’s a reason why Shakey Graves was on the agenda of every Levitator I asked. He’s another crowd favorite and we tip our western hats to you, SG! Keep those doggie’s rollin’ and we can’t wait to see you again!

Rebelution was the last band to rock the Style Stage this festival season. The crowd loved that chronic Cali reggae music and didn’t stop dancing until it was Brandi time!

Brandi Carlile was the perfect bookend to a stellar 10th-anniversary celebration of Levitate Music &  Arts Festival. Bringing the audience to tears from the very beginning (“Stay Gentle” into “Over the Rainbow”), she set the mood of peace, love, and inclusion for an amazing 15-song set to close the 10th Anniversary of Levitate. “Broken Horses,” appeared to be a crowd favorite from her most recent album as voices echoed throughout the fairgrounds. The band played 6 songs from her 2021 album, In These Silent Days, including “You and Me On The Rock” featuring Lucius (due to a flight mishap and the universe conspiring in our favor). New and older songs alike, Brandi warmed the hearts of her many dedicated fans and wowed concertgoers unfamiliar with her profound lyrics, rockin’ stage presence, and seriously tight touring band. To think her band couldn’t get better, the beautiful and talented SistaStrings added a whole new level of awesome to the touring act. The next Brandi Carlile show can’t come soon enough, but then again it’ll be “Right On Time”, just like the next Levitate.

Check out more photos from Levitate 2023.

Wow! What a long, strange trip it’s been. Here I am at the beginning of a beautiful New England fall, basking in the glowing memories of the best end-of-summer musical celebration Martha’s Vineyard has to offer: Beach Road Weekend Music Festival (BRW). The whole experience reminds me of how lucky we are to have these opportunities to witness such historical once-in-a-lifetime music in the making. If you don’t know what magical music in the making I speak of, let’s turn to the team responsible for curating the line-up for this annual 3-day fun-stravaganza fest! BRW has always had its finger on the pulse of what music lovers are listening to. If you were fortunate enough to be on the island of Martha’s Vineyard (MVY) kickin’ it at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Vineyard Haven on August 25-27th, 2023 *inhale*, you were undoubtedly witness to the manifestation of musical magic from a plethora of incredible acts performing on each of the festival’s two massive side-by-side stages!

In the past, this festival has featured legendary artists such as John Fogerty, Phil Lesh & Friends, Emmylou Harris, Beck, Wilco, The Avett Brothers, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Billy Strings, moe., and many MANY mo’. This year’s lineup lived up to festivals past right out of (and right through) the gate with a stunning performance by rising-star Maggie Rose on the MVY Radio Stage. Bloomin big’, Rose showed us what she’s made of (a nod to her song “Do It”) warming up the stage that Bon Iver would be closing later that evening! Following Rose, singer-songwriter Kevin Morby serenaded the wave of growing festival attendees on the Vineyard Wind Stage; the same stage Patti Smith and Her Band would close out later in the day

John Hiatt, singer-songwriter from the 70s who was recognized for his songwriting talent at 16-years-old, started his set out by singin’ 5 consecutive southern-themed tunes: “Memphis in the Meantime” > “Tennessee Plates” > “Train to Birmingham” > “Drive South” > “Crossing Muddy Waters." Haitt finished his 9-song set with 4 love songs: “Cry Love” > “Feels Like Rain” > “Thing Called Love” > “Have a Little Faith In Me.” I was previously familiar with Bonnie Rait’s version of, “Thing Called Love,” and was blown away to learn how many prominent artists cover John Hiatt originals. Folks swayed and sang along to Hiatt’s closing song, “Have a Little Faith in Me,” and though the weather was a bit wet throughout Friday’s funtimes, the rain couldn't put a damper on this sea of love!

Smiles spread throughout the park as festival attendees turned their attention to Caamp, one of the few returning bands from last year’s lineup. Captivating the audience from the very first note of “Huckleberry Love,” Caamp played 6 original tunes before treating the crowd to a fun-loving version of “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere,” by Neil Young & Crazy Horse. If festival goers were unaware how awesome Caamp was beforehand, they most certainly know now. Up next, The Head and the Heart was equally adored by the Beach Road audience, filling the air with mesmerizing vocals, harmonies, and beats that produced some serious dance moves/head bobs. They ended their epic 13-song set with “Rivers and Roads,” one of their most iconic and crowd-pleasing songs from their debut self-titled album in 2011. This reminds me of the many rivers and roads (and part of an ocean!) that folks had to cross just to get to BRW!

Patti Smith and Her Band made giant ripples with an eclectic and electric 11-song set. Smith kicked off with one of her most iconic songs, “People Have the Power,” which gave all the people goosebumps. Tears filled the eyes of audience members who were visibly moved by what Patti was preaching; a message still ringing true 35 years later. Aside from her timeless originals, Smith covered an Allen Ginsberg poem, “Footnote to Howl,” and dedicated her next original song, “Waiting Underground,” to him sharing with the audience the love and respect she had/has for this anti-war activist/poet/teacher; “someone who continued to put himself on the line over and over for human rights,” she said facing the crowd.

