Jazz in the Gardens: Florida’s Largest Black City Hosts ‘Family Reunion’ Style Music Festival
From good food to even better music and doing the electric slide to Frankie Beverly and Maze’s ‘Before I Let Go’ with a smooth transition into Beyonce’s new school edition, Jazz in the Gardens is like that out-of-town family reunion you can’t miss. Luckily, this one has no family drama.
It’s the family reunion your auntie or grandmother from your momma’s side would host. The city’s mayor, Shirley Gibson, is the matriarch of this Black family reunion style festival.
Gibson and other city residents started Jazz in the Gardens in 2006, just four years after leading the charge to incorporate Miami Gardens as a self-governing city. Like all family reunions, Gibson’s vision was to spread love and foster connection through music and community. She also wanted to celebrate Black culture in Florida’s largest African-American city. Unfortunately, Shirley passed away in 2023, but not her vision. Like all families, the baton is passed on to the next generation when the elder transitions. Now carrying the torch, Mayor Rodney Harris continues Gibson’s vision.
“[Miami Gardens] is one of the fastest growing cities in Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida,” he tells Travel Noire. We are proud of our heritage.”
Mayor Harris and city leaders decided to rally some help to highlight Miami Gardens. The city partnered with the Black Promoters Collective to ensure everyone was invited to the cookout to see some of the bests of Black music. Baby Face, Kirk Franklin, Jeezy, Lil Kim, Maxwell, Jazmine Sullivan, Summer Walker, Tamia, and T.I. are just a few of the artists who performed between two stages.
The Festival Experience
More than 30,000 people attended the two-day festival at Hard Rock Stadium in 2024. This nearly doubles the attendance from the previous year. 2024 also marked a historical moment for the festival because it was the first time an Afrobeats artist performed. Davido graced the main stage on the first night.
For couple Jon Nicolas and Kelly Robotham, Jazz in the Gardens is one of few festivals that unifies the younger and older generations through music.
“It’s a great experience. It really helps to blend the different age groups,” he says. “You can get the young and older crowd together, and everybody can have a great time.”
“It’s a beautiful celebration of Black culture and a great way to get a quick crash course on Black music,” says Robotham. “I was born in 1988, and when I saw Baby Face, he performed songs from 1982, and the music still hits. It’s a great festival to learn and appreciate Black music.”
A Festival of Healing
Mayor Harris says 2024’s festival couldn’t come at a more dire time. There’s a culture war happening in Florida about how African American history (among other topics) is taught. In 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Stop W.O.K.E Act. The act ultimately limits and restricts how race and LGBTQ+ issues are taught in public classrooms.
While there’s cultural turmoil outside, Jazz in the Gardens is where Black folks can be themselves. This was evident by the “sigh of relief” feeling in the atmosphere as people danced to the music in nearly 90-something-degree temperatures.
“This event is for us, by us,” Mayor Harris says regarding why people in the community find Jazz in the Gardens a vital place. “This [event] is ours, and everybody has a sense of comradery … it’s a sense of pride.”
Events Beyond Jazz in the Gardens
Jazz in the Gardens is more than a two-day festival. The city hosts events all weekend long to support Black-owned businesses and locals artists at its markeplace and food truck village. Other events the city hosted include the Women’s Impact Luncheon and the opening night party ahead of the festival.
