Every year our beach communities host the Rehoboth and True Blue Jazz Festivals, featuring top name musicians and vocalists in a series of fun venues, including popular restaurants and bars, auditoriums and settings where you can enjoy lovely autumn temperatures along with the tunes. Click here for the full Rehoboth Jazz Festival Schedule https://www.rehobothjazz.com/index.php/schedule and here for the True Blue Jazz Festival. https://www.truebluejazz.org/festival/ Most of the events sell out very quickly, so you should act now to reserve your tickets.
While all of the events are top notch, some of us are more drawn to intimate settings where we can enjoy wonderful foods and drinks while we listen, while others are happy to be in auditorium and concert hall settings. So here’s a snapshot of what’s offered in each.
TOP RESTAURANTS AND BAR VENUES FOR THE REHOBOTH JAZZ FEST
Join Marion Meadows and Althea Rene for a saucy and sweet saxophone and flute performance at the Rusty Rudder in Dewey on Friday, October 17th at 8:30.
Enjoy Blake Aaron, dubbed “the genius on the guitar,” at the Cambria Hotel in Rehoboth on Friday at 10:30 p.m.
Spend a wonderful autumn afternoon out on the Rusty Rudder Deck with jazz and blues guitar compositions by Matt Marshak on Saturday October 18th at 1 p.m. and inspired blues from Club Phred along with Tom “Bones” Malone and “Blue Lou” Marini of Blues Brothers Horns fame at 2:30. You can then stick around the Rudder and head inside at 4 p.m. for powerhouse R & B from Lindsey Webster.
Also on October 18th, Naturally 7 will showcase their prodigious acapella magic with voiced renditions of drums, bass, guitars, horns, flutes and turntables in a repertoire ranging from gospel to rock to 17th Century Baroque (yes you read that right). It happens at 2 p.m. at The Cambria Hotel in Rehoboth.
At 6 p.m. on the 18th the Cambria Hotel will also host guitar virtuosos Stanley Jordan and Diego Figueiredo.
And if you’re a night owl and still in the mood to party take a break for dinner and head back to the Cambria for a jam session with Jeff Kashiwa, Matt Marshak, Althea Rene & Art Sherrod Jr. beginning at 10 p.m.
If you’re more of a day person you can also enjoy Sunday brunch at 11 a.m. at the Rudder with Althea Rene, Art Sherrod Jr., and Chris “Big Dog” Davis on October 19th
And even though it’s a “school night” you can cap your long jazzy weekend with a lavish closing party & buffet at the Rusty Rudder featuring Art Sherrod Jr., Blake Aaron, Jackiem Joyner, Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Oliver and Lori Williams beginning at 6:30 on Sunday October 19th.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM AUDITORIUM VENUES FOR THE REHOBOTH JAZZ FEST
If you loved jazz and dance music in the 80s you’ll be thrilled to spend time with Sheila E – the Queen of Percussion – at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center on Thursday, October 16th at 7:30 p.m.
On Friday, October 17th you can head back to the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center for feisty sax play by Eric Darius and vocals from Grammy-Award winner Avery Sunshine at 8 p.m.
Also on Friday, October 17th at 9:30 p.m. the Cape Henlopen Performing Arts Center will host Tower of Power for a night of soul, funk, jazz and rock.
Head back to the Cape Henlopen Performing Arts Center at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 18th for jazz, R&B, funk, pop, blues and more from Pieces of a Dream and the Rehoboth Beach Sexy Saxes.
You can then walk or drive just a few blocks to Lewes Elementary School for adventurous contemporary jazz from Vincent Ingala at 3 p.m., and back to Cape Henlopen Performing Arts Center for a 7:30 performance by the Rehoboth Beach All-Stars. Featuring Brian Simpson, Vincent Ingala, Jessy J, Kim Waters, Lindsey Webster and Peter White.
If you’re sticking around Rehoboth on Saturday, October 18th, spend time at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center with Jazz Attack, featuring Rick Braun, Peter White and Richard Elliot beginning at 4 p.m. and preeminent jazz headliners Kirk Whalum and Lee Ritenour at 9 p.m.
Rick Braun will also bring his deft and versatile skills with multiple instruments to Lewes Elementary School at 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 18th and will be joined by the very talented Andrew Neu.
And if you’re still ready to rock on Sunday, October 19th , head back to the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center at 3:30 p.m. for the 36th Annual Grand Jam with Brian Simpson, Blake Aaron, Rick Braun, Alex Bugnon, Chris “Big Dog” Davis, Vincent Ingala, Jessy J, Jeff Kashiwa, Matt Marshak, Steve Oliver, Lindsey Webster, Peter White, Lore Williams and Jackiem Joyner.
FREE BONUS AT THE HISTORIC LEWES FARMERS MARKET
Lewes locals love the Farmers Markets that take place from May through October, and on Saturday, October 18th at 10 a.m. they’ll be treated to a free performance by Reggie Harris, featuring his unique and powerful medley of instrumentals, vocals and storytelling.
TRUE BLUE JAZZ FESTIVAL EVENTS AT NASSAU VALLEY VINEYARDS AND THE BOARDWALK PLAZA HOTEL
Nassau Valley Vineyards will again host wonderful True Blue Jazz events, with blues, funk and gospel from the Thad Wilson Big Band from 8 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, October 17th, and Wycliffe Gordon & Septet from 8 to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 18th.
With ocean views and great food for pre-event dinners, the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth will host renowned guitarist Brian Betz and innovative vibraphonist Behn Gillece on Thursday, October 16th at 7 p.m.
Come back to the Boardwalk Plaza on Friday, October 17th at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. for the Jerry Weldon Trio, and on Saturday, October 18th for jazz piano and lush vocals from Joe Block and Georgia Heers at 7 p.m.
And for a wonderful food AND jazzfest, indulge in the Closing Brunch Bash at the Boardwalk Plaza on Sunday, October 19th at 1 p.m. This is a premier event featuring Eddie Sherman & Peggy Raley alongside George Caldwell, Eddie Allen and Paul Carr.
