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John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival Fourteenth Year
Labor Day weekend marked the kickoff of the fourteenth annual John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival in High Point, NC. The weather was picture perfect, with bright sunshine and comfortable temperatures. Returning to host the festival were Renee Vaughn of Hot 97 and the nationally acclaimed Dyana Williams, bringing their signature energy and charm to the stage. Jazz lovers gathered to experience the Withers to Wonder celebration, honoring the timeless music of Bill Withers and Stevie Wonder. The tribute featured the extraordinary voices of Take 6, Nnenna Freelon, and Clint Holmes. The American jazz fusion band The HeadHunters did not disappoint. Original members Bill Summers, and Mike Clark have remained and now include Donald Harrison, Chris Severin, and Kyle Roussel.
Snarky Puppy arrived in town a day early to host a master class at the High Point Theatre. The two-hour session, open to both musicians and music enthusiasts, gave the community a chance to learn from the acclaimed ensemble. By the time the band hit the stage on Saturday night as the festival's headliner, the audience was already deeply connected to their artistry. American vocalists Lizz Wright and Meshell Ndegeocello, accompanied by their respective bands, delivered captivating performances. The festival opened with the John Coltrane Youth Jazz Workshop, a showcase of the young musicians' growth and dedication over the past year. The workshop, led by saxophonist Titus Gant— founder of the Gant School of Music and Jazz—was a highlight that set the tone for the weekend.
As always, the audience-filled with jazz and blues lovers left inspired and uplifted by the music, celebrating both tradition and innovation in the spirit of John Coltrane.
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