Perhaps there was some good ol’ Acapulco gold inspiration circulating around 4:20 in the afternoon Friday because Patti Smith and Her Band’s version of Neil Young and Crazy Horse “After the Gold Rush” never sounded so good; fittingly changing the lyrics to, “Look at Mother Nature on the run in the 21st century.” The last song of their set was another stellar cover - G…L…O…R…IIIIIII G-L-O-R-I-A - “Gloria” by the band Them. Patti left the stage in all her glory, continuing to stoke the flame of activism with another verbal reminder to the crowd why it’s so important to get involved. “We are the future, and the future is now”, she exclaimed. “Feel your power…”

Bon Iver closed out the end of the day with a poetically profound performance. It was like getting a soft hug with a strong and soothing heartbeat for 18 songs; a beautiful way to end a bit of a wet, yet cup half-full, kind of day. Bon Iver gifted the audience (and the neighbors within ear range) with the most beautiful harmonies that continued to echo well into the night as festival attendees drifted off to their next destination.

Saturday started the best possible way it could; with the band Neighbor! My fav. I could listen to this band morning, noon, and night. I am not exaggerating when I say this four-piece has some of the most talented musicians to come out of the Boston music scene, and there’s a reason they're growing so fast. Richard James on (keys, vocals) takes his love for prog rock and fuses it with his love of southern rock and blues taking me to my beloved New Orleans in my mind. James writes these tunes, gives them heart, and plays his own heart out on those black and white lines.

The amount of enthusiasm emanating from the stage from the first song was undeniable. When Lyle Brewer (Neighbor’s virtuoso guitar player) takes flight, I suggest you grab on because this is the kind of ride you don’t want to miss. Brewer’s guitar playing is the kind of rockin’ roller coaster ride that naturally makes you want to lean over to your chatty neighbor and kindly point out what they’re missin’! Brewer has been a tour de force on the six-string within the beautiful, saturated music scene in Boston for years, and somehow keeps getting better - young Jedi. Without hesitation, I place Lyle in the same category as David Gilmore of Pink Floyd, Trey Anastasio of Phish, Jimmy Herring of Widespread Panic, and Rick Mitarotonda of Goose. I know, I know, I can always augment the list, but there aren’t many more who have that specific sound that’ll catch ‘n’ hook me as quickly as these fellahs do.

Bassist Dan Kelly also has some serious chops on that 5-string Gibson and vocal harmonies to boot. His energetic stage presence and groovy licks are a perfect balance of power and joy. When you lock into Kelly’s high five-string vibes, you may experience the sudden urge to move your body while wearing a bass face of your very own!

Holdin’ his own on the kit, Drummer Dean “Dux” Johnston is a magician and a special treat to watch in Neighbor. If you've seen him do his thing with Club D’elf (a totally different vibe albeit INCREDIBLE), watching him rock out with Neighbor adds a whole new level of awesome to Johnston’s already impressive repertoire. These guys are all masters of their craft and note-by-note they take the audience to new, yet familiar, musical spaces. Neighbor has the chops and finesse to keep this friendly train rollin’ on up the tracks! Choo-choo-cha-boogie, y’all! Be sure to spin those tracks from their recently-released debut self-titled album and go see them live, which we did later that night!

It would be very remiss of me not to mention The Loft, a music club that hosts the festival’s official after-parties on Friday and Saturday night in neighboring Oak Bluffs. It’s the place to go if you need more of that sweet sweet music after BRW has closed their gates. St. Paul and the Broken Bones played the after-party on Friday night and I hear it was MAGIC! I made my way to OB on Saturday night for the after-party with Neighbor. I was grateful they added a late night show; because you're guaranteed a longer show than a typical festival slot allows for.

Following Neighbor, the band Twiddle played beloved originals that will be sorely missed once their 2023 tour comes to a close and their indefinite hiatus begins. It was a moment to be cherished. The news of their inevitable hiatus did not prevent everyone from having a GREAT time. Cory Wong took the stage following Twiddle with the most infectiously joyful energy and a smile so contagious your face might be hurting after smiling so hard along with him! Wong is a force of nature, a wiz on the guitar, and is worth seeing live. He is well known for his “high-speed improvisational skills, fun-loving performance spirit, and a flexible right wrist,” according to Apple Music. I’ve seen this man in action when I caught Vulfpeck a couple of times over the years, but this dude is on another level of awesome as band leader! The band comes equipped with several horns, high energy, and a helluva tight ‘n’ seamless band seeming to have lots of fun up there on the stage! Sammy Rae, who would be playing with her own band a few sets later, sat in with Cory Wong and absolutely crushed it!

St. Paul & The Broken Bones brought the heat on this wicked hot Saturday afternoon! Since 2012, frontman Paul Janeway has had a way of capturing audience's attention with his sweet dance moves and highly energetic ‘n’ sensual stage performance, leaving some attendees rosy-cheeked either from blushing and/or dancing hard keeping up with the band! The stage was steamin’ from the start and within the first three songs I noted to myself, “not sure what kind of flavor that microphone is, but Janeway seems to be lovin’ lickin’ that thang!” It didn’t matter what flavor. The fans were eating out of his hands. I quickly grabbed my camera to capture the true essence of the moment, and couldn’t help but blush. Later in the set, Janeway climbed to the top of the Super VIP deck to share his soulful songs at another level looking down on the crowd over 20’ below. As I looked up, I thought, “THIS is rock ‘n’ roll, baby. Rock ‘n’ roll! This is Beach Road Weekend.”

