Mary J. Blige, Chance the Rapper, Nas, and More Take the Stage at Blue Note Jazz Festival in Napa 2023
The second annual Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa recently came to a close. For three days, guests gathered in Napa Valley to celebrate all things hip hop! Celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the festival in wine country brought in an stellar lineup of cultural luminaries and next-generation superstars includinng Nas, Mary J. Blige, Chance The Rapper, De La Soul, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Anderson .Paak, Robert Glasper, and more.
The festival was a euphoric celebration of music, culture, and camaraderie and included 43 scheduled concerts on three stages! “This was the one!” exclaimed host Dave Chappelle. “Talent reigned on every square inch of every stage! This was the place to be. Everything about this festival demonstrated what I love most about our culture: creativity, innovation, and resourcefulness.” Chappelle added.
Artist in Residence Robert Glasper, Host Dave Chappelle and Director of Culture and Vibes Dwyane Wade greet the crowd during the Blue Note Jazz Festival on July 30, 2023 in Napa, Calif. (Photo courtesy of Blue Note Jazz Festival)
The main stage was ignited each night by Artist in Residence Robert Glasper's jazz-fused music and host Dave Chappelle's hilarious wit, setting the larger stage of appreciation for the arts and culture. NBA champion and wine entrepreneur Dwyane Wade served as the festival’s Director of Culture and Vibes and helped elevate the guests' experience by organizing events for food enthusiasts and wine connoisseurs.
"What sets this festival apart and makes it so dynamic is the atmosphere that we meticulously cultivate for both the esteemed audience and the extraordinary artists," said Alex Kurland, the director of programming for the Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa. "Essentially, it’s like an epic family reunion. The kinship between artists and cultural keepers sets the stage for impromptu and legendary collaborations, which enhance the overall guest experience. Check out the below daily recap over the celebration!
Day 1
Mary J. Blige as she captivates the crowd with her iconic hits during her performance on the first day of the Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa, on July 28, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Blue Note Jazz Festival)
The three-day, three-stage festival kicked off on Friday, July 28, with J.Period presenting A Jazz Thing Live Mixtape on the Black Radio Stage, ushering in the crowd who braved the +/- 85 degree temperatures. Chappelle, who popped in, was quoted as saying, “I woke up for this.”
Showcasing the diversity of jazz and its influence on various music genres with an impressive array of performers, including Big Freedia, Ari Lennox, The Soul Rebels, Adam Blackstone, Madlib, Cordae, Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton, Ghost Note, Frédéric Yonnet, and Soulive. A magical moment was captured when Robert Glasper and De La Soul, with Talib Kweli sitting in for Dave Jolicoeur, performed “Me, Myself, and I” on stage with George Clinton, who is sampled on the track.
By evening, the grounds were filled with anticipation as Mary J. Blige took to the stage and demonstrated why she has earned the title "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul." During her headlining performance, she captivated the crowd by rolling through her iconic hits. Following the show, festival goers hit the official after party, conveniently located on the resort grounds, and hosted by Big Freedia, with 9th Wonder and DJ Trauma spinning until 2:00 a.m.
Day 2:
Headliner Nas gave an energetic performance from the Black Radio Stage on Saturday, July 29, 2023 during the Blue Note Jazz Festival, Napa, Calif. (Photo courtesy of Blue Note Jazz Festival)
The festivities continued with performances by Meshell Ndegeocello, Talib Kweli, Madlib, Robert Glasper with special guests Lalah Hathaway and Terrace Martin on the Black Radio Stage. The Soul Rebels, featuring Rapsody and Keyon Harrold, were the standout moments on the Footprint stage.
Nas headlined to a crowd that knew every word of his classic hits like “One Mic”, “Hate Me Now,” “N.Y. State of Mind,'' and “If I Ruled The World,” featuring surprise guest brass band, The Soul Rebels. Nas stood on stage, his music floating across the crowd that was captivated by the mix of hip-hop and jazz. The sun setting beyond the Napa horizon bathed Nas in a golden light, and he smiled broadly as he swayed the crowd to the beats of his own music.
The performance closed with Chappelle directing The Soul Rebels in a moving and emotional rendition of the Church hymn, “Just a Closer Walk with Thee,” joined on stage by Nas and Robert Glasper.
