Past years have generally offered a combination of performers from the genre's considerable past, pop-jazz favorites and the occasional left-field pick (Ozomatli, anyone?), and this year's lineup is no exception.
Among the can't-miss picks for this year's fest should be young bassist/vocalist Esperanza Spalding, a tribute to the 50th anniversary of Miles Davis' “Kind of Blue" led by drummer Jimmy Cobb and second-day headliner Wayne Shorter, who, if he reprises the freewheeling explorations of his date at Disney Hall in January, should offer a welcome shift in mood and spirit from the gentle horror of soprano sax-smith Kenny G.
From outside the world of jazz, R&B house-on-fire Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings and King Sunny Ade's “juju music" should keep everyone from getting too settled into their seats up on the lawn.
Tickets for the shows go on sale this Saturday.
