What began more than 55 years ago to celebrate Hampton University’s 100th anniversary is now the Hampton Jazz & Music Festival, running Friday through Sunday. All shows are at the Hampton Coliseum.
The festival boasts a lineup of music icons, including Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight and Stephanie Mills.
“Hampton Jazz & Music Festival is more than just a concert—it’s a cultural touchstone,” said Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams in a news release.
The festival, formerly known as the Hampton Jazz Festival, has been in operation since 1968, although the area’s significance in jazz predates the event's inception by several decades. Many vanguards of the genre have claimed roots in the area, most famously Ella Fitzgerald and Pearl Bailey.
The festival first took place at Hampton University’s Armstrong Stadium, with the best in jazz showing up to play, including Cannonball Adderley, Count Basie and the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet.
The festival now includes a mix of jazz and R&B performers.
“We love the energy infused throughout this year’s lineup and are very excited about the new engagements the festival will bring to fans in the upcoming years,” said Terri Vander Vennert, director of the Hampton Coliseum, in the news release.
Friday; begins at 7:30
Anthony Hamilton
Lucky Daye
PJ Morton
Lalah Hathaway
Saturday; begins at 7 p.m.
Keith Sweat
SWV
Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly: "The Legacy Band"
Jeff Bradshaw & Maysa
Mike Phillips
Sunday; begins at 2 p.m.
Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, and Stephanie Mills
Damien Escobar
Ticket prices start at $69.50 and are available at ticketmaster.com. Visit hamptonjazzandmusicfestival.com for more information.
