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BBC News
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Mostly Jazz Festival generates £1m for economy, say organisers
An annual jazz festival in Birmingham generates £1m for the city's economy every year, according to its Jazz, Funk and Soul Festival brought 3,000 music lovers to Moseley Park from 11 to 13 July as they watched headliners Ezra Collective, War and Maribou manager John Fell said a record number of people attended the sold-out event this year, which supported a range of local businesses from hotels to food traders."We always try and promote the local economy, and businesses always say that over this weekend their revenue streams really go up," he said. The event has been held since 2010, starting off as a two-day spin-off from Moseley Folk Festival with headliners Sun Ra Arkestra and Courtney aimed to provide a platform for local talent alongside international acts, with between 1,000 and 1,500 people attending each day. Director Gerv Havill said he never expected it to become so popular as audiences travelled from the UK, Europe and the US to attend the festival every year."Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival is now firmly cemented in the city's cultural calendar," he said. One of the traders selling food at the festival was Sean McCabe, who runs the meatball food stall The StreetBaller. He described the event as one of the "highlights" of his year."Being a local lad where the population of Kings Heath and Moseley are there, it's a fantastic place to be," he Mr McCabe set up his business in 2024, he has sold food at venues across the Midlands and hopes to expand his customer base in the said that there was a real "sense of community" while selling food at the festival, as local traders supported each other and worked together."I had good sales over the whole weekend and lots of people visited who hadn't come before," he said. The Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath has been hosting official parties after the festival finishes each night most years since the event began in Matt Leftfoot said the pub always sees hundreds of people attending, with tickets sold out on the afterparties are held at its club venue upstairs, other festival-goers come in late at night for a casual drink the years, the pub has hosted DJs like Goldie, Herbert, Gilles Peterson and Craig Charles at its afterparties."We can wholeheartedly say it has a really positive impact on the local economy. It's very much a family affair, community-driven event," he said. The Bournbrook Inn in Stirchley said that the festival was a "good thing" to have locally, as it brought in extra customers to its hotel every has 53 rooms which are "always full" during the event, as the hotel sees a 10% rise in bookings compared to a normal weekend. "We get in more staff to look after the hotel; there are definitely benefits of the festival," the pub like Ezra Collective stayed at the hotel over the weekend while performing at the festival while other rooms were open so artists could use the showers in between performances."We're happy to host any guests; it's nice for the staff to have the artists but it's also quite low-key," the pub Jazz, Funk and Soul Festival is set to run in 2026 from 10 to 12 July, and artists could be announced at the end of the year. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Forbes
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Chaka Khan Headlines Musical Tribute To Quincy Jones At Montreux Jazz Festival
MJF LAC. Scène du Lac. Chaka Khan © Lionel Flusin © Lionel Flusin Montreux Jazz festival kicked off its 59th edition on Friday 4th July with Chaka Khan's musical homage to 28-time Grammy Award winner Quincy Jones. Legendary Soulstress Chaka Khan led the tribute to Quincy Jones–former Ambassador and co-producer of the festival–who died last year aged 91. Held on the stunning Lake Stage overlooking magical Lake Geneva, the emotional celebration was a joyful opening night full of music and brimming with love for the legendary Music Producer who was instrumental in shaping the soul of Montreux Jazz Festival. Chaka Khan's tribute to Quincy set the tone for an extraordinary two-week programme of live music in Montreux, which ends on 19th July. There was no more fitting way to open the 2025 Montreux Jazz Festival than by honouring the legacy of legendary American Music Producer Quincy Jones–who passed away last November–in a one-of-a-kind show created especially for Montreux and fronted by iconic Chicago-born singer Chaka Khan on the fourth of July–US Independence Day. Chaka was joined by several special guests with a link to Quincy to pay a musical tribute to their