New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
One of the most popular Spring events, the annual New Bedford Jazzfest, is quickly becoming a city tradition. The event, in its short 3 year history has become immensely popular because of the world-class musical talent, mouth-watering food, and quality vendors. If you are a fan of music, food and fun (in other words everyone ) then the Jazzfest is must-attend festival!
Taking place in the New Bedford Seaport Cultural District, NBJF showcases the best of the regional and the national jazz scene and provides exposure and financial support towards Your Theatre, Inc.(YTI), New Bedford’s 68-year-old community theatre. NBJF believes that fostering music education and musical experience in youth is vital to the longevity of the art form and this year’s sponsors which include Whaling City Sound and UMass Dartmouth make it all possible.
The festival is a fantastic opportunity for not just jazz listeners, but for anyone that enjoys the atmosphere that a live music concert provides. When coupled with the food trucks, arts, crafts vendors and more, it becomes a safe, fun, and culturally rich environment for the whole family.
The Musical Talent
At the heart of downtown New Bedford is the Seaport Cultural District and the working waterfront. Pier 3, adjacent to the Martha’s Vineyard Ferry Terminal on MacArthur Drive, will serve as the location for the 1500 person main tent, ensuring that, rain or shine, the event will be scenic, comfortable and dry.
The main stage will showcase local, regional, national and even international talent – much of which is provided by one of the main sponsors and producers of the event, New Bedford based music label, Whaling City Sound. WCS has had three new albums in the top ten of the National jazz charts in the last two years and their newest release, Kind of New, by Jason Miles will be the headline act this year.
Here are just some of the act that you will encounter during the day’s show:
- The Nina Ott Group: bringing lively Latin/Afro-Cuban Jazz to the stage, this ultra talented group have been Berklee College of music instructors, playing, teaching and recording around the country and are now bringing their diverse talent to the south coast.
- The Candida Rose: is a Cape Verdean vocal powerhouse, leading an all female cast of musicians through classic tunes and world music. She will also be singing her “KabuJazz” with the Women in World Jazz group.
- Jason Miles: Headlining will be Whaling City Sound recording artist Jason Miles who just came back from the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in Africa in support of his new album which is already on the most requested list for national radio. We anticipate that Kind of New will top the jazz charts at No.1 within the next few months. Working as a keyboardist, arranger and producer, Miles has worked in a multitude of genres and performed at festivals and stages around the world including the Monterey Jazz Festival, Tokyo Blue Note, and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in Africa.
- The Southcoast Jazz Orchestra: The orchestra has become the “house band” as they are returning for their fourth consecutive year bringing the big and classic sounds of a 17-piece band to our festival.
- UMass Dartmouth College of Visual and Performing Arts: jazz groups who will perform on the Second Stage, including Native Spaces.
Bar, beer, food, crafts and the Artists’ Colony!
A full cash bar, featuring local breweries, and a trio of gourmet food trucks will help create a great ‘festival feel’. Our partnership with the New Bedford Art Museum/Artworks! brings back The Artists’ Colony: a craft market for the thriving local and regional arts and craft scene.
Placed adjacent to the Main Tent and the food area, The Artists’ Colony presents handmade crafts and orignal artwork representing a variety of styles and mediums that is reflective of the region’s vibrant arts scene. Of course, CDs and Jazzfest t-shirts will also be avaialble for purchase.
Fantastic music, delicious food, refreshing libations, and the unique atmosphere of New Bedford’s historic waterfront will combine to provide a singular experience during the fourth annual New Bedford JazzFest. Find out why the event has skyrocketed into popularity – you certainly don’t have to have a love for jazz to enjoy the festival. In fact, chances are, after attending one event, you may leave as a new fan!
Tickets, $20 in advance (Purchase: http://yourtheatre.org/yti/index.php?page=jazz4), may be ordered through the Your Theatre box office at 508-993-0772, online at NewBedfordJazzfest.com, or at the Symphony Music Shop, State Road in North Dartmouth. Tickets at the gate are $25. Children 15 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Through cooperation with the city, NBJF is able to provide free parking on the adjacent State Pier and at Elm St. Garage which is within three blocks of Pier 3.
