To all the cool cats out there, it's time to get grooving with smooth tunes and soulful rhythms. Esplanade's annual Jazz in July festival is back – it's a dynamic series of standout performances and jazz-centric workshops for the entire month of July.
At this month-long festival, you'll get down with talented jazz musicians. One highly anticipated performer is three-time Grammy Awards nominee Jazzmeia Horn (July 5 and 6), who's best known for her rich, powerful voice. Pasquale Grasso and his trio (July 12) is another act that's sure to impress – Grasso is often lauded as one of the greatest jazz guitarists of our time.
You won't want to miss the mesmerising modern jazz performance of solo pianist Shai Maestro (July 22) either, where he deftly takes to the piano with an unrivalled finesse.
It doesn't end there though; as part of Esplanade’s Mosaic Music Series, there’ll also be a captivating evening of jazz on August 30 in a showcase titled Seeds & Flowers. Look forward to a classic jazz performance that showcases the talent of Andrew Lim, Aaron James Lee, and Kenji Nakano. Come 2 October, there'll also be a farewell concert by Brazilian musician and icon Gilberto Gil, who is often dubbed the father of the Musica Popular Brasileira – a post-bossa nova music style that's influenced by jazz and rock.
Most think that the world of jazz is one for the sophisticated with slow, sultry tunes and soulful solos. With Esplanade's Jazz in July though, it's a festival that welcomes all to experience the heart of jazz. Throughout July, you can also join in Big Band Sundays and Date Night Fridays that feature regional and local jazz acts – these free performances aren’t just groovy but also make for easy listening. With both ticketed and free performances, everyone can join in and feel the groove.