The Blue Note Jazz Club has unveiled the highly anticipated lineup for the 13th annual Blue Note Jazz Festival, set to occur across multiple venues in New York City from June 1 to July 7, 2024. Headlined by acclaimed vocalists Andra Day and jazz legend Wynton Marsalis, the expansive festival will feature 37 artists representing various genres, including jazz, soul, hip-hop, MPB, funk, alt-rock, and more.
Kicking Off with Soulive’s Homecoming
The festivities will commence on June 1 with the return of the acclaimed trio Soulive, featuring the dynamic interplay of guitarist Eric Krasno, drummer Alan Evans, and keyboardist Neal Evans. The group’s eight-night residency at the Blue Note aligns with the anticipated release of Cinematics, Vol. 2, Soulive’s first studio album since 2018. This homecoming performance sets the stage for a month of can’t-miss concerts across the festival’s five host venues: Blue Note, Sony Hall, SummerStage in Central Park, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and The Town Hall.
A Diverse and Star-Studded Lineup
The month-long festival will showcase a vast array of high-profile artists and unique collaborations, including The Music of Buena Vista Social Club, Jazz is Dead, Brandee Younger, Yo La Tengo with the Sun Ra Arkestra, Victor Wooten, Ghostface Killah with The Soul Rebels, Fred Wesley with the Brecker Brothers, Stanley Clarke, Gino Vanelli, and Os Mutantes, among others.
“This year, Blue Note Jazz Festival is focused on spotlighting diverse global cultures in a range of venues throughout New York City, including artists from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Niger, Brazil, and beyond,” said Alex Kurland, Blue Note’s Director of Programming. “The lineup features iconic and legendary artists that have made a tremendous impact in music and on generations of artists, including Wynton Marsalis, Stanley Clarke, Fred Wesley, and hip-hop icon Ghostface Killah.”
Celebrating Diverse Voices
Kurland further emphasized the festival’s commitment to showcasing diverse and impactful voices: “The lineup is complemented by a wave of progressive and contemporary artists ranging from Ezra Collective to Yussef Dayes and Julius Rodriguez. We’re also focused on spotlighting powerful and impactful female voices, including Andra Day, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Lisa Fischer, to name a few.”
With its eclectic lineup spanning multiple genres and cultures, the 2024 Blue Note Jazz Festival promises to celebrate the rich tapestry of music, bringing together iconic legends and rising stars for an unforgettable month of performances.