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Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival facts for kids
| Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival | |
|---|---|
Ray Rodriguez y Swing Sabroso perform on the Marina Stage, June 2005
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| Genre | Blues, |
| Location(s) | Red Bank, New Jersey |
| Years active | 1987–2016 |
| Attendance | 80,000–150,000 |
| Website | Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Festival 2011 |
The Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival was a popular music festival held every year in Red Bank, New Jersey. It was also sometimes called Red Bank Riverfest. The festival took place during the first weekend of June, usually from Friday to Sunday.
It was set up in Marine Park, right next to the Navesink River. The festival ran for many years, from 1987 to 2016. It was known for being a very large free event in the Northeast United States. Each year, between 80,000 and 150,000 people came to enjoy the music and fun!
Contents
What Was the Festival Like?
The Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival was a big event with lots to see and hear.
Stages and Music
The festival had several stages where different musicians performed.
- The main stage was called the Marina Stage.
- There was also a smaller stage, sometimes called the Harbor Experience or Riverfront Stage.
- Later on, a third stage was added. This stage was special because it featured local artists and young, new musicians.
You could hear all kinds of jazz and blues music. The festival was a great place to discover new bands and enjoy famous artists.
Food and Fun
Besides the music, the festival was full of other exciting things. Many vendors set up stalls selling delicious foods and unique items. These stalls were all around the music areas. The festival was also just a short walk from the center of Red Bank, making it easy for visitors to explore the town.
The festival actually started from an older event called the International Food Festival. That festival began around 1980 to show off local restaurants, and it also had some music. Over time, the music part grew into the big jazz and blues festival we know!
Famous Performers
Many talented musicians played at the Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival over the years. Some of the well-known artists who performed included:
- John Pizzarelli (in 2010)
- Houston Person (in 2009)
- Big Bill Morganfield (in 2007)
- Eddie Palmieri (in 2005)
- Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers (in 2002)
- Bernie Worrell and the Woo Warriers (in 1999)
These artists brought different styles of jazz and blues to the festival, making it a diverse and exciting experience for everyone.
Why Did the Festival Stop?
The Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival was a beloved event for many years. However, after 2016, the festival stopped happening. The organizers explained that the costs of putting on such a large event had become too high. It was no longer possible to keep it going.
Even though the festival is no longer held, it is remembered as a wonderful part of Red Bank's history, bringing joy and music to thousands of people for nearly 30 years.