Out of the handful of bands I hadn’t seen prior to BRW, Sammy Rae & The Friends was among my top new favorites. The energy was high, the vibrato was vibin’, and the sound + style comin’ from the band was flippin’ FANTASTIC and wicked FUNKY! Early in the set I noted, ‘I want what they’re havin’,” as Sammy Rae sang with perfect pitch into their mic from the bottom of their soul as they stretched their arm towards the sky holding a blue bubble machine in the shape of a shark’s head! Slowly arching backwards blowing billions of bubbles into the air, Sammy Rae held her backbend and her note as her heart pointed upward towards the sunny sky above!

I looked around to see if everyone was seeing what I was seeing. Yep! Everyone was feelin’ it. The beautiful sea of smiles was growing wider. SR&TF’s original songs were fun, clever, and relatable! Her song about the “Denim Jacket” made this denim jacket sportin’ & flower crown wearin’ earthling laugh as I reached for my own even though it was over 80 degrees that day! The band also covered super sing-a-longs, “Long Train Runnin’” by The Doobie Brothers AND “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears. Believe me, Sammy Rae & The Friends did these covers justice and their performance somehow made the sun shine brighter on this blue sky sunny Saturday.

Gary Clark Jr. started his set at 4:15 on this wicked hot summer afternoon and, though the day was cooling down, the temperature rose when he walked out on stage… or was that just in my head? No. This tends to happen when Gary Clark Jr. starts playing. The only prescription for this rise in temperature is more Gary Clark Jr. His sound is so raw, soulful, and seriously rockin’ to the core. When the music hits, you feel no pain, but you might find your mouth agape because, WOW, Gary and his band are so darn good. Do yourself a favor, when Gary Clark Jr. comes through your city/town, be sure to clear your schedule and anticipate filling up your cup at his show. His band is always rockin’ and his style - mind, body, & spirit - is worth seeing in the flesh, if not only to be inspired & witness a part of rock history.

Dispatch finally returned home to Beach Road Weekend and exceeded the expectations of this highly anticipated reunion. With roots on the Vineyard, there was a little something extra special about the band playing their songs in the island air surrounded by friends and family. Lead singer Chadwick Stokes greeted the crowd in kindness saying, “Good to see all you beautiful people,” as they transitioned to a land acknowledgment - the Wôpanâak (Wampanoag) people, who settled this land (Noëpe) at least 12,000 years ago and still celebrate it as home today. Dispatch’s catchy tunes, comfort and chemistry on stage, and overall free-spiritedness are what people love about them so much. It was especially fun to watch these musical geniuses switch instruments mid-set; showing us that music runs through their every cell. They invited two guest percussionists later in the set bringing the energy even higher a party/celebration of sorts on stage!

Friends told me to listen for the song about “The Flying Horses,” the oldest working carousel in America residing on MVY in Oak Bluffs since the 1880’s. They did perform this well-loved song acoustic and those who knew the words sang it loud and proud! Near the end of the show, Stokes lovingly gave a shout-out to Camp Jabberwocky, a sleepaway camp founded in the early 50’s for people with disabilities. Chadwick worked as a counselor at Jabberwocky and still remains connected to this beautifully supportive and artistic camp. Stokes told the crowd to be sure and say ‘hello’ to any Jabberwockyians they might see around the fest! This gesture put a huge smile on my face as the feeling of inclusion felt so palpable in that moment. The show was amazing and the vibe was pure goodness!

Closing out day 2 of the festival, Mumford & Sons ended with a heart-thumping set that rippled into the night. Etched in my brain forever will be the image of Marcus Mumford standing on a monitor center stage looking out at the sea of smiles; his blindingly beautiful smile shining brighter the longer he stood. M&S started with crowd favorites, “Babel” > “Little Lion Man” > “Roll Away Your Stone”. Seasoned Mumford & Sons fans (Mumf Heads?) and new fans alike were way into the show! For their encore, they debuted a new live song, “Maybe,” singing it acoustic all around one mic. M&S ended with a crowd favorite “I Will Wait” and evoked some serious feels and lots of singing along. Hopefully, we don’t have to wait that long before they come back for another tour in the US! However, we will have to wait for Mumford & Sons to play us the Ted Lasso Theme Song, because that did not happen like I had hoped - “Heaven knows I tried!”

If you have to catch a ferry back to the mainland, the word in town is that it’s easy peasy. The boat is less than a 10-minute walk from the festival gate and then just a 45-minute ferry ride to Woods Hole. The headliner ends at 8PM, so even if you’re not staying on the island, you and your Beach Road crew have ample time to boogie with some MVY bands on the local stage AND still catch the last ferry at 9:30 PM. Make sure you’re punctual for that ferry though, and don’t forget to bring your yacht rock smooth sailin’ attitude! When that ferry horn blows and the ocean wind hits you, you’ll feel like singin’ “Summer Breeze” at the top of your lungs, maybe a little Christopher Cross - who knows! No judgments here!

Sunday! Sunday! Sunday was an anticipated funday! Falmouth-based band Crooked Coast started off day three with high-energy rockin’ tunes fused with reggae beats, punk, a touch of hip hop, and pop! Pop! Next, Gregory Porter took the crowd to “church,” so to speak. His smooth and heart-felt voice turned so many listeners into putty in his hands, molding us into whatever shape he was fixin’ to sculpt. Definitely a crowd favorite, Porter is another artist I was unfamiliar with prior to BRW and am grateful to now know.

This female-led indie band Alvaays brought an energetic wave of rock to the swelling Sunday afternoon festival audience. I’m going to assume Alvaays always walks away from a performance having just gained legions of new fans because they ROCK THE HOUSE! From Prince Edward Island, Canada to the island of Martha’s Vineyard, Alvaays have what it takes to keep on rockin’ around the globe, taking their audience for a dip in the sea of jangle pop ‘n’ rock and leaving folks feeling cleansed, refreshed, and Alvaays wanting more!

