12 Dec Get ready for 2019 JITG fest
The 2019 lineup of Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival will once again give patrons a mix of old and new artists. Depending on your age, the line-up may be considered new and not-so-new. Lots of artists’ names from the ‘80s and ‘90s can be seen on the lineup alongside emerging and local artists.
Lionel Richie, one of only two songwriters in history to achieve the honor of having No. 1 records for nine consecutive years, headlines the 14th installation of Jazz in the Gardens on March 10 at Hard Rock Stadium.
Presented by the city of Miami Gardens, nationally syndicated radio personality, Rickey Smiley will once again host the two-day music festival, which features artists from R&B, soul, jazz, hip-hop and funk genres.
Richie, known for his mega-hits such as “Endless Love,” “Lady,” “Truly,” “All Night Long,” “Penny Lover,” “Stuck on You,” “Hello,” “Say You, Say Me,” “Dancing on the Ceiling,” and one of the most important pop songs in history, “We Are the World,” written with Michael Jackson for USA for Africa, has had a Renaissance of sorts. His song catalog also includes his early work with The Commodores, where he penned “Three Times a Lady,” “Still” and “Easy.”
Richie was a judge on ABC’s “American Idol” this past season and is returning for the 2019 season. He launched his Las Vegas headlining residency show, Lionel Richie—All the Hits, at The Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in April 2016. Richie took his fans on a musical journey, performing a variety of his seminal hits. The residency wrapped in October 2018 after a three-year run.
With his most recent All the Hits, All Night Long Tour, Richie sold out arenas worldwide with a set list of his brightest and best anthems. In recent years, he also headlined festivals including Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, and Glastonbury, drawing the festival’s biggest crowd ever with more than 200,000 attendees.
Also appearing will be Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter Teddy Riley & Friends featuring Blackstreet with Teddy Riley and Dave Hollister, Bobby Brown, and Doug E. Fresh with special guests En Vogue and Jagged Edge; the legendary smooth trio The O’Jays; the soul-stirring Stephanie Mills; eclectic violinists Black Violin and gospel sensation Tye Tribbett. The Jazz in the Gardens All-Stars, featuring Maysa, Chieli Minucci, Gerald Veasley, Lao Tizer, and Nelson Rangell will be back. More artists will be announced soon.
Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert said he is excited about JITG 2019, which official runs March 9-10.
“… We are excited about the talented artists who will be gracing the stage. The diversity in the music and talent offers something for everyone, from the most requested artist for the JITG stage, Lionel Richie, to gospel and of course jazz,” Gilbert said. “The city is extremely pleased with the growth of the festival and the opportunity to showcase our home, Miami Gardens, to the thousands of patrons it attracts.”
Jazz in the Gardens-tied events start March 7 with the Film, Music, Art & Culture Conference at the FIU Kovens Center in North Miami and the Poetry in the Gardens contest with prize packages between $1,500 and $10,000.
Friday, March 8 starts with the Women’s Impact Luncheon in honor of Women’s History Month. Later, attend the opening party with The Sugarhill Gang as the talent for the evening.
For tickets visit www.jazzinthegardens.com.