With over 150 performances at more than fifteen venues throughout New York City, the 2014 Blue Note Jazz Festival will be held Sunday, June 1 through Monday, June 30. Ticket information and a current schedule of events and locations are available on the official website, www.BlueNoteJazzFestival.com.

Highlights for the city’s largest jazz festival include a special appearance by R&B icon Aretha Franklin; rare collaborations between Bobby McFerrin and Questlove; Ramsey Lewis with Earth, Wind and Fire’s Philip Bailey; André Previn and Christian McBride; Monty Alexander’s seventieth birthday celebration (with various reggae and jazz guests to be announced), the Children of the Light Trio featuring Danilo Pérez, John Patitucci, and Brian Blade; crossover vocalists Michael McDonald, Michael Bolton, and Dee Dee Bridgewater; album release performances by José James and Sérgio Mendes; and appearances by multi-faceted entertainer Reggie Watts, renowned bassist/producer Marcus Miller, and tenor saxophone legend Gato Barbieri.

In addition to Blue Note Jazz Club, festival venues include B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, Highline Ballroom, the Town Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Central Park SummerStage, Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, Rockwood Music Hall, Smalls Jazz Club, the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, IFC Center, Brooklyn Bowl, and Lucille’s Bar & Grill at B.B. King Blues Club. Festival co-presenters include Jill Newman Productions, MSG Entertainment, Bowery Presents, CEG/Nolafunk, Jazz Forum Arts, Jazz Journalists Association, and JazzReach. Advertisement

“This year’s festival puts a prime focus on distinctive collaborations,” says Steven Bensusan, president of Blue Note Entertainment Group. “Shows such as Bobby McFerrin teaming up with Questlove and André Previn working with Christian McBride are rare opportunities for fans to hear world class artists perform together in unique musical settings.”

Other jazz headliners include a rare US performance by renowned bassist Avishai Cohen (his first New York City appearance in over two years); the Dizzy Gillespie Afro-Cuban Experience; saxophonists Joe Lovano, Eric Alexander, and Marcus Strickland; vocal masters Diane Schuur, Allan Harris, and Curtis Stigers; pianists Michel Camilo, Hiromi, and Harold Mabern; and fusion performances by keyboardist Jeff Lorber and Australian guitarist Albare.

 

For additional info, including up-to-date performers and venues, visit www.BlueNoteJazzFestival.com.