Usher to lead lineup at Jazz in the Gardens

By Ben Crandell

Usher leads lineup for 2016 Jazz in the Gardens (@jazzgardens) concerts at Sun Life Stadium March 18-20.

Eight-time Grammy-winning singer, dancer and actor Usher will top an impressive lineup of artists at the 11th annual Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival at Sun Life Stadium March 18-20.

The concerts, which drew more than 78,000 attendees to the Miami Gardens venue in 2015, also will include performances by Kool & the Gang, the Average White Band, Brian Culbertson, Michael McDonald, Fred Hammond and the Jazz in the Gardens AllStars, a collective led by Najee, Regina Belle and Alex Bugnon.

Another headliner is expected to be named for Jazz in the Gardens, which will be hosted by comedian Rickey Smiley and include an opening-night party on Friday, March 18.

Usher had a Top 20 hit in 2015 with “I Don’t Mind” (featuring Juicy J), just the latest in a string of hits in the past decade that has included “Good Kisser,” “New Flame” (with Rick Ross and Chris Brown), “Nice,” “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love,” “Love This Club,” “Confessions” and “Yeah!”

Past performers at Jazz in the Gardens have included Maxwell, Run DMC, R. Kelly, Toni Braxton, LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige, Charlie Wilson, New Edition, Neyo, Earth Wind & Fire, Gladys Knight, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Nicole Henry and Kenny G.

Advance tickets for Jazz in the Gardens are on sale now, beginning at $65 for general-admission seating, $80 for reserved seats. Advance two-day passes are $90 for general admission, $125 reserved. VIP packages also are available.

More information can be found at JazzInTheGardens.com.

Get daily updates on South Florida entertainment and things to do at SouthFlorida.com, on Twitter at @BenCrandell and Instagram /BenCrandell. Email: bcrandell@southflorida.com.

http://www.southflorida.com/events/go-guide-blog/sf-usher-at-jazz-in-the-gardens-music-festival-20160105-story.html