Blue Note Jazz Fest: Bela, Soulive, Bootsy, Mos Def, McCoy

2012 BLUE NOTE JAZZ FESTIVAL ANNOUNCED
JUNE 10 – 30, NEW YORK CITY

After an extraordinarily successful debut, the Blue Note Jazz Festival will return, June 10-30, with over 50 performances at venues throughout New York City. Ticket information and a complete schedule of events are available on the official website, www.BlueNoteJazzFestival.com.

This year’s festival pays tribute to the masters of jazz while highlighting a diverse soundscape of jazz-rich genres. The wide array of artists includes jazz masters McCoy Tyner, Roy Haynes and Jack DeJohnette; international acts Buika, Bela Fleck, Michel Camilo and The Flamenco Soul Project directed by Javier Limon; vocal sensations Kathleen Battle, Cassandra Wilson and Jimmy Scott; R&B/Funk/Soul legends Stephanie Mills, Bootsy Collins and The Commodores; and jazz-tinged mainstream and hip-hop artists Soulive, Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def), Questlove, Black Thought and Rahzel, Soul Rebels and Groove Theory.

In addition to a special series of shows at the Blue Note Jazz Club, the 2012 Blue Note Jazz Festival will host performances at The Highline Ballroom, B.B. King Blues Club, Central Park Summerstage, The Apollo Theater, Henry Street Playhouse at the Abrons Arts Center, Brooklyn Bowl and Sullivan Hall.

“After the success of the inaugural Blue Note Jazz Festival, we decided to make this a yearly event as a way to continue expanding audiences, cultivate young talent and promote this wonderful music throughout New York City,” Blue Note President Steven Bensusan said.