Sunny Isles Beach celebrates 10 years of jazz music at the SIB Jazz Fest
On Saturday, Nov. 18, more than 1,000 jazz lovers enjoyed a beautiful evening of jazz music in Sunny Isles Beach at the 10th Annual Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest, featuring rhythm and blues legends, The Spinners; Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Cornell Gunter’s Coasters; and jazz vocalist, Lourdes Valentin. As the City’s flagship event, Jazz Fest attracted guests from all over South Florida to Sunny Isles Beach’s brand new concert venue, Gateway Park.
“What a night we had at the 10th Annual SIB Jazz Fest,” says Mayor George “Bud” Scholl. “With gorgeous weather and phenomenal performances by all of the talented artists, this year’s Jazz Fest was one for the books.”
Concert-goers relaxed under the stars on a perfect South Florida Saturday night enjoying the stylings of contemporary and classic jazz, rock and roll, and R&B music.
Music royalty, The Spinners, headlined the 10th Annual SIB Jazz Fest, transporting the audience back to the 1970s with their most popular hits including “I’ll Be Around,” “Then Came You,” and “Working My Way Back to You.” With top-notch vocals, perfectly choreographed dance moves and sensational melodies, The Spinners gave one of Jazz Fest’s most rousing performances.
Original Spinners member Henry Fambrough was joined on stage with lead singer Charlton Washington, high tenor Marvin Taylor, tenor Ronnie Moss, bass singer Jessie Peck and a soul-infused five-piece band led by Keith Ferguson. Their powerful performance is one that will go down in Jazz Fest history.
Despite their set being cut short due to a medical emergency, Cornell Gunter’s Coasters featuring Edwin Cook brought electric energy and glamour as the second act of the night. Clad in their signature suit, the Clown Princes of Rock and Roll’s famed personality and soul was on full display.
“Unfortunately, due to the heat and humidity, Edwin Cook was unable to continue his performance and was taken to the hospital for precautionary measures,” says Mayor Scholl. “We are glad to hear that he is now well and recovering.”
Local treasure, Lourdes Valentin opened the event with a soulful cover of Bill Wither’s iconic “Lovely Day;” and lovely it was. Song after song, Valentin moved the audience with her unique arrangements, rich lyrics, and exciting rhythms. Though not new to the SIB Jazz Fest – Valentin was a featured act in 2016 – she certainly entertained the crowd and gave a performance to remember.
Rounding out the weekend, jazz enthusiasts savored a prix-fixe Jazz dinner on Friday, Nov. 17 at Acqualina Resort’s award-winning restaurant, Il Mulino New York, and a Jazz Lazy Breakfast on Sunday, Nov. 19 at Fresh American Bistro in Solé on the Ocean.
To view the most memorable moments from Jazz Fest, visit imagevent.com/cityofsunnyislesbeach or facebook.com/SIBJF. If you loved Jazz Fest, save the date for next year’s 11th Annual Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018.
