The City of Miami Gardens took South Florida by storm this past weekend with its highly anticipated 15th Annual Jazz in The Gardens Music Festival (JITG), which took place March 11-13, 2022, after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. This year\u2019s event was hosted by syndicated radio personality Rickey Smiley. <\/p>\n
The Women\u2019s Empowerment Luncheon, presented by South Florida-based author and coach Natasha Mayne aka \u201cThe Vogue Attorney,\u201d kicked off the 2022 celebrations on Friday, March 11 with a motivating address featuring Gospel Artist Yolanda Adams. This intimate discussion centered on what it means to be a spiritual woman in today\u2019s chaotic society. Over 400 people attended the colorful event, which served as a day of fellowship after a two-year gap. The JITG Official Press Conference, moderated by Natasha Mayne, immediately followed. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe return of Jazz in Gardens was a great experience,\u201d said Mayor Rodney Harris. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to everyone for all their hard work in making the festival a success, the sponsors, production team, staff, volunteers, attendees and of course\u2014all the incredible artists who performed.\u201d. <\/p>\n
On Saturday, a sold-out crowd enjoyed the Jazz in the Gardens music festival, which featured performances by the Isley Brothers\u2019 Ron and Ernie Isley, SWV\u2019s Cheryl \u201cCoko\u201d Gamble, Leanne \u201cLeLee\u201d Lyons, Tamara \u201cTaj\u201d George and rap icon Black Thought of the Roots, who brought on DJ Jazzy Jeff with performances by T-Pain, and headliner Mary J Blige. Mark Allen Fenton, jazz saxophonist Mike Phillips, Stokley, formerly of Mint Condition, Jonathan Reynolds, Rick Ross, and headliner H.E.R. performed on Sunday. <\/p>\n
Mayor Harris and the city council also declared March 13 to be \u201cRick Ross Day,\u201d a fitting tribute to Rick Ross, a Miami Gardens native who has become one of the world\u2019s most popular entertainers in addition to being a prolific entrepreneur with interests in brands such as WingStop, Rap Snacks, Belaire Champagne and more.<\/p>\n
-Sumaiyah E. Wade<\/p>\n