Brief by Marva Sneed
Photos by Eva G Coleman
The Black Academy of Arts and Letters 5th Annual Riverfront Jazz Festival, Live Jazz, R&B, Soul, Blues and Neon-Soul was on Memorial Day weekend. Day 1 the Happy Hour & Unveiling of National Celebrities (Irma P. Hall, Millie Jackson, Lucky Peterson, Albertina Walker) donating their garments to the TBAAL Art Gallery. The garments were unveiled and added to TBAAL’s Permanent Collection. Erykah Badu was the opening night headliner. As usual it was a great performance. Day 2 on the Main stage Avery Sunshine, Incognito brought excitement to their performance, and the headliner was Cameo who had the crowd singing and dancing. On the Naomi Bruton Theatre Stage there were performances by Arturo Sandoval, Dianne Reeves, Spyro Gyra and headliner Eric Benet he brought the house down. Day 3 the closing shows on the Naomi Bruton Theatre Stage with Kim Burrell & Cory Henry, Hiroshima, and Tribute To Jazz Members of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Featuring B. Slade and guest conductor, John McLaughlin were spectacular. On the Main Stage in the Arena the closing acts were Masters of Smooth featuring Marion Meadows, Alex Bugnon, Gerald Veasley, Poogie Bell, Karyn White, J.J. Sansaverino, and headliner Boney James left you wanting more.
TBAAL Riverfront Jazz Festival #OpeningNight was packed to witness headliner #ErykahBadu the kickoff was awesome. Other headliners were, Avery Sunshine, Cameo, Eric Benet, Incognito, and more.
