A couple of weeks ago I spotlighted the Cape Gazette’s Fall Festivals Guide https://www.capegazette.com/article/fall-festivals-2023/262530, offering a comprehensive look at all kinds of music, arts and outdoor experiences during this spectacular time of year. I included a few details about the Rehoboth Jazz Festival https://www.rehobothjazz.com/ and the True Blue Jazz Festival https://www.truebluejazz.org/festival/, which happen concurrently and continue to be two favorite activities for locals and visitors alike.
I’m circling back on these events because I’m astounded at the array of talent coming to the beach for this year’s events and – equally important – because these events sell out very quickly. If you love music and appreciate soulful vocals, soft and rumbling beats and a touch of the avant-garde, I hope you’ll check out the master schedules and plan ahead for some wonderful experiences taking place at several different venues, including the Cape Henlopen Performing Arts Center, the Rusty Rudder, the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center and other locations in Rehoboth and Lewes.
Here are the performances that aren’t yet sold out. Act now if you want to see any of these marquis names.
REHOBOTH JAZZ – Thursday to Sunday, October 12 - 15
Rebecca Jade will bring lots of R & B love to her wide range of musical expressions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8MrEOyjXQA&list=RDEMS9mbarmEovNMdYyF68y0Qw&start_radio=1. alongside Eric Benet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0flpVMQOGg&list=RDEMQoxRWvEikphcsk2T4ZSDPA&start_radio=1 and Eric Darius https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BH8RgA1_Mc at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center at 8 p.m. on October 13
Gerald Albright will astound with instrumentals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iAfiVUq3P0&list=RDEM8_3N7_1t507ejHfRMK9e6g&start_radio=1 alongside sweet and emotive vocals from Maysa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49T4AdvIK5Y&list=PLroFrtgEJ_5f1ksVvDtWf18vNMhoUjy-d to the Cape Henlopen Performing Arts Center at 12:30 p.m. on October 14.
Matt Marshak https://mattmarshak.com/videos will showcase heartfelt jazz and blues – with ample country vibes – at a FREE concert on the Rusty Rudder deck at 1 p.m. on October 14.
Club Phred https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-CyiCL0QE8 will bring more FREE R & B, jazz, funk and a bit of rock and roll to the Rudder deck beginning at 2:30 on October 14.
Acoustic Alchemy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKgRrqgAvho will fill Epworth United Methodist Church with upbeat tunes on October 14 at 2::30 p.m.
Grace Kelly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ICXzFEbkco returns to the festival with tremendous acclaim from sold-out concerts and performances at the Hollywood Bowl and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” She’ll be at Lewes Elementary School for a 3 p.m. performance on October 14.
Marcus Anderson, Jackiem Joyner and Steve Oliver are teaming up for more fabulous instrumentals on October 14 at the Rusty Rudder beginning at 4 p.m. Check out their tunes at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4HpUnOL6Fc&list=RDEMdRyi-YKk6xxnrV7mJVSlaA&start_radio=1, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gxRHsrsZTY, and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTar1eh6h9g&list=OLAK5uy_nRhGTmDfociAdJzA6Z4VeXlIHBxeUyYSk.
Peter White will give you more smooth sounds with a transportive essence of sunny vacations and eternal weekends https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1sAmWzhtxg. He’ll perform alongside Vincent Ingala https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9hS9B39Eko at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center at 9 p.m. on October 14.
Art Sherrod, Jr. is the ticket if smooth and happy instrumentals are your vibe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ8oSIV8e_o. He’ll be performing on October 14 at the Rusty Rudder alongside Marcus Anderson, Rebecca Jade, Matt Marshak and Marion Meadows beginning at 9 p.m.
Carol Riddick is your lady for fine R & B sensations, with her wide and lovely vocal range and emotive performances https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFQpfD8Alm8&list=RDEMIoj4QYwRzmhESI1Rcy-gxA&start_radio=1. She’ll be headlining the Closing Party and Buffet beginning at 5 p.m. at The Rusty Rudder on Sunday, October 15 alongside Marion Johnson, Jackiem Joyner and Gerald Veasley.
TRUE BLUE JAZZ
Paula Johns and the Joe Holt Trio will perform in sight of the surf at the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel, lighting up the night with tunes from The Great American Songbook on Thursday, October 12 from 7 to 8:15 p.m.
Camille Thurman and the Darrell Green Quartet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2ypkSprPxQ will follow Paula and the Trio with stirring saxophone play and gorgeous vocals, performing shows on Friday, October 13, from 7 to 8:15 p.m. and 9:30 to 10:45 p.m.
The Hot Firehouse Jazz Big Band Marathon will stretch out with glorious music from noon till 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 14 at the Rehoboth Beach Fire House.
The Libby York Trio featuring vocalist York and guitarist Randy Napoleon https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Libby+York+Randy+Napoleon will bring songs from their critically acclaimed album “Dreamland” to the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel on October 14 from 6 to 7:15 p.m. and from 8 to 9:15 p.m.
The Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Latin Jazz Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPPrKP9Bb38 will bring percussive magic and a festive blend of swing, blues, jazz and Afro-Caribbean music to Nassau Valley Vineyards at 8 p.m. on October 14.
Eddie Sherman, Peggy Raley, Terell Stafford and Jerry Weldon will close out True Blue in style at the Boardwalk Plaza on October 15 from 1 to 3:45 p.m. Peggy and Eddie founded this festival with headlining performances https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmRleHOtl70 and will be accompanied by Stafford’s astounding jazz trumpet play https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hDnHVX2wgY&list=RDEM7F_FK6kWAQ1OQlD6QtdA9g&start_radio=1 and Jerry Wheldon on the saxophone.