friend and mentor. The unique concert was streamed worldwide as part of the Festival's livestream programme. MJF LAC. Scène du Lac. ChakaKhan © Lionel Flusin © Lionel Flusin Following Chaka Khan's show stopping tribute to Quincy Jones, legendary folk singer Neil Young took to the stage on Sunday 6th July, and a host of world-class performers–including Lionel Richie, Diana Ross and Grace Jones, as well as Pulp and Alanis Morissette (fresh from standout performances at Glastonbury)–will grace the Lake Stage for a lakeside swan song before the Festival returns to the Montreux Convention Centre in 2026 for its 60th edition. After a first act featuring her greatest hits, kicking off with a storming rendition of hit I'm every woman , Chaka was joined on-stage by a host of special guests who have shared the stage or studio with Jones over the decades including; Siedah Garrett, Lalah Hathaway, Rahsaan Patterson, Mica Paris, SEVEN, and Marc Sway. The starry ensemble of musicians covered multiple hit songs produced by Quincy including Man in the Mirror (which Grammy Award winning singer Siedah Garrett co-wrote), Give Me the Night and The Secret Garden , as well as Chaka tracks Tell Me Something Good to Do You Love What You Feel . Chaka Khan's star wattage shone through her stage presence and powerful voice, which belied her 72 years and diminutive form, and she captivated the packed audience on the Lake Stage for an energy-filled set lasting more than three hours. The performance was titled To Q With Love –inspired by Frank Sinatra's affectionate nickname of 'Q' for Quincy–and a touching montage of archive footage featuring early performances by Chaka Khan, and images of the festival's founder Claude Nobs with Quincy, was introduced in a pre-recorded video message by Michelle Obama. MJF LAC. Scène du Lac OST. Chaka Khan & Siedah Garrett © Lionel Flusin © Lionel Flusin Highlights of the magical evening–aside from Chaka's spellbinding performance–were emotion-filled renditions of Quincy hit records by Soul Queens Siedah Garrett, Mica Paris and Lalah Hathaway, and a joyful appearance by Swiss-Brazilian singer and percussionist Marc Sway. Set against the backdrop of a balmy July evening on Lake Geneva, the uplifting concert was a fitting homage to Quincy Jones and cemented the impact of his legacy on Montreux and on the history of music. MJF LAC Scène du Lac OST. Marc Sway performing at Chaka Khan concert. © Lionel Flusin © Lionel Flusin Chaka Khan told the crowd: 'This here tonight is a tribute to one of the most amazing men on the planet, and in music. As a father, a grandfather, an uncle, he was many things to me. And I know in your heart of hearts, where your music part lives, that he's part of it. So, we're gonna' do a little tribute–no a big tribute actually–to Quincy Jones.' This was a unique moment to witness in Montreux as iconic Soultress Chaka Khan performed her greatest hits in a one-off tribute to the late, great Quincy Jones–former co-producer and ambassador of Montreux Jazz Festival–before the performances return to a newly renovated Casino in 2026. MJF LAC. Scène du Lac OST. Siedah Garrett performs with Chaka Khan © Lionel Flusin © Lionel Flusin Before her rendition of Man in the Mirror Siedah Garrett recounted to the audience: 'This song changed my life. This song has opened so many doors, has allowed me to be on this stage tonight honouring the late, great, Quincy Delight Jones. So he [Quincy] was looking for one more song to round up the 'Bad' album [by Michael Jackson]. So Glen [Ballard] and I wrote this song and Michael loved it and recorded it.' Arriving by boat across the glistening water of Lake Geneva from stunning Hotel des Couronnes in Vevey was the ultimate mode of transport, the lake stage appearing above the crystal clear water of Lake Geneva in a magical prelude to an unforgettable night of life-affirming music. An Electrifying Farewell As the final chords rang out and Chaka brought the night full circle with a rousing encore of I'm Every Woman , a tangible electricity surged through the crowd and everybody danced, including the most reserved concert goers. A perfectly fitting end to an unforgettable evening of music on the Swiss Riviera. More than a concert, the performance felt like a musically spiritual communion–an expression of love for Quincy and his legacy, a joyous celebration of Chaka Khan's contribution to music history, a showcase for the talents of her supporting singers and musicians, and an ode to the natural beauty of Lake Geneva and Montreux. MJF LAC. Scène du Lac OST. Chaka Khan © Lionel Flusin © Lionel Flusin Streaming for the World, from Montreux with Love All performances from Montreux Jazz Festival 2025 are being