7th annual Richmond Jazz Festival kicks off this Thursday.
Herbie Hancock
Photo courtesy of Red Light Management
The Roots. Herbie Hancock. Diane Schuur. Do we have your attention yet? Those are just a few of the headliners performing at the 7th annual Richmond Jazz Festival this weekend. The multi-day event has come a long way since the inaugural festival in 2010, and this year it will feature three separate stages, a complimentary wine tasting and more than 40 vendors from all over the East Coast offering everything from artwork to clothing to beauty products.
“The festival is just all about diversity,” says spokesperson Jasmine Roberts. “It’s an eclectic mix of jazz, blues, pop, just all types. It’s definitely for all music lovers.”
The festival kicks off this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at Hardywood Food Truck Court. Friday’s concert will be at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (which hosts jazz artists every week, an event known as the VMFA Jazz Cafe), and Saturday and Sunday’s performances will all take place against the backdrop of Maymont beginning at noon and ending after 10:00 p.m. Thousands are expected to attend so get there early, and don’t forget to bring a chair or blanket if you want to be comfortable. Guests are welcome to bring food, but no outside alcohol is allowed.
“We work hard each year to bring the best lineup we can,” says Roberts. “It’s one of the largest jazz festivals on the East Coast, and we are bringing some of the best world-renowned talent to Richmond.”
And after performing, those world-renowned artists will park themselves at the meet-and-greet tent, where they’ll sign autographs and pose for photos with their fans.
New this year is the official Richmond Jazz Festival mobile app, which Roberts says includes a detailed schedule, a venue map and festival updates, and the opportunity for guests to interact with one another and share photos. The free app is available for both Android and iPhone.
Single-day tickets $85, weekend passes $160. JazzAtMaymont.com
