John Legend will perform at the 2014 Winnipeg International Jazz Festival. (HANDOUT)
R&B superstar John Legend will be the main act at this year’s Winnipeg International Jazz Festival.
Legend will join Grammy Award-winning vocalist Gregory Porter and Cuban-born trumpeter Arturo Sandoval along with nearly 100 other performers June 12-22.
“Since this is our 25th anniversary, we definitely wanted our lineup to reflect our history. We achieved that with legends like Ellis Marsalis and Arturo Sandoval,” executive producer Paul Nolin said of some of the other acts booked. “At the same time — in the spirit of jazz and the festival itself — we’ve got a healthy dose of new, cutting edge artists as well.”
The packed jazz schedule also includes blues legend James Cotton, Canadian rapper Shad, Chicago’s Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and sonic trailblazer St. Vincent.
St. Vincent (HANDOUT)
Through a Theatre Series and Club Theatres, festival-goers will be able to experience their favourite musical acts at a number of different venues across Winnipeg. The festival is also holding Jazz For Lunch — a popular weekday lunch hour concert series with free entertainment in Old Market Square from June 13-20 with outstanding artists such as Son Latino Band, Jodie Borle, Laila Biali and others.
Opening weekend kicks off with four days of music in Old Market Square, where thousands of music fans will congregate to hear jazz and funk, Latin jazz, indie rock talent and a party on Sunday, June 15 with The Noble Thiefs and the always-popular Moses Mayes.
Laila Biali will perform Friday, June 20 at the Rachel Browne Theatre. (HANDOUT)
Individual tickets are advanced priced between $15 and $75.50. A one-day club wristband is $30 for a weekday or $35 for a weekend. A club pass is regularly $90, but will be sold at an early bid price of $80 until April 10. The all-inclusive super pass is $250, or $225 if purchased by April 10 and allows admission to every Theatre and Club Series concert.
Individual tickets go on sale Friday, April 11 at 10 a.m. Super and club passes, and tickets for St. Vincent are on sale now. Visit JazzWinnipeg.com for further details.
