Patti Austin Set to Highlight Rehoboth Beach Jazz Fest
2014 is the 25th Anniversary of the magical Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival. Each autumn, just as the beach area starts to cool down, the annual Jazz Fest heats things back up again. This year is no exception as the Fest brings big names like Patti Austin, and Boney James to town.
The Festival, having gained regional and national recognition for its diversity of performers and huge ticket sales will happen all over the area Oct. 16-19, with acts at three main stages: Cape Henlopen High School, Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, and at Epworth United Methodist Church.
This year’s 25th Anniversary event offers top-caliber talent all around, with headliners from out of town and local performers taking up residence in restaurants and entertainment venues throughout Rehoboth, Dewey, and Lewes.
In addition to headliners Boney James, and Patti Austin, big names like Nick Colionne, Brian Culbertson, Marc Antoine, and Gerald Albright will be in town to perform.
Following a welcome party Wednesday night at the Rusty Rudder in Dewey, Boney James opens the weekend on Thursday, October 16 at 8 p.m. with a concert at Cape Henlopen High School.
On Friday night at the Convention Center, Ledisi with Rick Brown is on hand, and on Saturday at 1 p.m., at Cape Henlopen High School, Patti Austin performs.
According to organizers of the Jazz Fest, Patti Austin is a welcome alumni to our stages. Grammy winner Patti Austin crosses all musical genres, has made 17 solo albums, and has performed her award-nominated hit songs on the Grammys, and the Oscars. Sharing the stage will be Gerald Albright, one of the most respected, multi-dimensional and sought after saxophonists to straddle the fence of jazz and R&B.
On Saturday at noon at the Bandstand, the RB Jazz Fest Family concert takes place featuring the Cape Henlopen High School Jazz Band, the Sussex County High School Jazz Band, and The Eddie Sherman Show.
On Saturday and Sunday of the Fest, Jeremy Fox will conduct the premiere of his People’s Jazz Mass at All Saints Church on Olive Ave. in Rehoboth. The Episcopal Jazz Mass (written for jazz trio and choir) was commissioned by All Saint’s Church and St. George’s Chapel in Rehoboth Beach. It will be sung by the combined choir from the parishes as well as by Hood College Choir from Fredericksburg, Maryland.
Over the course of the weekend, as the headliners sell out the big venues, local performers take the microphones at venues like The Blue Moon, the Pond, Rehoboth Ale House, MIXX, Mariachi, Purple Parrot and so many more. It’s one great big party in downtown Rehoboth and Lewes.
Tickets may be purchased in-person beginning Wednesday, October 15. They can be purchased at the theatre at Cape Henlopen and the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center.