Latest news with #BlackRadioExperience
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Legendary R&B group named surprise headliner of Napa music festival
Earth, Wind & Fire will serve as the 'surprise headliner' for this year's Black Radio Experience presented by the Blue Note Jazz Festival, bringing its timeless catalog of soul, funk and R&B to Napa over Labor Day weekend. The nine-time Grammy Award-winning group, whose chart-topping hits like 'September' and 'Let's Groove' have become karaoke night staples, joins an already star-studded lineup curated by festival Artist in Residence Robert Glasper, promoters announced Tuesday, June 10. The three-day event, from Aug. 29–31 at the Meritage Resort and Spa, is also slated to feature Grammy-nominated soul singer Stokley and early 2000s rap, hip-hop and R&B acts such as The Roots, Jazmine Sullivan, Esperanza Spalding, Hiatus Kaiyote, D-Nice, Lupe Fiasco, and others. This marks the fourth annual Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa and the second year of the more intimate Black Radio Experience, which highlights contemporary and legacy Black artists across several genres. After parties over the festival weekend are scheduled on Aug. 29 and 30, boasting DJ sets from Talib Kweli, Questlove, DJ Jazzy Jeff and more. Black Radio Experience will kick off with a private opening dinner and concert hosted by Glasper on Aug. 28. Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa launched in 2022 at the Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, hosted by controversial comedian Dave Chappelle. He also served as emcee the following year when the festival moved to the Silverado Resort & Spa. The multi-stage festival has seen marquee acts such as John Legend, Chance the Rapper, Mary J Blige and Andre 3000 over the years. Last year, Glasper and Blue Note organizers said they decided to launch the Black Radio Experience as a more intimate spin-off to foster a closer connection between the artists and their fans. It was hosted by Oakland native and radio personality Sway Calloway, who will return this year.
San Francisco Chronicle
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Blue Note Jazz evokes 2000s nostalgia with Black Radio Experience lineup
The 4th annual Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa is throwing it back to the early 2000s with its Black Radio Experience. R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan, hip-hop group the Roots and drummer and producer Questlove, all of whom broke into the mainstream around the start of the century, are on the bill for the Labor Day weekend event this year. Others set to perform at this year's event, set for Aug. 29-31 at the Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa, include co-founder and artist in residence Robert Glasper, jazz group Hiatus Kaiyote, pop-rock singer Willow and rappers Lupe Fiasco and Terrace Martin. A full lineup of announced artists can be found online, with more to be revealed. Ticket presales start at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, and general onsale begins at 9 a.m. Friday, May 9. 'Black Radio Experience and Robtober are the platforms I use to bring all my favorite artists and collaborators together as one big family reunion,' Glasper said in a statement, referencing his annual October residency at New York City's Blue Note Jazz Club. 'I'm honored to be part of such an amazing community.' The night before performances kick off, on Aug. 28, Glasper plans to host an exclusive opening dinner and concert to kick things off. In addition to the festival throughout the weekend, afterparties are set for Aug. 29-30, featuring special guests such as DJ Jazzy Jeff, Talib Kewli and D-Nice. Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa launched in 2022 as a hub for all things hip-hop and R&B. The multi-stage festival has seen headliners such as John Legend, Chance the Rapper, and Mary J Blige over the years. Last year, it launched the Black Radio Experience as a more intimate spin-off.
