2024 Selby Ave JazzFest Lineup
Headliner Jamecia Bennett
Currently, This three-time GRAMMY Award winner lives in Minneapolis, When she is not gigging with her own band “J Movement ” She carries the torch of being the new featured lead vocalist of the original Grammy Award-Winning Sounds Of Blackness. After touring the world with the Sounds Of Blackness, Jamecia also received a solo contract from Mercury Records that resulted in receiving platinum and gold albums for her writing and performing songs on movie soundtracks such as Jason’s Lyric (in which she performed the song Rodeo Style on the platinum soundtrack), Kazaam (performed the song, The Best of Me), and Posse (performed the song, Women United).
In 2012 Ms. Bennett, along with the Sounds of Blackness, won an NAACP Image Award the same week she received a GRAMMY for the artist she produced and wrote on Le’Andria Johnson’s GRAMMY Award-winning Gospel Artist project.
Ms. Bennett has performed as a background vocalist for many of the greatest artists of all time including, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Janet Jackson, Rod Stewart, Lionel Richie, CeeLo, Prince, Jennifer Holiday, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, Usher, Johnny Gill, Ann Nesby, Shaggy, Paris Bennett, Mint Condition, Dennis Spears, Alexander O’Neal, Jonathan Butler and, Le’Andria Johnson, and James Grear & Company.
Jamecia hit the Billboard charts at #8 as a featured lead soloist with Dove and Stellar nominees James Grear and Company on the group’s Don’t Give UP CD. She also completed an album that was released in London and Germany. Most recent, Ms. Bennett released a new single, Man 4 Me, which was written with her team singer/songwriter Mike Decole and producer J Issac Moore and Robbie Rob!
Jamecia is also one of Twin Cities ones to watch on the actress scene, starring in lead roles and gracing the legendary stages in the Twin Cities and around the world. She has performed in such productions as The Color purple, Marie and Rosetta, RENT, Rocky Horror, Black Nativity, Detroit 67, 42 Street, CROWNS, Caroline or Change, Passing Strange, and The Love Jones Musical Tour. Ms. Bennett also performed in Tyler Perry’s Family Reunion, as well as his other famous stage show, I Can Do Bad All By Myself.
Ms. Bennett is the CEO of her company MINNESOTA MOVEMENT ENT, an artist’s development company that provides public relations, vocal coaching, management consultation, styling, and more.
L.A. BUCKNER & BiG HOMiE
Arthur “L.A.” Buckner‘s deep infatuation with music began at an early age. At age 3 he would practically go an entire church service without looking away from the drums. His father took notice and shortly thereafter purchased his first drum kit. He is a performing musician, teaching artist, and producer from the Northside of Minneapolis. He holds a master’s degree in Percussion Performance from McNally Smith College of Music. Currently, LA serves as co-host for the two-time Webby award-winning PBS music education YouTube series Sound Field.
In August 2020, L.A. took iTunes by storm with the release of his project BiG HOMiE, which reached the #1 Jazz position within 24 hours of its release.
Get ready to experience a historic blend of jazz, Gospel, hip hop and avant-funk. Buckner’s compositions soar and sway, blurring the line between Sunday church service and face-melting jam sessions. His artistry is full of energy, excitement, and culture.
BiG HOMiE is Ethan Yeshaya -Bass, David Feily-Guitar, Jovon Williams- sax, David Smith- keys.
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ASHLEY DUBOSE
Ashley DuBose is a recording artist and performer who is most widely known for her hit single, Intoxicated, and her compelling audition and performances on Season 5 of NBC’s The Voice in 2013. Just prior to that, she worked on her first independent, full-length album Somethin’ More, while juggling college and parenting her then two-year-old daughter.
The Minneapolis/St. Paul singer-songwriter/actress has been singing and writing music since the age of ten. Ashley’s lyrics speak about love, life, happiness, hopeless romanticism, faith, and hope. Some of Ashley’s influences include Rihanna, Beyonce, Lauren Hill and Erykah Badu.
CAPRI BIG BAND
Keeping up JazzFest’s two-plus decade tradition of presenting the Twin Cities best big bands, we’re very excited this year to feature The Capri Big Band. This famed group’s mission is to interject a positive role model in the community by encouraging and improving musical opportunities within Minneapolis. Under the direction of Faye Washington, this 26-piece group regularly performs throughout the Twin Cities as well as at the famed Historic Capri Theater in North Minneapolis.
WALKER|WEST MUSIC ACADEMY ALL-STARS
Combination of Walker|West Music Academy Faculty and Jazz Ensemble Students
A long-time JazzFest tradition, this group features upper-level students and faculty members from the famed St. Paul music academy. They’ll be performing a variety of songs including traditional and progressive jazz standards.
“Walker|West is such an integral part of the Selby neighborhood,” stated Fest Founder Mychael Wright. “As we have since our first JazzFest back in 2002, we feel it is important to give the future of jazz a welcoming place to perform.”
Selby Avenue Brass Band
A bit of NOLA in Minneapolis!
The Selby Avenue Brass Band brings a unique voice to the Minneapolis / St. Paul music scene. While their musical roots come from the streets of New Orleans, they expand from that genre into many others.
The group is led by Tom Wells, tubist, arranger & composer and music educator in the Twin Cities area. Tom’s compositions and arrangement fuel a band composed of enthusiastic and experienced musicians (including a couple of Grammy winners).
As they have for going on 22 years, the Selby Avenue Brass Band will kick off JF24 with a grand NOLA-style meander throughout the festival’s grounds. They know how to get things going with a little flair and style.