Celebrating nearly 4 decades as one of the most influential bands in alternative-rock history, Dinosaur Jr. took the next stage with some serious distortion and stacked speakers blowing through 12 original tunes, adding one cover, “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure. Seriously, Dinosaur Jr. is still shredding after all these years and gaining new fans young and old…er by the minute. They remain legends and it’s clear why when you see them live.

Regina Spektor. I have never experienced so many people moved to tears by the very nature of her presence and voice. Her lyrics are so poignant, powerful, and clever. She sings in absolutely perfect pitch while compassion and fire emanate from the beacon of light on stage that is Regina Spektor. With impeccable writing and wisdom beyond her years; Spektor takes relatable yet weighty topics and eloquently weaves complex emotions into a song, making you laugh and simultaneously cry. She’s a truly unique and captivating star that defies simple description. I was told by a die-hard Regina fan that she sang the same old songs she always sang at BRW, but with “different melodies.” The randomness and childlike nature of Regina is another thing to love about her. “The smell of fried fish has now been replaced with cinnamon fried dough,” she said sitting at the piano. Suddenly there was a collective acknowledgment from those who could smell that sweet cinnamon with smiles, nods, and “Mmmmmm’s”! I remember the moment and it made me start thinking about dinner!

Fueling up with a variety of local vineyard eats inside the festival is not a difficult task. Venders offer smoothies, noods, Indian food, fresh umami bites, and of course the infamous Mad Martha’s ice cream (though I do believe you have to walk into town to the Mad Martha’s shop if you want a “Pig’s Delight” - and this next part is no joke - don’t forget to “Oink!” to order that sundae)! Needless to say, there is something for everyone at BRW without having to leave the festival grounds. However, if you do need to leave the grounds, you’re less than a ten-minute walk into town.

Japanese Breakfast came out hot with an energetic performance and outstanding video/stage production. Images of lead singer Michelle Zauner’s childhood projected the video screen behind the band as they launched into songs that told a deeper story. Later, Zauner shared the story of how she and her husband, guitarist Peter Bradley, got engaged - over the phone while he was on a boat to Martha’s Vineyard. “I proposed to him. That was before I told him to propose to me. This next song has nothing to do with that,” she shared as she, her husband, and the crowd shared a laugh. Japanese Breakfast has such a killer sound & stage presence, they don’t need more than that BEAUTIFUL GONG adorned with colorful flowers Zauner bangs on throughout the set, but they give more. The eye-capturing images portrayed behind the band proves there is no limit to their artistry. With the band as the soundtrack, I watched as this apocalyptic dystopian Star Wars-esque land full of beauty unfolds on the screen, wrapping me completely up in the story. Needless to say, see them if you haven’t!

Last, but certainly not least, Leon Bridges tied the whole festival together and cooked up a set that made the crowd salivate. “Oh, baby, you’re so gorgeous,” he spoke/sang somehow looking into the soul of every gawking human he made eye contact with behind those stylish sunglasses of his, segueing into “Texas Sun” (sans Khruangbian). His mere existence and the ability to write the most profound love songs, even about his Mama, is a gift to all who are lucky enough to hear him and to the world. I left Beach Road Weekend Music Festival with a deeper love for Bridges’ music! His performance felt like it went by the fastest, likely because I didn’t want any of it to end. No one ever does.

Leaving MVY is always hard (maybe even getting there is, too) but the sound waves left lingering ripples in my music-loving head and heart. We’re coming up on two months since the start of this year’s BRW, though somehow it feels like it happened last week. Keep your eyes peeled for 2024’s lineup announcement come the new year. I know I will! Word has it the small yet mighty 87.48 square-mile island of MVY can’t wait to have us back, and I can’t wait to set sail!

If you’re stoked on seeing more photos of the festival, they are easy to find on the web (@beachroadweekend) and via local publications, blogs, social media, etc. I met so many wonderful photographers in the pit over the course of the weekend, all aiming for the perfect shot, unique to their own style, and capturing the ones that make us “Ooooo” and “ahhhhhh.” I respect the craft of concert photography so much that I thought I’d give a public nod to these artists showing up and capturing these once-in-a-lifetime moments. Cheers to Beach Road Weekend for doing a fantastic job promoting and capturing the true essence of this festival and a special thanks to CK Communications & the outstanding camera crew at BRW. Rockstars

The Newport Jazz Festival just announced that tickets will go on sale and the lineup will drop for the 2024 festival (August 2-4) on April 9th at 1PM Eastern, which has this East Coast mama reminiscing of all my favorite moments from last year! After having finally experienced the longest-running jazz festival in the country last year, it quickly made its way to the top of my ever-expanding list of favorite summer fests. I’ve been so excited to share some of my favorite memories from 2023 in anticipation of celebrating 70 years since its inception in 1954!

PREFACE

I must preface, if you were like me having only attended the Newport Folk Fest, not the Jazz Fest, it’s ok. They’re back-to-back weekends and not everyone can swing it. If you’re also like me having only attended The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, it’s ok I understand. I know timing is everything and nothing compares to being on the fairgrounds in The Big Easy, immersed in New Orleans culture, music, and food (Mango Freezes & Crawfish Monica Mmmmm)! I digress. I was there until this past summer when I finally made it to the oldest running jazz fest in the world; in quaint and luxurious Newport, Rhode Island. If you appreciate the art of musical improvisation (*eh hem jam band lovers*), this festival is calling you to come see, hear, and learn more about the roots of improv. If you haven’t attended a Jazz Fest yet, do it, and avoid that inevitable residual Jazz Fest FOMO!

