Friday 10 to Sunday 12 July 2020, Moseley Park, Birmingham
Neneh Cherry, Lianne La Havas, The Wailers, The Fatback Band, Maribou State DJ Set, Nightmares On Wax (Live), Craig Charles, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, and more
Final release tickets on sale at 9am, 19 March via
www.mostlyjazz.co.uk
Covid-19 strategy announced to ensure delivery of event in 2020
(either in July or later in the summer)
One of the parties of the summer, the Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul festival returns to Birmingham’s intimate Moseley Park across Friday 10 to Sunday 12 July 2020.
Set in one of the UK’s most beautiful festival sites, the family-friendly Mostly Jazz, Funk and Soul experience continues to set the benchmark. Throughout its history, the festival has drawn scintillating artists from all corners of the world to the Midlands in a vibrant celebration of all things jazz, funk and soul, establishing itself as one of the UK’s most inspiring and sublime city-set weekends of music.
The festival is now incredibly proud to announce who is joining in the weekend fun this summer, across three intimate spaces: The Main Stage, Lunar Stage and Off Piste.
Friday 10 July 2020
Friday is the start of something magical at Mostly Jazz, with a wildly international bill. The Swedish singer, rapper and bold 80s icon Neneh Cherry headlines the festival, kicking off the first day. This year her incredible debut album, Raw Like Sushi, is re-released to mark its 30th anniversary, and this is a unique chance to catch Neneh in such an intimate setting.
And speaking of strong and inspiring females, Lianne La Havas cites Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott and Mary J. Blige as inspirations; her scorching voice is truly something special to behold. The Bittersweet singer co-headlines the Friday night.
Along with Massive Attack’s Blue Lines, Portishead’s Dummy and Tricky’s Maxinquaye, 1995’s Smoker’s Delight, by Nightmares On Wax, was one of a handful of records to define a generation. Performing live with a string section, Nightmares On Wax bring their seminal second album to life on the main stage.
Next up are two Birmingham prominent artists, both destined for great things: Kofi Stone is the wordsmith with a deep appreciation for the golden age hip hop, while Lady Sanity blends grime, ’90s hip-hop and jazz influences.
Also appearing on Friday’s bill are DJ Format, Boca 45 and Theo (live).
Saturday 11 July 2020
The middle day of Mostly Jazz is chock full of America’s aural richness. The Fatback Band is one of the most acclaimed disco, soul and funk groups to have ever emerged from the US. Their huge back catalogue includes I Found Lovin’ and Do The Bus Stop.
And keeping the across-the-pond love, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble are an eight-strong cohort of horn-playing brothers (plus one unrelated drummer) who take their stylistic cues from jazz, funk and hip-hop to create a wild ride.
Craig Charles is the funk and soul icon who never fails to have crowds bouncing returns as curator, compere and to DJ too.
Also joining the bill are the Jay Z-sampled Hannah Williams and The Affirmations, the current darlings of the worldwide soul scene; sublime experimental and self-taught singer Andreya Triana; and Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, weave tantalizing grooves and lush sounds into vibrant jam sessions.
Further artists and DJs include Alexander Nut, Steve Cobby (DJ Set – 30 years of Fila Brazillia), Toucan, Ebi Soda, Freedom 35s, Sam Redmore & The Tropical Soundclash Allstars, The Little Easy Band, Matt Beck B2B Adam Regan (Leftfoot) and Voyage DJs.
Sunday 12 July 2020
Seeing out the festival on Sunday are the legendary The Wailers. Led by renowned bassist and founder Aston ‘Familyman’ Barrett, and joined by original Wailers guitarist Donald Kinsey, The Wailers are one of reggae music’s most unique and ground-breaking innovators.
Known for their mellow and lush productions, the duo composed of Chris Davids and Liam Ivory have crafted a unique space in electronic music; as Maribou State DJ Set they will deliver an eclectic masterclass.
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas were one of the most successful Motown groups of the 1960’s, with such enduring hits as Nowhere to Run, Heatwave and Dancing in the Street.
Kokoroko’s Afrobeat band achieve a perfect blend of West African rhythms and inspired improvisation, whilst Pat Thomas & The Kwashibu Area Band are modern-day leaders of Ghanaian highlife music.
The legendary Norman Jay MBE (DJ Set) also touches down, along with support from Kenneth Whalum, Sam Redmore (DJ Set), Selextorhood (DJ Set), DJUJU, Julie Dexter, Joybang, Alica Gardener Trejo and the Jazzlines Ensemble.
- The final release of tickets will go on sale on Thursday 19 March at 9am via: www.mostlyjazz.co.uk
Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul has also confronted the Covid-19 outbreak with a refreshingly open, positive and head-on approach. A festival spokesperson said: “We’re continually monitoring the evolving situation and following guidance from Public Health England and the World Health Organisation for the well-being of our staff and attendees.”
As it stands the festival is continuing with its July date until otherwise instructed. The present consensus is the situation will have passed by mid-July. However, in the unlikely event of a postponement due to Covid-19, the organisers have secured a date to reschedule later in the summer. To reiterate: Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul will be happening this summer.
Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul is produced by the team behind Moseley Folk and Arts Festival, and Lunar Festival. 2019’s Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul saw The Jacksons, Burt Bacharach, Brand New Heavies, Craig Charles, Ibibio Sound Machine, Brian Jackson, plus many more, on the bill.
LISTINGS:
Friday 10 July to Sunday 12 July 2020
Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul 2020
Moseley Park, 93b Alcester Road, Birmingham B13 8DD
Friday 10 July 2020
Neneh Cherry
Lianne La Havas
Nightmares On Wax (Live with strings, perform Smokers Delight)
Kofi Stone
Lady Sanity
Saturday 11 July 2020
The Fatback Band
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
Craig Charles
Hannah Williams and The Affirmations
Sunday 12 July 2020
The Wailers
Maribou State DJ Set
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
Kokoroko
Pat Thomas & The Kwashibu Area
Norman Jay MBE (DJ set)
Tickets:
Adults: Weekend – £125; Two Days – £92; One Day – £52; Family – £260
Aged under 16: Weekend – £60; One Day – £25; Two Days – £42
Children aged 11 and under go FREE
www.mostlyjazz.co.uk
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Line-up:
Neneh Cherry, Lianne La Havas, The Wailers, The Fatback Band, Maribou State DJ Set, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Nightmares On Wax (Live W/String Section), Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Kokoroko, Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band, Craig Charles, Norman Jay, Hannah Williams & The Affirmations, Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, Andreya Triana, DJ Format, Boca 45, Kenneth Whalum, Alexander Nut, Kofi Stone, Theo, Lady Sanity, Steve Cobby (DJ Set – 30 years of Fila Brazillia), Toucan, The Plimp Souls, Sam Redmore & The Tropical Soundclash Allstars, Freedom 35s, Ebi Soda, Matt Beck B2B Adam Regan, Call Me Unique, The Little Easy Band, Voyage (DJs), Julie Dexter, Alicia Gardener Trejo, Selextorhood (DJs), Joybang, DJUJU, Jazzlines Ensemble.
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