Jazz-blues fest rolling on the river

 JAMES

Music City Jazz, Blues & Heritage Festival

When: Sept. 5-6, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (Saturday) and 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. (Sunday)

Where:  Riverfront Park, 100 Broadway

Cost:  $10 (one day), $15 (both days)

Some of both Nashville’s and the nation’s premier performers will be appearing Labor Day weekend at Riverfront Park during the 7th Annual Music City Jazz, Blues & Heritage Festival.

This has become one of the most popular events for jazz and blues fans not only in Middle Tennessee but throughout the region.

The Nashville-based Nothing But Love Foundation is the event’s presenting entity and is hoping to draw between 7,500 and 10,000 people for the two-day event.

“This being our seventh year, we wanted to make certain it will be memorable,” said Tremayne Anderson, founder and chairman of NBLF. “We are continuing with our mission of showcasing harmonious musical diversity.”

The 2009 edition has another strong lineup with headliners Boney James, Guitarzz, After 7, Phil Perry and Con Funk Shun. They are joined by such Nashville names as Joe Johnson, Melvin M. Miller, Diane Marino,  Lindsay George, Darnell Levine, and the Latin jazz ensemble El Movimiento featuring Rahsaan Barber, Edwin Santiago and Giovanni Rodriguez.

Saxophonist Boney James has been a major star on the smooth jazz circuit since the early 90s, and is well known for both hit instrumental versions of R&B classics and popular collaborations with R&B and jazz singers. His most recent release, Send One Your Love, spent more than two months on top of the contemporary jazz charts. He’s previously worked with Rick Braun, Faith Evans, George Benson and Anthony Hamilton among many others. James will also conduct a free youth music workshop prior to his performance.

Kevon Edmonds, younger brother of superstar producer and performer Kenneth “Babyface’ Edmonds, co-founded the R&B trio After 7 more than two decades ago with older brother Melvin and Keith Mitchell. They’ve had several ballad and romantic hits on the urban charts, especially their debut platinum release and the single “Nights Like These” that was featured in the film The Five Heartbeats. In recent years, the trio has disbanded and regrouped, and both Edmonds and co-founding member Mitchell are part of the current lineup now billed as “After 7 featuring Kevin Edmonds.”

Phil Perry has enjoyed three different periods of success as both a songwriter and a vocalist. From 1971-1975, he was part of the soul/doowop group The Montclairs. Then in the early ‘80s, he teamed with fellow singer and former Montclair mate Phil Sanlin in the duo Perry and Sanlin. But perhaps his biggest solo success came with the number one hit “Call Me” in the early ‘90s. Perry has also teamed with guitarist Lee Ritenour and his wife vocalist Lillian “Tang” Tynes on several projects, and issued four CDs over the last four years with the Shanachie label. He’s among the most declarative and demonstrative vocalists currently working in smooth jazz or R&B.

The bands Zapp and Con Funk Shun were both integral parts of the ‘70s and ‘80s funk movement. Zapp’s brand of electronic vocals and booming bass were featured on such singles as “More Bounce to the Ounce” and “So Rough, So Tuff.”  They were formed by the Troutman brothers Roger, Larry, Lester, Tony and Terry (“Zapp”). Memphis-based (though they originated in California), Con Funk Shun had a string of 11 hit discs that included such singles as “Ffun,” “Shake and Dance With Me” and “Chase Me.” They are led by vocalist/guitarist Michael Cooper. Both bands have maintained a good fan base and survived despite suffering key personnel losses and group tragedies.

Another major act is the smooth jazz supergroup Guitarzz, which combines the talents of  three master players and guitar soloists. Chuck Loeb’s last festival appearance was among the most acclaimed in the festival’s entire history. He teams with Paul Jackson Jr.,  formerly with The Headhunters, and Special EFX’s Chiell Minucci for what promises to be a string summit.

There will be food and beverage vendors on site. Personal cameras, lawn chairs and (if necessary) umbrellas are permitted, but not audio recorders, nor video and professional cameras. Artist and festival merchandise is also being sold, and a re-entry policy is in place for ticket holders. 

Tickets are still available at various ticketmaster locations. Children under 12 are admitted free. For more information and a complete schedule of all participants and times,  check here.