Selby Ave JazzFest is back with another year of exciting musical acts. Founder Mychael Wright recently announced the performing artist lineup, presented by Golden Thyme Coffee Café and AARP Minnesota.
“2022 marks JazzFest’s 21st anniversary,” stated Wright. “With the great performances, weather, and overall vibe, last year’s event was one of our best! We’re hoping to capture the same feeling that comes from folks engaging and being part of a community again this September.”
The 21st annual Selby Ave JazzFest will take place from 11 am to 7:30 pm on Saturday, September 10 at the intersection of Selby and Milton in St. Paul.
Besides a free day of performing artists, JazzFest also features a variety of great food vendors, family activities, and live artist demonstrations. “We’re working hard to make sure there’s plenty to do for folks to make a full day of it,” added Wright.
Wright commented on the selections for this year’s line-up: “We have a lot going on, that’s for sure. From NOLA, traditional jazz, and a few globally-inspired acts, there will be something for everyone.”
Performing on the US Bank Main Stage, The 2022 Selby Ave JazzFest lineup will feature:
- Lynval Jackson and the International Reggae All-Stars (Headliner): No stranger to the Twin Cities music scene, Lynval “Golden Voice” Jackson and The International Reggae All-Stars have been wowing audiences for nearly 30 years. Born in Jamaica, Lynval moved to Minnesota in 1987 and quickly fell in love with the Twin Cities’ vibrant reggae music scene that featured such legendary groups as Ipso Facto and Shangoya. He is also the host of the long-running radio show “Caribbean Jam” on KFAI Radio. “We are honored to have such a regional music legend headline this year’s JazzFest,” stated Wright. “As we begin fall, I’m hoping he and his group’s Jamaican vibes will add a little tropical breeze to the day’s forecast.”
- The Erica West Band: This ensemble boasts a spectacular group of versatile and talented Twin Cities musicians and features a musical style that infuses R&B, jazz, blues, neosoul and pop together to create a uniquely sophisticated, sexy, and yet fun vibe! Lead vocalist Erica West brings a beautiful, sultry and powerful style that is influenced by many great female vocalists including Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Nina Simone.
- World Jazz Collegium: World Jazz Collegium is an assembly of local and international musicians founded by the Twin Cities-based guitarist and composer Pavel Jany. Pavel’s diversity and eclecticism in his guitar playing and composing has no boundaries, and his long musical journey encompasses many various styles. In addition to Pavel Jany’s original material, World Jazz Collegium’s repertoire includes works by Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, Billy Cobham, Chick Corea, Jan Hammer, Hermeto Pascoal, Djavan, Miles Davis, and other legends of modern jazz.
- The Minnesota State Band: The Official Band of the State of Minnesota, this organization has been in existence for over 120 years (since 1898) and is the only remaining state band in the United States. Since 1986, the band has represented the state of Minnesota on six international goodwill tours. While international travel is important, the band sees its primary mission as providing high-quality music to the residents of Minnesota. “JazzFest history will show something captivating takes place when a group of 60+ musicians takes the stage,” stated Wright. “This big band performed at our event a few years ago and did a wonderful job. The audience loved them.”
- Walker|West Music Academy All-Stars: This group will feature upper-level students and staff from this famed music academy performing a variety of songs including traditional and progressive jazz standards. “It has been a personal goal of mine to give the genre’s future a place to play since day one,” added Wright. “Braxton Haulcy and all the folks at Walker West continue to do such a great job with the kids and they’re such a vital part of our community.”
- The Selby Ave Brass Band: A JazzFest tradition, this group of local musicians will again kick off the Fest with a traditional New Orleans procession. The group is led by Selby Avenue resident, tubist, composer, and retired music educator Tom Wells and features a number of great musicians from throughout the Twin Cities.
For more information, visit the event’s website at selbyavejazzfest.com or Facebook page.
Source: Selby Ave JazzFest