livestreamed for free via the Festival's official YouTube channel, continuing its mission to bring live music to audiences around the world, without borders. The full and updated streaming schedule is available on the festival website. With To Q With Love , Montreux didn't just open a music festival—it opened a portal. To memory. To melody. To the spirit of Quincy Jones. And surely–as Chaka's performance unfolded under the starry night Sky of Montreux– Quincy Jones and Claude Nobs were listening from the heavens. A Starry line-up at Montreux Jazz Festival 2025 Chaka Khan's Quincy Jones tribute kicked off a two week festival programme with a a standout lineup including RAYE, Benson Boone, The Black Keys, FKA Twigs, Alanis Morissette, J Balvin, Bloc Party, Joe Bonamassa, London Grammar, RÜFÜS DU SOL, and Celeste. All the concerts will be available to livestream for free on the Montreux Jazz Festival's official YouTube channel, bringing Montreux's iconic lakeside experience directly to music lovers everywhere and continuing the Festival's ambition to bring live music to as wide a public as possible. The full and updated broadcast schedule is available on the festival's website. With this extraordinary opening night, the Montreux Jazz Festival 2025 is officially underway, promising two more weeks of unforgettable moments on the shores of Lake Geneva. For more information or tickets go the festival website.
Forbes
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Marvin Gaye Earns A Long Overdue Music Industry Award
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' is certified seven-times platinum by ... More the RIAA, making it Gaye's most awarded single to date. American Soul musician Marvin Gaye (1939 - 1984) performs onstage at the Holiday Star Theater, Merrillville, Indiana, June 10, 1983. (Photo by) Getty Images Throughout his storied career, Marvin Gaye scored many successful singles. He changed the sound of popular music in America. The multi-talented musician made pop music much more thoughtful and soulful, imbuing his work with a depth of meaning many other superstars couldn't muster, and he's remembered not just as a hitmaker, but as a true artist. Decades after his passing and long after many of his most successful tracks were released, Gaye collects a very special award and sees one of his most familiar tunes reach new heights. 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' Becomes Marvin Gaye's Biggest Hit The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has finally certified Gaye's 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough,' his collaboration with Tammi Terrell. Before May 2025, the song had never earned any gold or platinum plaques. But now, in one fell swoop, it has become a certified smash — not that it needed plaques to confirm its status as one of the more successful tunes of the late 1960s. The collaboration went from no honors to becoming a seven-times platinum success story in one leap. That means the music industry organization has certified that it has moved at least seven million equivalent units between pure sales and streaming activity. 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' Is Marvin Gaye's Third RIAA-Certified Track 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' is just the third title from Gaye's discography to earn any kind of certification from the RIAA. Both 'Let's Get It On' and 'Sexual Healing' have been named platinum successes — although in multiple different iterations. So, the total number of units moved may actually be greater than just one million each. Thanks to its new awards, 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' has outperformed all of Gaye's other certified tunes combined. Marvin Gaye's Album Also Earns an Award Seven of Gaye's albums have also been certified by the RIAA. The most successful among them, Midnight Love, is up to triple platinum status, with at least three million equivalent units moved. A duet project with Terrell — his partner on 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' — titled United was also certified gold at the same time that the song earned its seven platinum plaques. Terrell has only scored her two wins years after she landed her biggest hit, but she finally collects RIAA honors. Multiple Versions of the Song Have Found Success Multiple versions of 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' became hits in America. While Gaye and Terrell turned the composition into a smash originally, and peaked at No. 19 on the Hot 100, it lifted even higher later on. The Supremes and The Temptations teamed up for a rendition, and Diana Ross eventually turned it into her first solo No. 1 on the Hot 100 in 1970.
