The Washington Square Park Foundation for the Arts will a put on new bi-weekly music festival series that explores the legacy of legendary artists. It will be free and open and to the public.
The events will take place from 3pm to 7pm in the Marigny’s Washington Square Park, which is nestled between Frenchmen Street and Elysian Fields. Each edition will feature performances by multiple acts before culminating with the headlining tribute set.
Dubbed the Washington Square Park Music Festival, the first edition of the series will take place on Tuesday, March 21 with a tribute to Ray Charles featuring piano impresario Davell Crawford. A second edition will find vocal powerhouse Chris Walker honoring Al Jarreau on Tuesday, April 4.
“Ray Charles has had a profound influence on my life and musical career, he is the bridge between gospel, the blues and R&B.” said Crawford, grandson of Sugar Boy Crawford, the 1950’s R&B star who had a big hit record with “Jockamo” “My grandmother took me to see Ray Charles at the Saenger Theatre when I was just a child and paying tribute to Ray Charles is like paying a tribute to family.”
Both Crawford and Jarreau will be backed by the newly-formed NOLA Big Band when they take the stage. The group features a rhythm section of drummer Herlin Riley, bassist Chris Severin and keyboardist Davell Crawford, who will be accompanied by a rotating cast of musicians depending on the circumstances. For instance, the Ray Charles tribute will include Detroit Brooks, Roger Lewis, Khari Lee, Roderick Paulin, Glen Hall and many more.
As of now, the tributes to Ray Charles and Al Jarreau are the only scheduled editions of the Washington Square Park Music Festival. However, organizers hope to add more events this year and expand the project to a full season in 2018. The idea is to pay tribute to a different artist with each festival.
“The Washington Square Park Music Festival celebrates the musical genius of Ray Charles and Al Jarreau and provides world-class musicians an opportunity to explore and interpret the music of these legends,” says event producer Matt Dillon. Adding “We are also excited to return the festival experience to a neighborhood park where locals, students, families and visitors could gather, bring a blanket and enjoy great music.”
Much like the Wednesday at the Square and Jazz in the Park series, the Washington Square Park Festival will be a family-friendly gathering that showcase local food, beverages and crafts. More information on the event can be found via it’s website.
Washington Square Park Music Festival schedule:
Tuesday, March 21, 2017 Tribute
3:00 pm – 3:50 pm – Ole Man River Band featuring Sherman Bernard
4:00 pm – 4:50 pm – Treme Brass Band
4:50 pm – 5:15 pm – DJ Slick Leo
5:15 pm – 5:30 pm – NOLA Big Band with Sleeping Giant
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm – NOLA Big Band with Davell Crawford (tribute to Ray Charles)
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
3:00 pm – 3:50 pm – Glen Hall Band
4:00 pm – 4:50 pm – Hot 8 Brass Band
4:50 pm – 5:30 pm – DJ Cap’t Charles
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm – NOLA Big Band with Chris Walker (tribute to Al Jarreau)