In a rare moment, Nas ventured to the afterparty. After chilling on the side, DJ Jazzy Jeff tested the waters by spinning "Respect” and, ultimately, “It Ain't Hard to Tell.” Feeding off the high energy in the room, Nas grabbed the mic and performed on both songs. “The vibe in the room was amazing,” said DJ Trauma, who spun right before Jazzy Jeff. “When an artist is in the room and they’re so comfortable, you don't even have to ask them to go up? As a DJ, that’s the moment you live for,” he added.
Day 3:
Anderson .Paak, part of the duo NxWorries, soulfully serenades the audience on the last day of the Blue Note Jazz Festival, July 30, 2023 in Napa, Calif. (Photo courtesy of Blue Note Jazz Festival and Mathieu Bitton)
The Sunday lineup continued to deliver with performances by Chance the Rapper, Gary Clark Jr., PJ Morton, yasiin bey, Rakim and DJ Jazzy Jeff, and NxWorries, the duo of Anderson .Paak and Knwledge, Cory Henry, Taylor and Bobby McFerrin, and Derrick Hodge.
Photo courtesy of Blue Note Jazz Festival
Robert Glasper’s Sunday set, hosted by Dave Chappelle, featured Bilal. During Bilal’s rendition of Earth, Wind, and Fire’s “Reasons,” EWF member Phillip Bailey graced the stage, making a surprise appearance and exercising his enviable vocal range and distinctive falsetto.
NBA legend Dwyane Wade, Director of Culture and Vibes, hosts a wine pouring event at the Wine Garden during the first day of the festival at the Silverado Resort, Napa, Calif., Friday, July 28, 2023 (Photo courtesy of Blue Note Jazz Festival)
Festival goers that ventured to the Blue Note Stage area caught an even more intimate vibe as the stage anchored the Wine Garden and “Backyard” experiences. NBA champion and wine entrepreneur Dwyane Wade served as the festival’s Director of Culture and Vibes and helped elevate the guests' experience by hosting two pop-up Wade Cellars’ “When We Gather” events with Chef Darryl Bell of Stateline Road Smokehouse. In addition to Wade Cellars, Black and Black-women-owned businesses were represented in the wine space by Robinand Andréa McBride, of McBride Sisters Wine Company; Carissa and Kenneth Stephens, of Pur Noire Urban Wineries; and Theodora Lee, owner of Theopolis Vineyards and local vineyard Duckhorn Portfolio. All were in the Wine Garden, pouring from their stock and educating guests about wine and wine culture, while Philip Ashley Chocolates offered samples of their delectables. Along with the wine pours and chocolates, a selection of top local restaurateurs provided a delightful fusion of music with Napa Valley’s culinary scene.
The food options, stationed throughout the festival grounds, ranged from vegan to barbecue and included local favorites Stateline Road Smokehouse and the popular Chef D By The Bay, serving fish and oysters. Bars offered cocktails featuring wine and spirits from Mary J. Blige's Sun Goddess wine, Highway Vodka, Tres Generaciones, D’ussé Cognac, Tanduay Rum, and Monster Energy. Open-air roadsters Slingshot and Defender were on hand, offering demo rides and selfie backdrops, while Tesla vehicles transported guests between the parking grounds.
Sharing the stage at the Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa, July 28, 2023, Napa, Calif. L to r., kneeling: Phillip Bailey, Chris Daves, Baby Rose, Lalah Hathaway and Isaiah Sharkey. Second row: Frederic Yonnet, Bilal, Chante Moore, Rakim, PJ Morton, Derrick Hodges, DJ Maseo, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Corey Henry,Taylor McFerrin, (Yellow Dress). Back row: Amir Sulaiman, BJ the Chicago Kid, Talib Kweli, Dave Chappelle, Robert Glasper, Chance, Affion Crockett, Vic Mensa, DJ Jahi Sundance, Hannibal Buress, Nicolas Payton, Keyon Harrold, J. Ivey and more. (Photo courtesy Blue Note Jazz Festival/Mathieu Bitton)
The Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa concluded without a hitch and exceeded expectations, delivering an unparalleled celebration of music and culture and cementing its reputation as a must-attend event for music, food, and wine enthusiasts. The festival's fusion of jazz, soul, and hip hop brought together a diverse audience and demonstrated the unifying power of music.
“My God, how do you close a show this great? My God, what did we all see here today?” said Chappelle. “Shout out to Blue Note. Thank you for gathering with me with some of my closest friends and greatest artists of all time.”
