August 29 Vallejo/Vacaville Arts and Entertainment Source: New, small Napa fest has it all: jazz, hip-hop, R’n’B, food and wine

A new festival in Napa promises to outdo the idea of a small, culturally significant musical event during its Labor Day weekend run beginning Friday.

The Black Radio Experience, presented by the prestigious Blue Note Jazz Festival, includes singer, pianist and songwriter John Legend, soul singer Jill Scott, rapper-turned-flutist Andre 3000, and rapper and actor Common.

The three-day musical blowout, at the Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa, will offer festival-goers entertainment on three stages and some 30 artists in an intimate setting in Northern California’s renowned wine country.

Joining Legend, who, with drummer and percussionist Sheila E., electrified the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 21 in Chicago, are Andra Day, Nile Rodgers, Ledisi, Cimafunk, Marcus Miller, Tank and The Bangas, and DJ Jazzy Jeff.

Filling out the roster are Madlib, OR3, Christian McBride, Pete Rock, Joel Ross, Terrace Martin, Kendrick Scott, DJ Jahi Sundance, Derrick Hodge, Eric Roberson, RC & The Gritz, DJ Aktive and Bryan Michael Cox x Love Zone.

Additionally, Andre 3000, best known for being one-half of the Southern hip-hop duo Outkast, will host his own Wine Cave performances in the Meritage Resort’s Estate Cave all three days.

The event is the brainchild of Los Angeles-based pianist, record producer, songwriter and musical arranger Robert Glasper, 46, the recipient of five Grammy Awards, and the Blue Note Jazz Festival artist-in-residence. He will perform with special guests Musiq Soulchild and Marsha Ambrosius. Broadcast journalist Sway Calloway and Heather B will serve as event hosts.

The festival title stems from Glasper’s Grammy-winning album “Black Radio III.”

He has performed at some of the most high-profile festivals and venues across the world, including the London Jazz Festival, the North Sea Jazz Festival, The Kennedy Center, Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall.

Organizers characterize the festival as a high-end “boutique event” and a “celebration of the rich tapestry of Black culture. It’s the power of music transcending boundaries and forging new bonds, with Napa Valley as its canvas.” Besides the many varieties of music, it also offers culinary events, wine tastings in a wine garden, and on-site after parties and a pool party.

While the genre-blending event is new, it began with The Blue Note, a small jazz club founded in 1981 in Greenwich Village and was followed three decades later by the first-ever Blue Note Jazz Festival in New York City. Today there are Blue Note Jazz clubs around the world, from Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro to Shanghai and Napa.

The first Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa was held two years ago and was sold out at the Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, with headliners Snoop Dogg, Chaka Khan and comedian Dave Chapelle. Last year, the festival moved to the Silverado Resort and Spa.

A portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Aldea Children and Family Services.

• IF YOU GO
  What: The Black Radio Experience
  When: Friday to Sunday, opening at noon each day
  Where: Meritage Resort and Spa, 875 Bordeaux Way, Napa
  Tickets: A single-day general admission pass starts at $175; a three-day general admission pass starts at $499
  Online: bluenotejazz.com/black-radio-experience

Originally Published: August 27, 2024 at 2:46 p.m.