HYPING UP THE FEST

Riding in the wake of a successful Newport Folk Festival (NFF), the highly anticipated Newport Jazz Fest (NJF) set sail on August 4-6, 2023 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI. Folks have been admiring the caliber of talent at the NJF for 6 (almost 7) decades now; this summer featuring artists only one could dream of seeing all in one place for a weekend of jazz fusion, baby!  NJF have been making dreams come true since 1954, and 2023 was no exception. The anticipation of seeing some of the acts of the main stage alone (i.e. Jon Batiste, Herbie Hancock, Thundercat, Branford Marsalis, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead featuring Branford Marsalis, Soulive, Lakecia Benjamin & Phoenix, and Diana Krall) made me dance in celebration before the weekend commenced!

THE SCENE

Music lovers from all over the world streamed into Fort Adams State Park via boats, bikes, and automobiles carrying chairs, soft-sided coolers, and accouterments to make their personal Jazz Fest experience the best it could be. Navigating between 3 stages (Fort Stage, Quad Stage, and Harbor Stage), attendees patiently walked with and around each other in the hot sun, weaving an intricate web of improvisation; all chasing the music. Pro-tip: I find it helpful to give myself extra time to get from one place to the next. I like to account for impromptu stops along the way to see music I’ve never heard before. To quote Ferris Bueller, “If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it,” and that rings true here. Expect the unexpected at Fort Adams and surrender to the flow of opportunities laying around the next corner.

DAY 1

If you were lucky enough to arrive when the gates opened at Fort Adams on Friday, you were probably drawn to Endea Owens & The Cookout in the heart “center” of Fort Adams at the Quad Stage. I absolutely love her musical style ‘n’ energy on upright bass in Stay Human and The Late Show Band, but seeing this Juilliard graduate live in light of the day as the leader of her own band, is to truly see her in her element. Might I add she was a beacon in her gorgeous yellow dress with all of the flare & all of the feathers & the fab fuzzy red hoop earrings? YES! Sunshine Daydream! Endea Owens is clearly following the path of who she was born to be. Check her out live and/or on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and keep supporting artists like Endea!!

Lakecia Benjamin and Phoenix was the perfect fit to christen the Fort Stage and dressed like the sun for the occasion!! We basked in Benjamin’s saxophone, soaking up sweet contemporary jazz compositions and her golden lyrics. I left with a great sense of gratitude for discovering this new music and knowing the world is a better place because of the art and high vibrations Lakecia Benjamin puts out into the universe. Following Lakecia’s masterful set, Alfa Mist laid down his hip-hop beats on the main stage gracing us with his flare of contemporary jazz, infusing spoken word, and seeping with soul. The crowd was pumped and perspired as they danced throughout Alfa Mist’s wicked cool set on this wicked hot August day.

I could have stayed at the Fort Stage all day, seeing new music with ships sailing by in the harbor and seagulls soaring above our heads, but when Big Freedia is starting in the Quad you just gotta say “LET’S GO,” ‘n’ “release your wiggle!” The crowd EXPLODED with excitement as the Queen Diva mesmerized us with her bars, beats, and stunning backup dancers. Her empowering body-movin’ energy & body-positive lyrics is what people love and come to see… AND directly participate in! In the middle of her set, she called on “ANYONE and EVERYONE” to come on up and release their wiggle on stage.  I watched and cheered as volunteers danced for their booty-ful lives! Just when you thought it couldn’t get better, Big Freedia encouraged everyone to form a “Soul Train” down the middle aisle moving towards the stage! As much as I wanted to jump on the track, I was already at the end of it, so I boogied with smiling strangers; grateful to be a part of this sweaty ‘n’ spontaneous dance party!

In the middle of some serious twerk action, I realized I was going to miss Soulive if I didn’t peel myself away and head to the Fort Stage. This trio (Alan Evans, Eric Krasno, and Neal Evans) never disappoints. We grooved and relished in these jaw-dropping jams throughout the 60-minute set. A definite highlight of the set is when Brandford Marsalis sat in to cover a rockin’ “Nubian Lady” by Yusef Lateef (a former mentor/teacher of Eric Krasno’s). Their studio version with Karl Denson is on the Spark EP,  and seeing it live with Marsalis was perfection.

During a break-ish in the music, we had some time to dip into the artist/vendor tents to check out the goods. I bought a cool tarpestry for an easy cleanin’ stylish outdoor lounging experience (loved all of their Dead-themed patterns)! It was also a pleasure to run into my friend, fellow lover of jams, and amazing artist Dave Russo (Scribbles of Dave, Primate Fiasco)! Dave was producing art in front of our very eyes as the Fort Stage music surrounded us. I danced away with Muppet drawings of “Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem - March 19, 1975” and of “Animal,”  which are now proudly displayed on my wall of inspiration! Thanks, Dave. You’re an animal!

