RELATED:\u00a0Sweet Love: Anita Baker Plans Triumphant Return With Farewell Concert Series<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re selling an experience, not just a musical performance,\u201d Gilbert said.<\/p>\n In the days leading up to the event, attendees can select to attend a range of events including a cuisine experience hosted by celebrity chefs, a F-MAC Conference which stands for film, music and art, and a women\u2019s empowerment luncheon.<\/p>\n Over the past 12 years, the festival grew from a small concert to a large affair with celebrated international acts.\u00a0\u201cWe wanted to try and reclaim the conversation about Miami Gardens to be a destination place, Gilbert said.<\/p>\n \u201cTo see how it grew from these few people, to local jazz artists to this thing that were promoting in D.C. , New York and L.A. To see how persistence happens,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n Past performers included jazz great Herbie Hancock<\/strong>, rapper Common<\/strong>, jazz bassist\/singer Esperanza Spaulding<\/strong> and songstress Jill Scott<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This year, spectators are especially excited as Chaka Khan<\/strong> and Anita Baker<\/strong> were announced as festival headliners. In January, Baker tweeted the festival would be one in a series of concert stops signifying her retirement from music.\u00a0Gilbert revealed he\u2019s especially looking forward to hearing Baker perform her song \u201cFairytales\u201d when she hits the stage.<\/p>\n Other performers expected to grace this years stage include native son Trick Daddy<\/strong>, Joe,<\/strong> Fantasia<\/strong>\u00a0, Smokey Robison<\/strong> and Salt-N-Pepa<\/strong>, just to name a few.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have Rickey Smiley<\/strong> hosting of course and he\u2019s hilarious, but then we have the party that happens with people. What you find is that people will party with you. Everyone is just there to have a good time.\u201d<\/p>\n Gilbert, the festival\u2019s executive producer, embarked on a multiple city tour in early February to amplify the festival\u2019s awareness.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m walking around every section the whole time, not because I run stuff but because I want to ensure your experience. I can\u2019t remember every performer at every Jazz In The Gardens, but I can remember how the event made me feel. People remember the feelings.\u201d<\/p>\n The two-term politician who was elected in 2012, also serves as the president of the African-American Mayor\u2019s Association.<\/p>\n \u201cMy main concern is always changing the content that\u2019s available to people about my city,\u201d Gilbert said. \u00a0Because bad things will happen and people will focus on those bad things. I want an opportunity to create as many positive contact on the web, in the news, in the media as possible. And I\u2019m hands on for that reason.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/ionehellobeautiful.files.wordpress.com\/2018\/03\/15204018164957.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&w=1024&h=683\")
Source: Mychal Watts \/ Getty<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/ionehellobeautiful.files.wordpress.com\/2018\/03\/15204018369827.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&w=1024&h=683\")
Source: Mychal Watts \/ Getty<\/p>\n<\/div>\n