3RD ANNUAL LIBERTY R&B and JAZZ FESTIVAL

[Lois Gilbert]

3rd ANNUAL LIBERTY R&B and JAZZ FESTIVAL GETS SOME R-E-S-P-E-C-T ARETHA FRANKLIN HEADS WORLD-CLASS LINEUP SEPTEMBER 13-14, 2008
JERSEY CITY, NJ --- While the Liberty R&B and Jazz Festival has been a success from its inception two years ago, there is no doubt this year's event has gained respect.


That's R-E-S-P-E-C-T as in the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, who will be headlining the two-day music festival along with Erykah Badu September 13-14, 2008 in Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ.


The Star-Ledger/KISS-FM Liberty R&B and Jazz Festival once again features a world-class lineup of more than a dozen performers in Liberty State Park's Green Ring with the breathtaking Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as backdrops. Grammy award winners Erykah Badu and Kool & the Gang featuring Jersey City's own Robert “Kool" Bell and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The O'Jays are among the stars who will be performing in one of the most beautiful concert settings in the world.

“We set out to create a Festival which would become a destination for people to attend every year and the music world realizes that we've succeeded," said Kent Coules of Everything Jersey Events, who is producing the Festival for The Star-Ledger along with Howard Freeman of Promo 1. “Our partnership with KISS-FM allows us to offer fans the best artists around and Liberty State Park offers us the most unique concert venue of its kind. There is no other place where you can get this experience."

“What could be more fitting than having Aretha Franklin, the first lady of soul and pop music, playing in front of Lady Liberty," said Freeman. “As thousands of jazz and music lovers have found in each of our first two years, this is the place to be to enjoy an outdoor concert featuring some of the most talented artists in the world."

Rhythm-and-blues was a natural transition for the growing festival.

“R&B has a wide appeal and compliments jazz," said Coules. “When CD101.9 changed formats, this was a great fit for its sister station, 98.7 KISS-FM."

“There was feedback from attendees and sponsors for a cross-over with R&B," added Freeman. “We're experimenting as we grow and we're always looking for opportunities to meet the needs of our attendees."

Franklin, the acclaimed international recording star with 20 Grammy awards including two for Lifetime Achievement and the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, heads the list of artists scheduled to perform on Saturday, Sept. 13 between 12:00 noon-10:00 p.m. Joining her will be three-time Grammy and American Music Award winner Erykah Badu, adult contemporary singer-musician Kem, dynamic soul singer Leela James, acclaimed stylist-songwriter Bobby Caldwell, and saxophonist Euge Groove.

The legendary O'Jays ("Love Train"), Kool & The Gang ("Celebration"), instrumentalist Brian Culbertson, well-respected jazz -R&B artist Roy Ayers, and Grammy nominated guitarist Gil Parris are among the artists scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 14 between 12:00 noon and 8:00 p.m. Parris, a Westchester, NY resident, is the only performer to play in each of the Festival's three years.

Festival attendees can bring their own blankets and chairs for lawn seating or can purchase Club Liberty reserved premium seating near the stage with access to a VIP tent with separate food service and restroom availability. Tickets can be purchased for single or two-day admission and range from $59.50-$125.00 per day. VIP seating is on a first come basis. Special advance ticket buying options are also available at 1-888-556-JAZZ (5299) or at our website.

In addition to the music, there will be a variety of unique arts vendors, crafters, and eco-friendly exhibitors at the Festival, which is located off exits 14B/C of the New Jersey Turnpike. Parking is convenient with additional shuttle bus service availability. A portion of the proceeds from the Liberty R&B and Jazz Festival will benefit the Friends of Liberty State Park, an all-volunteer organization whose mission is to protect, beautify and promote the 1,122 acre Park. The Festival is presented by The Star-Ledger and KISS FM and is sponsored by State Farm, Toyota, New Jersey Travel & Tourism, WIBO, Extra Supermarkets, Jacob Fuchsberg law firm, and the NJ Sharing Network.


WHAT:
3RD ANNUAL LIBERTY R&B and JAZZ FESTIVAL
Saturday, Sept. 13 - Erykah Badu, Aretha Franklin, Kem, Leela James, Bobby Caldwell, Euge Groove
Sunday, Sept. 14 - Kool & the Gang, the O'Jays, Roy Ayers, Brian Culbertson, Gil Parris

schedule and performers subject to change

WHERE:
Liberty State Park
Jersey City, NJ
Exit 14B/C New Jersey Turnpike
1-888-556-JAZZ

WHEN:
Saturday, Sept. 13, 12:00 noon-10:00 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 14, 12:00 noon-8:00 p.m.

TICKETS/INFO/DIRECTIONS:
Adults: $59.50-$125 per day
Children (age 4-12): starting at $25 per day
Children age 3 and under: FREE

1-888-556-JAZZ (5299)

[hornplayer]

That's quite an impressive lineup, but I don't see any Jazz artists on it.

I always wonder why producers (or who?) think they have to tack "Jazz" onto festival names when there really aren't going to be any Jazz artists present.

In this case, seems to me Aretha is enough of a draw, all by herself.

[Ron Thorne]

I'm with you, June. It's annoying, and sets a less-than-honest standard for such events.

Call it what it is . . . an R&B Festival.