I heard it through the grapevine to check out Louisiana native Durand Jones at the Harbor Stage, if I wanted to get a taste of contemporary R&B and soul infusion. He gave me all the feels and made my heart swell for Crescent City.  DOMi & JD Beck kept the Quad Stage warm with their funky, jazzy, soulful vibes wrapped up in happy harmonies; facing each other as they played. Their debut studio album in 2022, Not Tight, left me wanting to hear/see more from this intelligent couple of creative humans. Once I saw their wildly unique music videos online (i.e. SMiLE), I knew I had to see what they were all about! Their set brought a whole lotta smiles and a whole lotta new fans! DJ Pee Wee (Anderson.Paak), who is featured heavily on DOMi & JD Beck’s album, kept that fire going on Quad Stage during his vinyl dj set, which was a hot ‘n’ sweaty funtime dance party!

Branford Marsalis, a familiar presence at the Fest, fired up the Fort Stage with listeners hooked on every note of this seamless set. Marsalis spoke beautifully in both soprano and tenor sax, accompanied by the other brilliant people making up his quartet - William “MoBetta” Ledbetter on upright bass, Justin Faulkner on drums, and Tony Calderazzo on the piano. I didn’t want that musical conversation to end after 65 minutes, however, Branford wasn’t going anywhere. Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) added Marsalis to their roster after Kamasi Washington could not attend. This unplanned collaboration excited those of us who call ourselves “Dead Heads,” as we know full well Branford Marsalis played with the Grateful Dead 5 times in the early ’90s (Nassau Coliseum 3/29/90, NYE show in Oakland 1990, Madison Square Garden 9/10/91, LA Sport Arena 12/10/93 & 12/16/94). It was history in the making again and a nice nod to what came before - “‘til things we’ve never seen will seem familiar.” Can you tell I was most excited about this performance?

JRAD started their 7-song set with The Tony Williams Lifetime cover “Emergency” > King Soloman’s Marbles > Row Jimmy > Let it Grow > Estimated Prophet > Terrapin Station > Brokedown Palace. It’s hard to put into words how incredibly moving this entire experience was, but if you know these songs you can imagine how powerfully evocative it must have felt. As they let their instruments go spiraling through a whirlwind of improv, I let my inspiration flow dancing along as I attuned to the rhythm of the instruments. My Dead-themed hand fan is always 100% practical, but whenever we get to Terrapin I always acknowledge the Lady With A Fan and create a stronger breeze… respectfully. The last note of the poignant and heart-centered closer, “Brokedown Palace,” left me with salty tears in the seabreeze; a good sign of an epic first day of NJF ‘23!

Day 2

Saturday’s Jazz Fest lineup was juicy and just what the doctor ordered. The jam band scene’s beloved Jennifer Hartswick (TAB) started the festivities, serenading the crowd as the Jennifer Hartswick and Nick Cassarino Duo. Lots of smiles and goosebumps appeared due to her vibrant vocals and his gorgeous guitar playin’. I’ve always felt that anything Hartswick does, I’m here for it. I linked to a video of their cover of Radiohead’s Creep, for a glimpse into the duo’s sound/vibe/talent.

Camille Thurman kicked off the Harbor Stage by bringing the sax, scat, and her sweet voice to Newport. For those classic jazz lovers, this 37-year-old Queens native is one not to be missed. Thurman is a heckuva band leader and has a beautiful voice with so much range that it’ll leave you in awe! Harbor Stage had back-to-back saxes as James Brandon Lewis followed Thurman with his stellar show. Blowing minds with his trumpet in the Quad, Keyon Harrold performed newer and older tunes alike, sharing those heart-opening and mind-expanding lyrics of love and revolution. I only caught a glimpse of what he can do, but what I heard was enough to want more. Superblue, led by Kurt Elling and featuring Charlie Hunter, Katie Smith, and the Huntertone Horns (later playing with Louis Cato & Jon Batiste), were super fun and funky. The band got those hips swinging early and warmed up the crowd a whole 6 hours before Jon Batiste was due to take the stage later that evening!

The War and Treaty was high on my priority list of “must-see” bands at Jazz Fest. Michael Trotter Jr. and Tayna Trotter make up this husband and wife duo from Nashville, who graciously shared their soulful rockin’ bluesy country-esque R&B-leaning selves with their attentive NJF audience. When I say their love is palpable, I mean it. In the heart of COVID-19, this power couple wrote over 100 songs as a way of coping, processing, and healing; growing deeper in love with one another, albeit through struggle; and coming out with stories to tell us all. The work shows. This dynamic duo's vocal force vibrates love and power with their pure and passionate stage presence and profound lyrics; deeply resonating with the human experience. They gave me goosebumps from the soles (souls) of my feet to my brain and I’ll surely have to see them again!

From the Harbor Stage to the Quad Stage, Louis Cato (The Late Show Band) brought his fun-loving spirit and musical brilliance to a large crowd of smiling fans as he kicked off his debut performance at NJF! Starting with “Cutie Baby,” the last song on his newly released album Reflections (which was not released until after fest on Aug. 11th), felt like a warm ‘n’ welcoming hug. Next, “Reflections,” the self-titled track of his new album followed, and that’s when I understood why he chose this song as the title and first track of the album. The lyrics are deep, uplifting, and introspective. I interpreted the song as a physical recognition of love for self through the love you find in someone else at the moment you see yourself in their eyes loving on you, which happen to be mirroring/reflecting the love you're emanating and so on and so forth - ya follow??! Reflections. “It’s unreal. How when we move we move together. Sense each other through whatever. We Feel,” Cato sang sweetly as the crowd swayed in agreement.

