NEW YORK — Grace Jones will return to the New York City stage as the headliner of the 2023 Blue Note Jazz Festival.
The music and fashion trailblazer, known for dance music hits like “Pull Up to the Bumper” and “Slave to the Rhythm, last appeared at Pride Island in 2019. She also went viral on social media with her AfroPunk 2015 set at Fort Greene’s Commodore Barry Park.
At 74, Jones remains a top draw on the concert circuit with her enigmatic and jaw-dropping performances (sometimes involving a hula hoop). The Jamaican-born superstar has been booked by veteran New York City promoter Jill Newman for a May 31 gig at Hammerstein Ballroom, which will kick off a monthlong music series produced by the legendary Greenwich Village jazz venue.
Announced Tuesday, the 12th Annual Blue Note Jazz Festival will also feature a lineup including Pat Metheny, Lisa Fischer, NxWorries (Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge), Robert Glasper, Lalah Hathaway, Ron Carter, Meshell Ndegeocello, Manhattan Transfer, Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, and eight-time Grammy Award winner Christian McBride. Concerts will be held across the city at the Beacon Theatre, Town Hall, Celebrate Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Bandshell, the Blue Note Jazz Club and other venues.
Legendary blues guitarist and singer Buddy Guy’s Damn Right Farewell Tour will also grace SummerStage in Central Park on June 18. The Harlem Gospel Choir will perform a tribute to Nina Simone on June 28 at Sony Hall.
“The Blue Note Jazz Festival is celebrating the pulse and culture of New York City, and there is no better way to do that than by experiencing iconic artists throughout iconic venues this summer,” Blue Note Director of Programming Alex Kurland said in a statement. “We’re proud to spotlight multi-generational, legendary artists who have had an extraordinary impact and influence on music and culture.”
The festival will run from May 31 to July 2. Tickets are now on sale.
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