On April 30, the Los Angeles Jazz Festival announced its initial lineup of performers for its inaugural event, including John Legend, Janelle Monáe and Parliament-Funkadelic featuring George Clinton.
Organizers said the performances will be part of the “Jazz on the Beach” closing weekend Aug. 22-23 at Dockweiler Beach. Additional artists scheduled to appear include Raphael Saadiq, Charlie Wilson, Joey Alexander, Big Freedia, Ezra Collective, Nubya Garcia, Original Koffee, Poncho Sanchez, Pedrito Martinez, Alfredo Rodriguez and Justin-Lee Schultz, with more performers to be announced in the coming weeks.
The festival is planned as a 17-day event spanning multiple locations across Los Angeles, with organizers aiming to attract hundreds of thousands of attendees and showcase artists from more than a dozen countries.
Opening night is scheduled for Aug. 7 in Leimert Park and will feature performances by Lalah Hathaway and Chief Adjuah, along with additional acts yet to be announced. Other planned events include a Caribbean street carnival in Venice, a series of free concerts in parks across Los Angeles County, and late-night performances at clubs and community venues citywide.
“From the Motherland and through the pain of oppression came the fierce improvisation, the very heartbeat, born in New Orleans that now shapes every musical genre across the globe,” LA Jazz Festival Founder and CEO Martin Ludlow said in a statement.
Organizers said the festival will emphasize cultural diversity and the global influence of jazz, while also promoting community engagement and environmental sustainability. Tickets for the beach concerts are on sale at http://lajazzfestival.com/.