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The biggest, brightest jazz, smooth jazz and R&B stars come to Columbia Maryland every year to shine a light on the Capital Jazz Festival.
That orbit has been a perennial alignment since 1993, when the fest was inaugurated. It happened again in 2024 when 20,000+ fans roamed through Symphony Woods Park, sitting in the roof-covered, 19,000+-seat Merriweather Post Pavilion amphitheater or on the grass at the Symphony Woods stage. Everyone was stargazing. Anthony Hamilton started the parade of heavy-weight stars at the fest on Friday night June 7th. The kickoff show. The setup for the next two big weekend nights.
Saturday June 8th the largest crowds gathered. The real party started.
On Symphony Stage cool acts abounded: House music queen CeCe Peniston, tenor extraordinaire El DeBarge, the sassy Joss Stone and the prolific singer/songwriter Babyface thrilled the audience. Over on the Pavilion Stage, the talent was even more stellar. The day culminated with the legendary jazz/fusion group Spyro Gyra, and its beautiful lament “The Unknown Soldier, an ode to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Then the very eclectic and energetic duo Black Violin brought their high-energy string music to the fans.
The evening continued to crescendo when Lalah Hathaway started her set with her latest single “So in Love,” from a new album that drops June 14th. Her vocals were as silky and sultry as ever. Three songs into her performance, Hathaway welcomed headliner Gregory Porter to the stage, and they sang their famous 2016 jazz duet “Insanity.” His deep baritone/bass voice paired well with her contralto. Back and forth. Forth and back. They exchanged verses like lovers having a conversation set to music. With dulcet, romantic tones, they emoted the beauty of the tender love ballad Porter composed and wrote: “How did we ever lose our minds? And fall apart, knowing we’re the only ones. To heal each other’s hearts. Bring your love on back to me. Stop this insanity. Before we go too far.”
For the final act, Porter and his booming voice set the audience’s hearts aflame. Starting his set with his signature song “Holding On,” his voice echoed out over the sound speakers to everyone in the darkened park. From the front rows all the way to the last seats on the far-off lawn. Clear voice, warm sound, he projected the song like a storyteller warning about love’s mishaps. “Weight of love on my shoulders. I thought that it would be easier than this. I found my heart had grown colder. But the warmth of your kiss, I can’t dismiss.” The Grammy-winning singer proved he was love’s messenger. Someone sent to mend broken hearts and kindle romances.
Sunday June 9th brought everyone together. Last night. Final songs. Long goodbyes.
The Symphony stage was alive and rocking with R&B artists like blue-eyed soul singer Jon B and the ladies’ man Raheem DeVaughn. He teased the women, danced with them, threw roses their way and stripped off his shirt during his final number, to great applause.
Over on the Pavilion stage, the night was even more electric. R&B heavyweight Leela James growled the blues and smooth jazz keyboardist Alex Bugnon blessed the evening with his interpretation of the George Benson staple “The World is a Ghetto,” originally recorded by the group War in 1972. Meshell Ndegeocello’s group brought a very ethereal, new wave R&B/jazz sound that was as refreshing and as it was spiritual. The rhythmic feel of her song “Virgo” was enchanting and inviting. “They’re calling me, back to the stars (la, la). Deep out of space. I could see, I can hear you, I can touch, I could feel you…” She announced that her new album was dedicated to James Baldwin, one of her idols. It will be released August 2nd, on his birthday.
Every year the fest does a tribute. This time Marvin Gay was the honoree, and the Wayne Bruce band played his hits and featured vocalists sang his tunes. Will Downing crooned “What’s Going on.” Jazz pianist Bob James, former leader of the famed group Fourplay, reunited with El DeBarge for their classic rendition of “After the Dance.” DeBarge did double duty as he teamed up with hitmaker Valerie Simpson on several duets, including “You’re All I Need to Get By.” Each song and each singer seemed to get better and better.
When Downing sang with backup singer Miss Monet on “If this World Were Mine,” it seemed like this tribute couldn’t get any more emotionally charged. Afterall, Monet is Gay’s goddaughter. But the next thrilling moment topped that. The duo Kindred the Family Soul crashed the party, grabbed the mic and rocked out to “Got to Give It Up.” Everyone was up on their feet dancing, swaying and shaking like they had something to shake. That’s when Marvin Gay’s spirit lit up the place.
When evening turned into night, the songbird Andra Day came out, introducing and singing songs from her latest LP, and of course she performed her iconic, inspirational tune “Rise Up.” Her softer tones set the mood for the very hip and cool Kem. If anyone in the fest epitomized a debonair, self-assured jazz vocalist, it was him. Love songs are his thing: “Love Calls.” “Lie to Me.” He sang, danced and exuded an overt sexuality that was very much in the spirit of Marvin Gay. Being a sexy singer, the way he does it, was a vision. He should patent his swag. It’s that good.
And so, it came. And so, it went. Another Capital Jazz Festival that showcased the music industry’s top artists, who mesmerized thousands of music fans. Folks who gathered for the music, mingled with fellow jazz lovers and communed together in Symphony Woods Park.
They partied ‘til the wee hours. Until the stage cleared, lights went out and just the moon and stars shined above.
Check out this clip of the incomparable Gregory Porter: https://www.facebook.com/100011065748818/videos/1249786512660019/
For more info on the fest, click here: Capital Jazz Fest.
Visit NNPA News Wire Travel Writer Dwight Brown at DwightBrownInk.com.