HAMPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL TURNS 40

The Hampton Jazz Festival is still going strong at 40 with a line-up that includes performers from the first concert in 1968. The June 22-24 festival features Patti Labelle, George Benson, David Sanborn, Tower of Power, Jill Scott , Norman Brown’s Summer Storm -a smooth jazz group featuring Peabo Bryson, Jeff Lorber, and Marion Meadows. Also appearing will be a 17-piece big band honoring Dizzy Gillespie, who played at the 1st festival in 1968. Members include Roy Hargrove, James Moody, Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton, and Roberta Gamberini. Also appearing are festival favorites Frankie Beverly and Maze, Stephanie Mills, and Ramsey Lewis, who appeared in 1968. Promoters say more artists are coming and you can keep up with the list on the festival Website. Tickets for the June 22, 23, 24 festival at the Hampton Coliseum go on sale March 31 at 10:00 a.m. They run $52.50 per seat per performance plus fees.