Grace Jones Headlines Blue Note Festival

The Blue Note Jazz Festival in Napa is presented as the "Black Radio Experience," an event curated by Grammy-winner Robert Glasper that celebrates the breadth of Black music and culture. It's known for creating an immersive experience that includes not just music, but also food and wine within the Napa Valley setting. Headliner Grace Jones is a true musical icon whose influence extends far beyond her start in the '70s disco scene. Her pivotal early '80s albums, recorded with the legendary duo Sly & Robbie, created a groundbreaking fusion of reggae, new wave, and art-pop that continues to inspire artists today. Audiences can expect a visually stunning and theatrical performance, as Jones is renowned for her avant-garde costumes, on-stage costume changes, and commanding presence. Her live shows are often described as immersive art experiences, blending music with fashion and performance art. The lineup reflects the festival's genre-agnostic approach. It features artists like WILLOW, who has evolved from R&B to a pop-punk sound, and jazz-fusion bass legend Stanley Clarke, a founding member of Return to Forever and a multi-Grammy winner. Further diversifying the sound are The Soul Rebels, a New Orleans brass band known for high-energy shows and collaborations with hip-hop artists like Nas and G-Eazy. They are joined by Grammy-nominated rapper Rapsody, who has been praised for her lyrical skill and has worked with artists like Kendrick Lamar and Busta Rhymes. Rounding out the eclectic bill are Oakland-born R&B and soul singer Goapele and harpist Brandee Younger. Younger, a Grammy nominee herself, is known for bridging the worlds of jazz, classical, and hip-hop, and has collaborated with artists ranging from Ravi Coltrane to Common.