Tag Archives: Doug E. Fresh

Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, Patti LaBelle and others Headline Annual “Jazz in the Gardens” Music Festival

The lucky 7th year of the two-day Jazz in the Gardens music festival returns to Miami Gardens with an incredible line-up sure to put the audience at Sun Life Stadium on their feet on March 17 and 18, 2012.  Beginning Saturday, March 17, 2012, “Jazz in the Gardens” attendees will be treated to exhilarating performances by the queen of neo-soul Jill Scott, the soulful chart topping KEM, Ledisi who was recently named “the next Patti LaBelle by Patti LaBelle”, old school human beat box Doug E. Fresh and the timeless jazz superstar Ramsey Lewis. The Sunday, March 18, 2012 line up will feature the incomparable voice of the multi-platinum, nine time Grammy winner Mary J. Blige,  R & B legend Patti LaBelle, smooth jazz saxophonist Kenny G, jazz guitarist Kevin Eubanks, formerly of The Tonight Show, and locally grown internationally recognized chanteuse Nicole Henry .

“Jazz in the Gardens” owes its success to a simple formula: a star-studded line-up, great food, extraordinarily affordable ticket prices and amazing weather. For the past six years the festival has enjoyed unprecedented growth, consistently delivering stunning increases in attendance. The 2011 festival attracted over 48,000 music lovers, from the Caribbean, the United States and all over Florida, to the City of Miami Gardens

The 2011 “Jazz in the Gardens” featured performances from legendary artists including Ms. Lauryn Hill, Charlie Wilson, Al Jarreau, Jazmine Sullivan, Gladys Knight, The Isley Brothers, EnVogue, Lalah Hathaway, Branford Marsalis and former New Edition members Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant. Previous years have included celebrated artists such as Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, John Legend, Robin Thicke, the late Teena Marie, Wyclef, Babyface, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Chaka Khan, Chrisette Michele, Common, Anthony Hamilton and Roy Ayers.

For more information about the 7th Annual “Jazz in the Gardens,” please call the general hotline at (877)-640-5299 or visit www.jazzinthegardens.com.

Rap Down Rewind

By Tamara Jenkins

Old school rap heads rejoiced as the City of Chicago and radio station V103 presented the Rap Down Rewind featuring Salt N Pepa, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick and Bell, Biv Devoe.

The event, held in conjunction with The Taste of Chicago, was hosted by V103 personalities Joe Soto and Ramonski Luv.

The lovely and ageless ladies known as Salt N Pepa were first to hit the stage. The duo brought the estimated 30,000 plus in attendance to their feet as they performed classics “Do You Really Want Me”, “Shake That Thang”, “I’ll Take Your Man”, “My Mic Sounds Nice”, “Tramp”, “Lets Talk About Sex”, “Push It” and “Whata Man” .

After a brief break, they returned with even more energy, continuing with a mini tribute to their mentors Diana Ross, Teena Marie, Aretha Franklin and LaBelle, and ending on a spiritual note with Kirk Franklin’s “Stomp” featuring Salt.

Doug E. Fresh initially hit the stage solo but was later joined by a chained out Slick Rick and they performed “The Show “.  Fresh later provided instrumental help on Rick’s classic “La Di Da Di” concluding with a tireless beat box performance.  

After an intermission, R&B trio Bell, Biv Devoe danced their way onto the stage amid screaming fans. Reminiscent of their New Edition  days dressed alike in light colored vests and sagging jeans they did their best to keep up with their dancers as they performed “Thought It Was Me”, “Do Me”, “Poison” and “When Will I see You Smile Again”. Rap Down Rewind was a memorable event that highlighted timeless performers and music.

Photo by Adam Bielawski