Esperanza Spalding, photo courtesy Richmond Jazz Festival.
The seventh Richmond Jazz Festival promises to sate musical appetites with a star-studded gumbo of artists from a delicious mix of genres.
Jazz heavyweights Herbie Hancock (see our full Q&A), Freddy Cole, Ramsey Lewis and Esperanza Spalding (pictured above) are in good company among neo-soul/hip-hop superband The Roots and pop-rap star Wyclef Jean. Arrested Development (read our interview with frontman Speech) lends its soul-infused rap to the event, Tamia stirs in some R&B and hometown heroes Plunky & Oneness bring the funk.
After two free events on Aug. 11, there will be a show at the Hippodrome on Aug. 12 ($30). The main festival takes place Aug. 13 and 14 at Maymont; tickets are $85 for one day, or $160 for both days. jazzatmaymont.com.
