JITG sweetened with Bahamian flavor
Emily “Sweet Emily” Williams, the queen of Junkanoo, will be the first Bahamian to perform on the Jazz In The Gardens Music Fest ticket.
Sweet Emily, one of the two-day festival’s opening acts is scheduled for a 2:59 p.m. performance on Saturday, March 9, at the Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Miami, Florida.
Sweet Emily says she will pack a punch at this 17th annual festival, accompanied by Junkanooers who reside in the Miami area, and stilt walkers stage-side during what is expected to be an approximate 15-to-20 minutes set.
In the days leading up to her performance, Sweet Emily, whose music career spans more than four decades, in the leadup to the popular music festival, rehearsed with the Deep Fried Funk Band which delivers incredible stage presence with every performance.
She said when JITG organizers thought about expanding the genres for this year’s festival, the destination closest to Miami – The Bahamas came to mind. And that she was tapped because of her musical abilities, vast catalog of work, large fan base in Miami and because she can work a crowd.
“Sweet Emily embodies the cultural demeanor of her country. Her traditional musical style, clean rhythmic movements on stage and her strong melodious vocal sound is what Bahamians around South Florida love,” she said on her social media page.
She said she has the authentic sound of The Bahamas that is loved and that makes her unique.
“Sweet Emily is an experienced performing artist who has the ability to ignite the Bahamian musical experience at Jazz In The Gardens, and those who attend the event will agree that her classic hits are still relevant even among younger audiences,” she said.
Sweet Emily will be taking to the stage at the music festival that has become the City of Miami flagship event and that is being headlined by the soul-stirring, Grammy award-winning, and multi-platinum-selling Maxwell.
The star-studded lineup also features Babyface, Jeezy, Scarface, and DJ Cassidy’s “Pass the Mic Live! featuring Lil Kim, T.I., Too $hort, Uncle Luke, Tamia, Marsha Ambrosius and October London – and that is only day two.
Sweet Emily’s Saturday card will feature performances by Jazmine Sullivan, Summer Walker, Davido, Kirk Franklin, Omarion, Fantasia (who is one of Sweet Emily’s favorites), Tink and Eric Bellinger and a special DJ set by Kid Capri – “DJ Nasty 305 Welcome to The Crib Set” featuring Rick Ross, Trick Daddy, Trina, Ballgreezy, Wayne Wonda, Major 9 and Michael Sterling.
Jazz In The Gardens will be hosted by the dynamic comedic duo Rickey Smiley and Jess Hilarious.
Taking in the festival, courtesy of The Nassau Guardian, Star 106.5 FM Hits, Bahamasair, the newly renovated Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 1701 University Drive, Plantation, Florida; and GoGoFlorida, will be promotion winners Amanda Curling and Delwyn Cox, who were both winners of Bahamasair tickets and concert tickets for two; as well as Shania Brown and Anastasia Turnquest who won concert tickets for two.
Curling, a multi-JITG festival attendee and winner was excited to win again to what she says is one of her favorite music festivals.
“Very excited,” she said. “I want to see DJ Cassidy because I watched him all through COVID.”
The veteran music festival attendee said she wanted to see Sweet Emily as well, but lamented the Bahamian’s early stage time, and that she for certain wants to see Fantasia.
Her sister, Sheryl Curling, will travel with her once again.
“When she [Sheryl] heard I won, she said ‘Look at God.’”
Curling said she purchased quite a few Nassau Guardians to enter the promotion, but says it paid off.
Delwyn Cox, will be going to his first JITG music festival and says he knows it will be “awesome” considering Davido will be performing.
“I’m just looking forward to enjoying myself.”
And he will be doing so with is “ride or die cousin, Shantel Horton.”
Shania Brown was also excited to be attending. She said she has heard great things about the music festival from her aunts, who just happens to be Amanda and Sheryl Curling.
“They’ve said it’s such a good time and how much they enjoy the music and get to learn about new music and artists, so I’m looking forward to having their experience.’’
Brown will be taking another Curling sister with her, her aunt Avilda Curling.
Tony Williams, Star 106.5 FM Hits programming director said the country’s top radio station and The Nassau Guardian are always thrilled to give Bahamians a chance to take in the much-anticipated festival for free.
He said as always, the masses of Bahamians traveling to Florida for JITG will be assured an amazing time.
A number of supplementary winners won concert tickets to the festival at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
“Since 2009, The Nassau Guardian and Star 106.5 FM Hits has partnered with Jazz In The Gardens and Bahamasair and GoGoFlorida, and the newly renovated Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Plantation, Florida; and GoGoFlorida to send Nassau Guardian readers and listeners to the most exciting festival in the Florida area. Once again, we are thrilled for the opportunity to do so,” said Williams.
The event is called Jazz In The Gardens, but the two-day event offers a dynamic fusion of R&B, Soul, Afrobeat, and Hip-Hop genres, broadening the festival’s appeal across diverse age groups.
Black Promoters Collective (BPC) unveiled the groundbreaking partnership with JITG marking a significant step towards redefining and expanding the iconic festival experience.
Troy Brown, Black Promoters Collective partner and CMO said BPC is thrilled to work alongside the City of Miami Gardens to enhance the already vibrant Jazz In The Gardens brand and take it to the next level.
“For example, notably, JITG has never incorporated the Afrobeat genre into its lineup. BPC plans to change that and infuse the festival with a mix of genres, promising an unforgettable experience for attendees,” said Brown.
Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris said the partnership with the BPC promises an enhanced festival experience, and a line-up of talented artists who represent the diverse culture in Miami Gardens and the South Florida region.
This year’s festival staging will offer exciting additions – a vibrant marketplace, providing festival-goers with a diverse and immersive experience, accelerated storytelling, and a newly installed food truck
Tickets can be purchased at jazzinthegardens.com/tickets. Gates open at 2 p.m.
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