STARS ALIGN FOR BLUE NOTE JAZZ FESTIVAL

Wynton Marsalis, Andra Day (pictured), Corinne Bailey Rae, Yo La Tengo with the Sun Ra Arkestra, Stanley Clarke, Yussef Dayes, Soulive and The Soul Rebels featuring Ghostface Killah anchor the lineup for the 13th annual Blue Note Jazz Festival, which will run 6/1-7/7 at such New York venues as the Blue Note Jazz Club, Sony Hall, SummerStage in Central Park, Town Hall, Brooklyn Bowl and Jazz at Lincoln Center

The 2024 edition has a pronounced global focus thanks to performers from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Niger and Brazil, while the more progressive end of the jazz spectrum is well represented by acts like Dayes, Julius Rodriguez and the Ezra Collective. Other highlights include Paula Cole, Victor Wooten, 80-year-old Ethiopian legend Mulatu Astatke, Antibalas with Hailu Mergia, Ozomatli, Os Mutantes and Bill Bruford.

For Blue Note Director of Programming Alex Kurland, Marsalis’ return to Blue Note for 12 shows in six nights is particularly special since he hasn’t played at the club as a bandleader since 1991. After that run, Ghostface Killah and The Soul Rebels will play six Blue Note shows of their own.

“Soulive's residency at Blue Note across two weekends is a programming highlight,” Kurland tells us. “Anytime Eric Krasno plays Blue Note is a special treat and privilege. And at Sony Hall, it's like a nonstop playlist of superhero-level musicians and talent.”

Kurland is also hard at work organizing The Black Radio Experience, a new iteration of the Blue Note Jazz Festival in Napa curated by pianist Robert Glasper. The 8/30-9/1 event at Heritage Resort and Spa is a more boutique version of prior Napa events at Silverado Resort and Charles Krug Winery, which have featured appearances in recent years by De La Soul, Mary J. Blige, Dave Chappelle and Snoop Dogg.