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Backstage at the 8th Annual Jazz in the Gardens BY ELVIS ANDERSON HUGE success! That’s how most EVERYONE in the City of Miami Gardens and beyond is describing Jazz in the Gardens, 2013. From Mayor Oliver Gilbert, to the city council members, to an incredible line-up of performers and top-notch food and beverage vendors taking part and perhaps most importantly, the thousands of fans who flocked to Sun Life stadium for two full days of amazing entertainment, food and fun in the sun! Hosting over 63,000 people during the two day music extravaganza, Jazz in the Gardens once again allowed Miami Gardens to showcase the talent, creativity and community pride evident throughout the City. This is an event that’s all about fun – evident in a rousing report from the Miami Gardens Police Department reporting a weekend without any incidents. With visitors from all over the country attending this year’s Jazz in the Gardens, tourists from major cities such as New York, Atlanta, Washington D.C. and even Los Angeles, Jazz in the Gardens continues to set the standard of what the City of Miami Gardens has to offer to not only fans in Florida, but the entire nation! A few days before the 8th Annual Jazz in the Gardens, we walked the grounds with the
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Monica with young girls.
event’s production team. The stage construction crew scurried to make final touches to the massive stage. Long haired, tattooed workers communicated in code on their walky-talkies, they spoke about digital consoles, in-ear systems and such. It was obvious this wasn’t their first gig; they were seasoned concert pros. The lights that would shine brightly against Charlie Wilson’s sequin suit were secured; the eight-foot tall speakers that would belt Fantasia’s soulful voice and Najee’s soothing saxophone sound were being tested. Like the calm before a storm, it was quiet and the tens of thousands of white audience chairs were empty. In less than 24 hours, this
place was going to be packed to the brim. NeYo, Earth Wind & Fire, Charlie Wilson, New Edition, Monica, Fantasia, Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds, Najee, Nicole Henry and Mary Mary were en route to the City of Miami Gardens – a party was about to go down! From the first note of local emerging artists Unselfish, who sang the National Anthem, to the last lyric from Earth Wind & Fire, the show was chock full of world class professional talent. If you want to see what a professional looks like – watch Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds come out of his trailer and stroll on stage in a black suit and black aviators. This wasn’t his first rodeo. A highlight of his show is where he performs songs he wrote and produced for others such as Boyz II Men’s “End of the Road” and “I’ll Make Love to You.” The crowd went absolutely wild when Johnny Gill joined Babyface on stage, impromptu, to perform the
See JAZZ, page 3 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––-