2nd annual Mad Jazz Fest brings jazz greats to Veritas Vineyards in Nelson County

After a hugely successful first edition of the Mad Jazz Festival in 2022, Lee Enterprises Virginia will bring their second annual event to beautiful Nelson County on Sept. 23. Hosted by Veritas Vineyards & Winery as part of their Starry Nights series, critically acclaimed saxophonist Tim Warfield serves as artistic director for the 2023 edition of the festival. Warfield acquired an all-star lineup of jazz greats, Grammy-nominated musicians and chart climbers.

Warfield, who has performed with many jazz standouts during his long career, said he was honored when he was approached by Lee Enterprises Virginia last year to curate the inaugural festival.

“Last year’s event had something for everyone,” the assistant professor of jazz studies at the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University said. “We attracted a diverse community that included couples, groups of friends and families with children,” he said. “It was joyful and amazingly synergistic for both the performers and attendees.”

When Warfield was approached to curate this year’s lineup, he didn’t hesitate to accept.

“This year we plan to tastefully do things bigger and better with even greater diversity,” Warfield said. “You can expect to hear performances by living jazz legends, Grammy nominees, sounds from the classic big band dance era, and a VIP room, offering a special tribute to women in jazz. Performances will allow audiences to experience varied jazz styles from traditional to gospel to Caribbean to neo soul.

This year’s lineup features performances by the award-winning jazz pianist and vocalist Champian Fulton, Trinidad-born Etienne Charles and Creole Soul, 6X GRAMMY^® Nominee & NAACP Image Award Winner The Baylor Project, trumpet legend Eddie Henderson, and Big Band sensation Josh Lee and the Extended Family, featuring Imani Rousselle.

George Hodson, general manager of Veritas Vineyards & Winery, is beyond excited to host the 2023 Mad Jazz Festival.

“What an incredible opportunity to have world-class talent here in Nelson County,” Hodson said. “We are incredibly excited to host the highest level of jazz performers and share it with everyone. This is what we have always wanted the Starry Night Series to become.”

Lee Enterprises Virginia will donate part of this year’s proceeds to the Chris Long Foundation, explained Chris Dorm, regional director of digital advertising for Lee Enterprises.

“The Mad Jazz Festival is not just about music, it’s about community,” Dorm said. “And we couldn’t think of a more deserving nonprofit than the Chris Long Foundation, an organization poised to bring clean water and educational opportunities to underserved communities, both domestic and internationally.”

For Warfield, that community-building aspect is exactly the diversity he believes jazz represents.

“Jazz music is an American art form,” he said. “It's a social music and best experienced live. It boasts a sound that encompasses the celebration of life, joy, freedom, spirituality and sensuality through the feeling of the blues.”

For more information about this year’s lineup, ticket prices and more, please visit madjazzva.com.

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