Cato’s original “In My Reach” reached the hearts of happy attendees and resonated with those of us following a dream; feeling so close you can almost touch it. Speaking of dreams (and dreamin’ of the past), Cato launched into John Lennon’s “Jealous Guy” and I almost lost it! He did the song justice, accompanied by those Huntertone Horns and Hammond B-3 organist Larry Goldings. Cato’s rendition gave me goosebumps, especially with his beautiful range, making my Lennon-loving heart swell. It is only natural to be in awe of his abilities as a musician. He has magic in his hands and it’s evident he lives and breathes music. Louis alternated between new songs from Reflections (2023) “Human” & “Good Enough” and songs from his 2017 album Starting Now “Back and Forth” & “Down For You” (featuring the Huntertone Horns). Cato closed out the set with Curtis Mayfield’s “Move On Up,” which I believe is a clear sign/direction Louis is going in! Upward!

Artistic Director of the NJF and acclaimed bassist, Christian McBride, led a jammin’ “Jam Jawn'' on the main stage featuring guitarist Eric Krasno (Soulive), Nate Smith (Drummer), Ravi Coltrane (John Coltran’s son) on sax, percussionist and vocalist Nêgah Santos (The Late Show Band), guitarist Celisse , and legendary keyboard player Bob James. Following Jam Jawn the amazing Thundercat, aka Stephen Bruner, sang sweet songs in a space where the cosmos meet mystical jazz meet laser cats meet the Newport Jazz Festival on a purrrrfect Caturday evening. I love Tame Impala, so when I heard Thundercat’s latest single “No More Lies,”I knew I had to see this Cosmic being/bada$$ bassist in action. His words and compositions were intricate and energizing. Loved the ride he took us on with his smooth, funky, and fun time signature changes. His songs about his beloved cats and overall living life in love was the exact vibe I was going for.. Simple, intricate, very profound.

Later in the day, another fiery supergroup emerged as “Big Gigantic Does Jazz!” I expected the same Big Gigantic electronica duo with the computer setup, sax, and drums doing jazzy tricks; the two of them doing their normal thang. To my surprise, they welcomed trumpet players Jennifer Hartswick (TAB) & Eric ‘Benny’ Bloom (Lettuce), trombonist Clayton DeWalt (John Brown’s Body & The Temptations), keyboardist Yuki Hirano (A Tribe Called Quest, Kamasi Washington and Lauryn Hill, TAB), Randy Runyon (The Karma Exchange) on guitar and on an additional drum set, and Nate Edgar (The Nth Power & John Brown’s Body) thumpin’ on bass! Wish I could revisit these magical musical moments via archive, but there are no videos or recordings to be found. The show was energizing and a musical marvel. I didn’t catch the whole set because I had to peel away/power walk to Jon Batiste back at the Fort, who was starting 15 minutes before Big Gigantic were scheduled to finish in the Quad.

The highlight of my weekend was expected to be Jon Batiste, and I was right. With Batiste’s highly anticipated new album, World Music Radio, releasing on August 18, 2023, fans were expecting to hear an amalgamation of old and new songs.  When Jon came out in that brilliant red suit, the crowd erupted! He was backed by a 17-piece band, including 11 horn players! I recognized many musicians from The Late Show Band/Stay Human on stage such as percussionist Nêgah Santos, drummer Joe Saylor, and trumpeter Jon Lampley. I also noticed Brandon “Taz” Niederauer stage right. I hadn’t seen him in years but I recognized his tone right away!

Batiste brought us to church with his joyful inclusive and soulful presence. You don’t have to be a religious person to allow him to move you to your core, especially when his song “Freedom” fills the air. When Jon says, “let me see you wobble,” you move your body! He won’t have it any other way. He even stopped the band to address the crowd in the middle of “Freedom” saying, “Where I’m from, and people play this kind of music, people move 10 times more than y’all are moving right now. I need to see you get free! Get to your inner child, your freedom, your dance, your movement… right now, no preamble! Right now, no preamble! Right Now, no preamble!” He reiterated and was heard;  hands held high to show movement and arms full of goosebumps.

One of my favorite surprises of Batiste’s set was having Louis Cato sit in, sharing his beautiful vocals and scat to boot! I wished Cato had been out there the entire time because seeing those two on stage together brought a whole new exciting level of creativity and collaboration. Another sweet surprise was Jon’s extended melodica intro into his original song, “Let God Lead.” Everyone knows Jon plays the melodica like no other, so all ears were on him as he played. Audience members were encouraged to clap along. When he was done with his intro, Batiste began clapping along in unison and singing his words of love on beat with the crowd. Bonus: even the “Jazz Cowboy,” Joe Saylor, was given a tambourine solo during this song, which frankly brought the heat! You don’t hear a lot of love for tambourine players, but Saylor plays a mean tambourine and I’m here for it!

From the start, the New Orleans spirit flowed through the air. Near the end, it was everywhere. Jon Batiste and his band were perceived to exit stage right, only to pop out into the crowd ready for a second line; Cato by his side and laughing! Coincidentally, I happened to be close when they appeared, so with a fan in one hand and a handkerchief in the other, I lined up behind the band dancing and weaving through a crowd of smiling faces. I inevitably settled center stage, a row back from the front; my hanky still flyin’ high as I danced with a whole new group of people. Memories of New Orleans flooded my heart while rooting me in the present moment at this special show I’ll never forget.

