Kamasi Washington, Glasper, Jarreau to Headline Blue Note Jazz Festival

News, Kamasi Washington, Al Jarreau, Robert Glasper

By Brian Zimmerman I Apr. 19, 2016

Al Jarreau is among the headliners for the 2016 Blue Note Jazz Festival, which takes place June 1–30 (Photo: Marina Chavez)
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The 2016 Blue Note Jazz Festival will take place June 1–30, and will feature over 100 events in 10 venues throughout New York City.

Highlights for the sixth edition of the annual festival include saxophonist Kamasi Washington (co-presented with City Parks Foundation at Central Park SummerStage); vocal legend Al Jarreau, who will make a rare New York City theater performance at The Town Hall and salsa artist Gilberto Santa Rosa, whose performance marks his return to Carnegie Hall.

Fleshing out the bill will be numerous collaboration projects, some by long-established ensembles, and others by newly formed units. Keyboardist Robert Glasper will appear in three settings: with his trio (featuring bassist Vicente Archer and drummer Damion Reid), as a duo with pianist Jason Moran and as a duo with vocalist Taylor McFerrin. A trio featuring guitarist John Scofield, pianist Brad Mehldau and drummer Mark Giuliana is also scheduled to perform. Sangam, a trio consisting of saxophonist Charles Lloyd, percussionist Zakir Hussain and drummer Eric Harland will also appear at the month-long festival.

Showcasing the depth of the festival’s musical diversity, working jazz groups such as the Joshua Redman Quartet, Christian McBride Quartet and Avishai Cohen Trio will join a roster that also features prolific hip-hop artist Talib Kweli, the New Orleans-based Rebirth Brass Band, the Cuban jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and the Brazilian singer/guitarist Rosa Passos.

A special Central Park SummerStage show will feature three distinctive groups led by jazz legends: pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Roy Haynes.