The beautiful City of Riviera Beach, FL will host the 5th Annual Riviera Beach Jazz and Blues Festival on Friday, April 1, 2005 from 5 p.m. to midnight and Saturday, April 2, 2005 from noon to midnight. This family-oriented event will be hosted on Singer Island in Riviera Beach, Florida.
This year’s entertainers are sure to leave their mark on the lovely city of Riviera Beach that city officials say, “is the best city in which to live, work and play.” The “Jazz on the Beach Festival” will attract over 20,000 music lovers from all across the world who are eager to be absorbed by the vocal talents of the artists’ performances. City Manager of Riviera Beach, Bill Wilkins, says, “This year’s Annual Jazz & Blues Festival promises to be the best in its five year history.” This is an understatement with artists like Chaka Khan, Nicole Henry, Roberta Flack and Isaac Hayes to name a few.
Headlining the event is the dynamic, Chaka Khan on Friday night. A record of accomplishment that spans over the past three decades sums up this powerful and vibrant talent that will be a magnificent force to be reckoned with. The VH1 diva and GRAMMY Award winning songstress known for such hits as “Sweet Thing,” “Tell Me Something Good,” “Do You Love What You Feel,” “Ain’t Nobody” and “I Feel for You” will grace the stage of the festival and illustrate the gift that is the voice of Chaka Khan.
Saturday’s show includes the soothing, timeless voice of Roberta Flack with hits such as “Where is the Love,” “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” and “Killing Me Softly” will round out the mellow feel of the evening. Roberta’s versatility spans from pop, to disco, to R&B to jazz. From gold records to Grammy awards, Roberta Flack’s silky, sultry tone will be a comforting presence felt by all.
Rounding out Saturday’s performances is Isaac Hayes, who has an Oscar, three Grammy awards and an NAACP Image award under his belt. Mr. Hayes is known for his role as Jerome “Chef” McElroy from the cartoon series, South Park. He incorporates his smooth, sensual baritone into this well known character by singing songs like “Chocolate Salty Balls.” However, he is best known for a variety of albums that include the sensual Hot Buttered Soul, to the monumental success of Shaft.
Newcomer, Nicole Henry, known for her hit record, The Nearness of You, in the U.S. and Japan, creates the mood for Saturday. She proves that she can “hang with the best of ’em” with her heartrending submissions of her current album and songs to come. Nicole has graced South Florida with her music for years and was named “Best Local Solo Musician” by the Miami New Times. She brings the contribution of her music from Japan to Riviera Beach with her performance. Her renditions of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “Get Here” will set the ambiance for the night to come.
The City of Riviera Beach will even out the colossal event with acts such as Duffy Jackson, Berman Patterson, Jesse Powell, Jean Carne, Mindi Abair, Lil’ Ray Nelson, the Boynton High School Jazz Combo and many others. Duffy Jackson, a drummer, pianist, vibest, vocalist and musical director has played with the likes of the legendary Count Basie Orchestra, Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Rich and Billy Eckstine. Known for having “a fantastic feeling for rhythms”, Mr. Jackson specializes in the Big Band sound. His delightful show is one that you will not want to miss.
Berman Patterson, of The Cleftones fame, will also be in participation at the “Jazz on the Beach” event. Berman’s music has been featured on such movies as A Bronx Tale and Goodfellas. Berman’s new CD, Finally, Alone with You, features remakes of some of the famous Ol’ Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra songs. Ohio native, Jesse Powell, with hits such as “You” and “Gloria” will also perform.
Mindi Abair topped the charts with her debut record, It Just Happens That Way. Growing up on the road with her father, an accomplished saxophonist/keyboardist, Lance Abair, offered great influence to the young prodigy and gave Ms. Abair all the influence that she needed to attain her own celebrity.
Jean Carne has worked with Earth, Wind, Fire, and Duke Ellington. She attained #1 status with the song “Closer than Close” and is highly revered in Europe for her music.
Paul Berman & the Victory Band will also perform at the festival. The saxophonist will lend his musical flair to the event with his contemporary jazz stylings.
Scheduled Performances:
April 1, 2005 5p.m.-midnight: Duffy Jackson Quintet, Kenny Seabrook, The Derek Mack Band, Jesse Powell, Jean Carne, Phil Perry and Chaka Khan
April 2, 2005 noon-midnight: Danielle Jones & Jarae Womack, Boynton High School Jazz Combo, J. Sharp Band, Mindi Abair, Paul Berman & the Victory Band, Shayla Rouse, Berman Patterson, Lil’ Ray Nelson, Reginald Asberry, Nicole Henry, Roberta Flack and Isaac Hayes.
Ticket prices for this year’s festival will be $12 for students and seniors and $25 for adults. Admission for children under 6 years of age is free.
