Get Jazzed!

[ 0 ] March 17, 2011 | John Hood

Lauryn Hill, Bobby Brown & The Isley Brothers Top a Superstar Line-Up for the 6th Annual Jazz in the Gardens

The Magic City throws its fair share of festivals. But of all those we throw perhaps none is as star-studded as Jazz in the Gardens. Not when it comes to Soul and R&B anyway. This year though the annual event seems to have surpassed even its own past. And if the assembled line-up of bold-face names is any indication, this one’s goin’ down in the books.

Topping Saturday’s line-up will be none other than Ms. Lauren Hill, who’ll be preceded by the likes of Al Jareau, Lalah Hathaway and Heads of State (with Bobby Brown). The 35-year-old, Grammy-winning Hill, who of course made her name fronting The Fugees, kicked off the second leg of her “Moving Target” tour earlier this week at Orlando’s House of Blues. But she’s basically been outta the limelight for almost a decade, opting instead to raise the children she had with partner Rohan Marley. That she’ll be gracing the Gardens stage is quite the coup — and promises quite the night for Miamians.

Lalah Hathaway, the daughter of famed soul stirrer Donny Hathway, is also a rare and unexpected treat. It’s been a few years since the chanteuse released her Self-Portrait, but the echoes of her Grammy-nominated “That Was Then” continue to resound. Then again, when you’re offspring of one of the most compelling singers of all time, chances are better than good you’ll have the kinda voice that can capture all kinds of magic. The Chicago native, whose career includes collaborations with everyone from Angela Wimbush to Mary J. Blige, wears her pedigree with pride. But rest-assured, this lady is unquestionably her own woman.

Bobby Brown on the other hand, who’ll be taking the Gardens stage with Heads of State, is becoming quite the Florida fixture. And Florida, in turn, is becoming an increasingly important part of the singer’s life, both professionally and personally.

“I proposed to my fiance in Jacksonville and it was beautiful,” said Brown. “And I can’t wait to get back down there.”

Brown, who everyone knows has endured more than his fair share of ups and downs, seems to be on a decided upswing. And it’s evident in his very voice.

“I’m just happy just to be happy,” he said. “Everything I’ve been through in my life has been murder, death, kill. Right now I’m in a better place. I’m just grateful.”

Brown’s also increasingly in the limelight of late. And his contributions to the world of pop music have been touted by some of today’s biggest stars, among them Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am, who joined Brown in LA during the the seventh annual Peapod Benefit Concert.

“That was fun!,” said Brown. “Will.i.am and Taboo actually came onstage and danced while I was performing [“My Prerogative”]. It was great! And it was for a great cause. When talented people get together and do something to give to the people all the better. For them to come onstage with me and dance with me and just have a good time was [perfect], because that’s what I do when I perform. All I do is go out there and make sure people have a good time. I try to make sure the crowd actually leaves there happy. That’s the fun part about me performing, and I’m looking forward to getting there in Miami.”

If the buzz about town means anything, Miami can’t wait for Brown and everybody else on the Jazz in the Gardens bill to get here either. And it’s bet that each and every one of them will leave happy — and then some.

Sunday’s line-up will undoubtedly be equally memorable, especially considering it includes En Vogue, Gladys Knight and The Isley Brothers.

En Vogue, which Wiki says has “won more MTV Video Music Awards than any other female group in MTV history, along with four Soul Train Awards, six American Music Awards, and seven Grammy nominations,” is of course the group that was Born to Sing, and there isn’t a person on earth who hasn’t sang along to their mega-hit “Hold On.” The Funky Divas, who freed everybody’s mind back in ’92 and helped Salt ‘n’ Pepa chart “Whatta Man” in ‘93, completely re-united in 2008 at the BET Awards, performing with Alicia Keys, SWV and TLC. Since then though their live appearances have been too few and too far between, which makes the Gardens staging a much anticipated event.

So too the appearance of the legendary Gladys Knight, who remains one of the most regal in all of songdom, and who really should show up with a crown. The seven time Grammy-winning Empress of Soul, who’s gearing up for a residency at the refurbished Tropicana Las Vegas, recently played the White House Governor’s Dinner. And reports indicate she wowed each and every power broker in the room, including Mr. President himself. Of course you don’t need to be one of the elite to be swayed by Ms Knight; you just need to be there. But if you do happen to depart feeling a little more special than when you arrived, don’t say we didn’t warn you.

The Isley Brothers, who recently performed with Ms. Knight, will be staging together for the first time in five years. Ron Isley, who’s fresh off yet another Grammy nomination, this time for singing “You’ve Got a Friend” alongside Aretha Franklin, says he and his brothers will be performing selections from his latest solo record, Mr. Ron, as well as all the hits, “each and every one of ‘em.”

“We’re gonna take you back all the way to “Shout,” said Isley. “And we won’t stop until we sing every song you wanna hear, including “It’s Your Thing.”

And while the Legacy Recordings artists will sadly be missing brother Marvin, their Gardens staging will serve as a great tribute to his deep true baritone.

Last year Jazz in the Gardens attracted over 45,000, which is a long way from the initial 2500 of 2006. And Miami Gardens Media and Events Coordinator Ula Zucker, who serves as Co-Executive Producer (with Vernita Nelson), assures us the 6th annual event, which is being hosted by motivational speaker Michael Baisden, will easily surpass that number.

“We’re expecting another record,” she said. And we believe her.

Add the fact that it also employs “at least 300 people,” provides space for 69 food and merchandise vendors, and shows the bright side of one of Miami’s most under-recognized municipalities, and you’ve got the makings of one magical night.

What else would you expect from the Magic City?

Jazz in the Gardens takes place on Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20. Tickets are $55 to $85 for a one-day pass and $95 to $145 for a two-day pass. Doors open at 4pm. Sun Life Stadium, 2269 NW 199th St; Miami Gardens. For info: www.jazzinthegardens.com.