Essence Festival
Where: New Orleans
When: July 3-6
Description: Essence, a celebration of Black music and culture, has been held every Independence Day weekend since 1995, when it marked the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine.
R&B favorites Lionel Richie, Mary J. Blige and Jill Scott are among the powerhouse performers scheduled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this year’s festival.
Reggae Sumfest
Where: Montego Bay, Jamaica
When: July 13-19
Description:
Faced with the loss of the annual reggae festival, Reggae Sunsplash, a group of business people in Montego Bay came together to form Summerfest Productions Ltd. The company was formed in 1993 and staged the first annual Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay from Aug. 11– 14.
Staged annually during the third week of July, the festival is now an established staple on the Jamaican entertainment calendar, attracting people from all over the globe.
New Orleans Jazz Festival
Where: New Orleans
When: April 25- May 4
Description:
Often known as Jazz Fest, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is an annual celebration of the music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana. Use of the term “Jazz Fest” can also include the days surrounding the festival and the many shows at unaffiliated New Orleans nightclubs scheduled during the event weekends.
The festival celebrates the indigenous music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana, so the music encompasses every style associated with the city and the state: blues, R&B, gospel music, Cajun music, zydeco, Afro-Caribbean, folk music, Latin, rock, rap music, country music, bluegrass and everything in between. Of course, there is also lots of jazz, both contemporary and traditional.