DAY 3

Final day of NJF began with Chilean jazz vocalist, Claudia Acuña, in the Quad as well as 22-year-old prodigy pianist, Matthew Whitaker, held down the Harbor Stage as folks filed in. Whitaker had been playing the piano since he was 3 years old and his practice and perseverance are evident on and off stage. This compassionate and blind musician makes the world a better place when he’s not playing by advocating for people with disabilities; “consulting with companies to improve accessibility features.” He’s a joy to watch and a feel-good way to start the last day.

Following Whitaker, Havana native and now New Yorker singer, songwriter, arts advocate, actress, and educator Melvis Santa/Melvis Santa & Jazz Orisha’s, captured our attention with jazz fusion influenced by her Cuban heritage. Overlapping with Santa on the Fort Stage, French Caribbean artist Adi Oasis brought that funky bass and fantastic fresh vocals to share! The crowd got it, “Get It Got It,” and this fashionable ‘n’ fiery female bassist, vocalist, and producer surely gained a lot of new fans and had a stellar set.

My Sunday highlight was brought to me by The Scary Goldings, led by Larry Goldings on keys (James Taylor, John Mayer), Ryan Lerman on guitar (John Legend, Ben Folds), and Jack Conte on Wurlitzer electric piano (co-founder of Scary Pockets, Pomplamoose, CEO of Patreon). Legendary guitar player John Scofield soared alongside phenomenal female bassist Tal Wilkenfeld (Jeff Beck, Incubus), and drummer Ted Poor (Andrew Bird, UW Professor) who killed it on the kit. They were all in the pocket throughout this short but sweet set, opening with “We Come In Peace,” cooking a little “Cornish Hen” in the middle, and closing out their set with a “Humble Strut” > “Clem Fandango” > “Professor Vicarious” > “Taco Bells Canon.” Even if you have no idea what any of these songs sound like, I bet you’re at least curious now.

On the way to the Quad Stage to catch Samara Joy’s set, before heading back to see Diana Krall perform on Fort Stage, the Harbor Stage reeled me in with Somi serenading her surroundings. Her compositions and harmonies were magnetic and moving. I couldn’t stop moving and why would I want to? This “East African Midwestern girl,” born in Illinois to parents who emigrated from Rwanda and Uganda, has clearly been influenced by her African roots;  melded into a perfect fusion of African Jazz, soul, and pop. In the heart-center of Fort Adams, Samara Joy wowed and wooed audience members with her timeless Jazz vocals, giving off Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday vibrations. She’s only in her early 20s yet connects so deeply with music of the past. I loved it and judging by the audience they did, too.

I have a soft spot for Diana Krall, which is also a pretty good description of how Krall’s voice makes me feel; soft, light, and calm. My mother absolutely loved her music and I grew accustomed to it in high school. Mama Dukes gave me Love Scenes (1997) when I was asked to join the jazz band my sophomore year, and that’s when my appreciation for the genre began. I played that CD until it was all scratched up and skippin’ beats, and I remember it well. I hadn’t had the pleasure of witnessing Diana Krall perform live before the NJF, and she sounded as perfect as I thought she would; just as she always has - flawless, smooth, and soft. Not surprising she still has it after 30 years on the scene!

Herbie Hancock, who knows his way around Jazz Fest, closed out the festival with a sunny and silly set on the Fort Stage. I enjoyed watching this force of nature in his early 80s invoke a childlike nature I could only hope to have 40 years from now!! He never lost it. I just learned Herbie was a child piano prodigy, performing a Mozart piano concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at age 11 - just a few years before the first Newport Jazz Festival. In other words, he was born with it. His ongoing passion for the evolution of electronics and science continues to shape his ever-expanding musical brain and repertoire. Herbie got cosmic and “weird with it” on Sunday, singing through a vocoder and evidently, he is master of the keytar, too! It was the best kind of weird, ya know? All Your Keytar Are Belong to Us. I digress. Herbie Hancock’s musical brilliance closed out a perfect weekend at NJF ‘23 and I left excited for next year!!

THAT’S A WRAP

Last year’s NJF lineup left jaws dropped and wicked sore from smiling all weekend. I can’t imagine what they’re going to do to celebrate the 70th year of its inception in 2024. Year after year the Newport Jazz Festival mindfully curates a lineup to evolve with the times, featuring new young hip revolutionary artists, while continuing to honor what came before. I can’t wait to see what the 70th celebration has in store!

HONORABLE MENTIONS

On Friday at the Harbor Stage, Lauren Sevian’s LSQ (Lauren Sevian’s Quartet) and her smooth sax left spectators swaying. Shortly after Sevian’s set, Juilliard-level pianist and musical prodigy, Julius Rodriguez, wowed audiences on the Harbor Stage at the same time the Immanuel Wilkins Quartet filled the Quad with notes from his seamless sax. One of those “I wish we could be in two places at once,” because it was new music to my ears and that’s what it’s all about!

Afro-Cuban funk master, Cimafunk, brought the beats to the Quad for an afternoon dance party on Sunday. The energy was high and the vibes were off the charts. Be sure to catch him at The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in the spring & The Saratoga Jazz Fest in the early summer of 2024!

Samara Joy’s setlist:

If You Never Fall in Love With Me> Chega de Saudade > Stardust >Tight > Reincarnation of a Lovebird > Guess Who I Saw Today/Lately > Linger Awhile > Sweet Pumpkin

Herbie Hancock’s setlist:

Overture > Footprints > Secret Sauce > Actual Proof > Chameleon