14 Mar Anita Baker to say farewell at Jazz in the Gardens festival
The final South Florida performance by Grammy-winning R&B singer Anita Baker is just one of many reasons to find your way to Jazz in the Gardens this weekend at Hard Rock Stadium.
Baker is among the featured performers at the 13th annual festival, along with Chaka Khan, Smokey Robinson, Joe, Fantasia, Trombone Shorty, Avery Sunshine and the JITG All Stars.
Miami rapper Trick Daddy also will perform, as will throwback acts including Salt ’n’ Pepa, Kid ’n’ Play and Biz Markie. The Miami-based A. Randolph Band will serve as the JITG house band.
Hosted by charismatic comic and radio personality Rickey Smiley, the festival is expected to attract more than 70,000 fans to Miami Gardens on Saturday and Sunday, March 17-18, for music, art vendors and an array of fare from local restaurants in the food village.
The weekend begins with a separate 8 p.m. Friday opening-night party featuring the S.O.S. Band. Opening-night tickets cost $35 at JazzInTheGardens.com/Night.
Baker, 60, announced in January that she will retire from performing after a handful of shows that include her Jazz in the Gardens appearance on Sunday.
Best known for the singles “Sweet Love,” “Body & Soul” and “Just Because,” Baker had four albums reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart: “Rhythm of Love,” “Giving You the Best That I Got,” “My Everything” and “Rapture.”
Baker is among the headliners at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, which begins April 27.
When: Saturday-Sunday, March 17-18; gates open at 3 p.m. each day, with music beginning at 4 p.m.
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, 347 Don Shula Drive, Miami Gardens
Cost: Single-day tickets purchased in advance cost $69 for general admission, $86 for reserved seating; advance two-day passes cost $96 for general admission, $134 for reserved seats. Single-day tickets purchased on the day of the show will cost $80 for general admission, $96 for reserved seats. Two-day passes purchased on the day of the show will cost $116 for general admission, $155 for reserved seats. VIP tickets also are available.
Contact: 561-681-5645 or JazzInTheGardens.com