Silver Spring Jazz Festival

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Great performances.

I accidentally came upon this Saturday night. It will be marked on my yearly calendar from now on. Can you say awesome! I loved the music, food, vendors and diversity. This year Sergio Mendes was there and he is incredible! When it comes to Brazilian music, he is the only name that I know and he didn’t disappoint. I just wish I had known about this sooner so that I could have come early. Free cultural events like this is why I absolutely adore downtown Silver Spring.

Wow, even in the rain, the show must go on! Sergio Mendes was awesome!!! I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to see such a legendary artist. Silver Spring really outdid itself. I am so honored to live in this community that cares for the arts and brings such wonder talent and programming to our area. I haven’t had that much fun in a long time. Thanks Silver Spring Jazz Festival!!!

One of many excellent annual events that make Downtown Silver Spring the cultural gem it is. A must.

Where else can you spend the day and into the evening with the likes of Janine Gilbert-​Carter the Rumba Club, Choteeth Afrofunk Band, Marcus Johnson and last but certainly not least Aaron Neville? Downtown Silver Spring that’s where and the organization that brought to you… The Silver Spring Jazz Festival that’s who. Wife and I spent the entire evening with these jazz greats and to top it all off it was a totally free entertainment jazzy wonderland. That’s right totally free well except for the vendors got some money from me in the exchange for food but that’s it. The organizers of this event really pulled out all the stops to make this a most memorable occasion this being their 7^th one now.
This location is much better than the parking lot a couple of years ago when wife and I went. This year and hopefully from now on it is located right at the new Veterans Plaza that’s with short walking distance from the City Place mall and it’s numerous parking garage or for those of you who like to ride metro you are within a good walking distance from the Silver Spring Metro and buses or shuttles and taxi’s are floating around constantly so there is no excuss not to be able to make based on transportation. Plenty of stores and restaurants all around allows you to go down and spend the day listening to great music and do the shop till you drop thing if that’s your bag.
The day started off with a Jazz ensemble competition on a second stage located adjacent to the plaza area on Fenton Street at 3:30 which was nice checking out up and coming talent but the heavy weights were blasting away by 4pm I was blown away by the very large ensemble of Chopteeth Afrofunk I buying their music even as I speak or uh write this. Wife was surprised that many of the songs that she has been hearing on the radio was infact sung by non other than Aaron Neville. She knows the voice but name never made to her country of origin, but now she knows. BTW Mr. Neville performed well after the 10:30 end of show time so I only expected a few songs from him but we ended up with an entire full length concert from him, what a true professional talent.
Overall this has been the best jazz festival to date and just a thrill to be there under the sun and stars to enjoy this wonderful out door musical nirvana. I only hope that next years festival will have equally beautiful weather and equally wonderful talent. I know I’ll be there hope to see some fellow Unilocalers there next year.