The Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival, which has brought thousands of people together for nine years to enjoy national stars and local talent playing jazz, blues, funk, Latin and African music, just got bigger.
All the action takes place in Stearns Square and Tower Square Park and starts the day before on Friday night at 5pm.
“Evan Plotkin was involved in getting funding for the restoration of the Worthington Street Mural project and wanted to do an unveiling on Friday of its progress at the festival,” said Kristin Neville of Blues to Green, co-founder and producer of the festival with Plotkin. , CEO. of NAI Plotkin.
Celebrating Springfield’s history, the mural is being restored by Springfield artist John Simpson who has studied old photographs of the building’s wall in an effort to accurately recreate as much of the original mural as possible.
Friday night’s music shows feature Shor’ty Billups, a soul and R&B great, now based in Enfield, who played with Ruth Brown, Screaming Jay Hawkins, Jackie Wilson and Wilson Pickett among others. Also performing are Valley legends FAT with Peter Newland and their special guest Scott Murawski of Max Creek, Valley blues/rock icon Mitch Chakour and Friends, who was the musical director of Joe Cocker, legendary Valley blues rockers, The Buddy McEarns Band, and soulful blues belter Janet. Ryan and her band.
The family-friendly festival also offers art activities and talks on art, culture and social justice with local crafts, food and drink.
Saturday’s festivities begin at 12:30 p.m. at the Springfield Museum with a parade led by New Orleans’ celebrated second line ensemble, The New Breed Brass Band, beginning at the Springfield Museum of Wood History, where attendees will have free access to The Horn Man: The Life and Musical Legacy of Charles Neville Exhibition. The parade will end at the opening stage of the performance by Adi Oasis. The full lineup includes Albino Mbie, William Cepeda Afro-Rican Jazz, Bomba De Aqui, Dayme Arocena, New Breed Brass Band, Curtis Haywood, Tang Sauce + Breakin Battle, Haneef Nelson Quintet, Linda Ransom + Trilogy, Martha Redbone Roots Project, and DJ Chico.
Martha Redbone
Neville noted that Springfield has its roots in jazz history.
“Springfield has its own role in the history of jazz. Saxophonist Phil Woods was born in Springfield and Taj Mahal grew up here. Jazz is a black American art form and we have a very strong black community in Springfield. This weekend’s festival celebrates the impact of black music on our culture and our collective experience,” she said.
In addition to musical performances, the multifaceted festival will have various artistic activities and presentations/workshops. Puerto Rican jazz trombonist William Cepeda will lead a workshop about traditional Afro-Puerto Rican music on Friday at 5:00 pm at the Hispanic American Library. Cuban jazz vocalist Dayme Arocena will hold a workshop on traditional Afro-Cuban music on Saturday. Attendees can also take part in a mural painting party and a presentation by Puerto Rican mural artist Betsy Casanas.
The wall paint party is a collaboration between Live Well Springfield and Fresh Paint Springfield as well as Blues To Green. The finished product will be unveiled in September as part of the Fresh Paint Mural Festival and will be installed on a building in Springfield’s north end.
“We will place fabric panels on the tables that will have the design depicted on them and the public will be invited to help paint them. The design was informed by community input that reflected on the history of climate advocacy and culture and diversity in the North End and also engaged community members to think about the vision for the North End they see for the future based on the theme of climate justice.” Neville said.
Inspired by her husband, the famous musician Charles Neville, Blues To Green is a non-profit organization that uses music and art to center the cultures of the African diaspora within American culture, nurture personal freedom, strengthen the multicultural community, and catalyze action for racial and climate justice.
The festival is made possible by a grant from the City of Springfield’s Neighborhood Assistance Fund, other grant funders and local business sponsors and donors.
While admission is free, donations are welcome, and you can donate and reserve a ticket in advance at springfieldjazzfest.com.
