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Date: 7/11/2023
SPRINGFIELD — A gallery of international musical talent is descending on the city from July 20-22 for the 10th annual Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival. The event attracts thousands of people downtown who come to enjoy a diverse playlist spanning jazz, blues, funk, hip hop, Latin and African musical genres — along with food, arts, presentations and workshops.
Organizers say the festival’s mission is to unite people through music, foster a sense of community and promote social justice.
“Music is a universal language that crosses borders, languages and connects people and our disparate experiences,” said Kristin Neville, founder and executive director of Blues to Green, the festival’s sponsoring organization.
“There’s such a richness of cultural expression through music. It promotes greater appreciation of our diversity, and what an amazing world it is that we have so much creativity and so many talented people who will be performing,” she continued.
The festival kicks off on July 20 at 7 p.m. with a concert outdoors at the Student Prince on Fort Street. Beginning the following evening on July 21 at 5:30 p.m. the festivities continue at Stearns Square with a variety of performers taking the stage. The final day of the festival begins at 12:30 p.m. on July 22 with a parade starting at the steps of City Hall and finishing at the main stage in Stearns Square where the music continues into the evening.
Neville founded the festival to promote harmony in the community and the need for such an event has grown over the years.
“We need to understand and appreciate our differences and complexity. We’re all human. We’re all one race. We’re of the human race and we share this one planet. The music illuminates how we can live together,” said Neville.
The festival could attract up to 7,500 people, said Neville. The event is a boon to downtown businesses as people descend on the city.
“We’re bringing thousands of people into the heart of downtown to support many of these brick-and-mortar businesses. We’re also inviting vendors, whether they’re food or art, to share and sell their work. We’re activating downtown in a positive and welcoming way,” said Neville.
Working with her team at Blues to Green, Neville had a hunch the festival and its message would transcend the years and become an annual event —she was just hoping she could keep up with it all.
“I thought if it didn’t wear me out, it would keep going. It’s not an easy task. It’s quite a feat to bring it together each year. There’s an energy and a love for this that keeps it going from year to year,” she said.
Admission to the festival and its events is free and open to the public. A schedule of performances is available at www.springfieldjazzfest.org, where complimentary advance tickets are available and donations to help fund the event can be made. The festival is made possible by grants, local business sponsors and donations.