A Grammy-winning southern blues rocker will headline the Maitland Jazz and Blues Festival this weekend.
The festival will kick off at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2 at the city’s Independence Square, which is located at 1776 Independence Lane, and will showcase 13 bands on two stages, food, drinks, crafts, vendors and family activities.
Jimmy Hall, who topped the music charts with his band Wet Willie, will headline the show. Hall has a long list of performance credits to his name, having performed on stage with the likes of Blackberry Smoke, Jeff Beck, Joe Bonamassa, and the Allman Betts Band, among others. Hall has also been a vocalist and band leader for Hank Williams Jr. since the 1980s.
New York-based vocalist Lucy Yeghiazaryan will make a special appearance with the Jeff Rupert Quartet. They will share the stage with local singer Michelle Amato, who has performed and recorded with an incredibly diverse array of artists, including Liza Minnelli, Quincey Jones, Al Green, Sandi Patty, Jon Secada, Michael McDonald, Donna Summer, Jon Hendricks, Celia Cruz, Rita Marley, and world-renowned composer Yanni.
Grammy-nominated blues singer and harmonica player Rob Paparozzi will perform with the The UCF Flying Horse Big Band. Additionally, the Winter Park High School Jazz Band will showcase local school talent, joining veteran jazz artists The Dave Capp Project and Terry Myers and the Pirates.
Blues performers include the Jake and Elwood Blues Revue, CeCe Teneal, the Shuffle Tones, Three Forks Road, Beautiful Bobby Blackmon and the Beth McKee Band.
To learn more about the bands or the event, visit the Maitland Jazz and Blues Festival website. This event is presented by the Maitland Parks and Recreation Department.