Jazz in the Gardens 2015 beats last year’s record of people attending at Sun Life Stadium
By Maria C. Montanez, FMU Intern
More than 60,000 people showed up at Sun Life Stadium to one of the most important music events in South Florida on March 21 and 22. For two days, legends of Jazz, R&B and Hip Hop filled the audience with powerful energy through their authentic talents. Erykah Badu, Maxwell, RUN-DMC dominated the stage. Brian Culbertson and his trombone delighted jazz lovers.
On the second day, as the heat of Miami Gardens started fading and the breeze kicked into the environment, Culbertson hit the stage with his sensational style of manipulating the trombone. This was just the appetizer of the great entrée that music fans were going to experience.
Around 8 p.m., RUN-DMC put the audience to dance and took them back to the 80s. Joseph Simmons and Darryl McDaniels performed with the same intensity and energy these two have on stage.
At the rhythm of My Adidas, most of the spectators held their shoe as a symbolic moment for the Hip Hop culture.
Erykah Badu set the tone at Sun life stadium. “If you change your perspective, you’ll change circumstances” she expressed to the audience to show great appreciation for what music does.
This undoubtedly talented woman left the audience speechless. Her presence and humor spread all over the venue.
The moon accompanied Badu’s voice and lyrics as the audience sang along her songs. Bag Lady, Next Lifetime and other classics were listened by thousands of people. Her prominent movements to her music and her extravagant but simple outfit left this second day of the 10th annual music festival as one of the best. Time was not a concern. Badu left the stage at Maxwell’s disposal nearly at 11 pm.
The energy was still intact. The most expected artist came on with his sensuality that characterizes him. His elegant burgundy suit and his particular voice were the perfect mix to close JIG 2015 with such spectacular spectators.
It is clear the effect that music has on people. Hip Hop, R&B and Jazz keep prevailing in the heart of many Americans. This event has become a tradition for many families and people from different generations.
No doubt 2016 will surprise us with more legends of this music that never stops giving us new perspectives as Badu expressed to us that night.
(Photos by Jonathan Jackson, Student Intern Photographer)
