The Richmond Jazz and Music Festival returns August 8 and 9 for its 16th year, and the lineup is one of the deepest the festival has assembled. Festival passes go on sale May 22 at richmondjazzandmusicfestival.com.
Headlining is neo-soul icon and multi-Grammy winner Erykah Badu, a returning festival favorite. She’s joined by Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Samara Joy, the 2023 Best New Artist Grammy winner, jazz great Peter White, R&B legend Johnny Gill, and Tony! Toni! Toné! The Legacy Continues.
The supporting lineup runs deep. Leon Thomas, Alex Isley, Noname, Tiana Major9, Doug E. Fresh, Talib Kweli, Grammy-winning Lupe Fiasco, Victor Wooten and The Wooten Brothers, The Blackbyrds, Free Nationals, and returning crowd favorite Hot Like Mars are all on the bill. Additional local and regional artists will be announced in the coming weeks.
Leading into festival weekend, Straight No Chaser returns with a week of straight-ahead jazz performances at restaurants and venues across the Richmond region, extending the celebration beyond the festival grounds.
Organizers have maintained the fan-informed updates introduced last year, including a compact festival footprint and a schedule with no overlapping sets, so every performance is fully accessible to every attendee. Curated food and beverage offerings, local artisans, and premium hospitality round out the experience.
Produced by JMI and powered by Dominion Energy, the Richmond Jazz and Music Festival has grown into one of the region’s premier live music events, drawing attendees from across the country each summer.