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\u2019 names from the \u201880s and \u201890s can be seen on the lineup alongside emerging and local artists.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Richie, known for his mega-hits such as \u201cEndless Love,\u201d \u201cLady,\u201d \u201cTruly,\u201d \u201cAll Night Long,\u201d \u201cPenny Lover,\u201d \u201cStuck on You,\u201d \u201cHello,\u201d \u201cSay You, Say Me,\u201d \u201cDancing on the Ceiling,\u201d and one of the most important pop songs in history, \u201cWe Are the World,\u201d 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 \u201cThree Times a Lady,\u201d \u201cStill\u201d and \u201cEasy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Richie was a judge on ABC\u2019s “American Idol\u201d this past season and is returning for the 2019 season. He launched his Las Vegas headlining residency show, Lionel Richie\u2014All 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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s biggest crowd ever with more than 200,000 attendees.<\/p>\n
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\u2019Jays; 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.<\/p>\n
Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert said he is excited about JITG 2019, which official runs March 9-10.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026 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,\u201d Gilbert said. \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Friday, March 8 starts with the Women\u2019s Impact Luncheon in honor of Women\u2019s History Month. Later, attend the opening party with The Sugarhill Gang as the talent for the evening.<\/p>\n
For tickets visit www.jazzinthegardens.com.<\/p>\n