|
contents | jazz | |||||||||||||
| Eric Roberson Added to A-List "Jazz in the Gardens" Lineup One of the premier faces of the independent soul movement, Eric Roberson, has signed on to join the great assembly of artists scheduled to perform at the 2010 "Jazz in the Gardens" Music Festival in Miami Gardens, FL, Sunday, March 21st 2010. Laying claim to performances this year from the likes of Mary J Blige and Melanie Fiona to John Legend and Joe Sample, the festival has become a respected force on the American music scene and festival circuit. Organizers of "Jazz in the Gardens" intend for the merge of performances by independent artists like Eric Roberson with mainstream acts to broaden the festival's reach. Roberson is enjoying an almost cult like following and unprecedented success for an independent artist, riding the wave of his first Grammy Award nomination in 2010 for best urban/alternative performance for the song "A Tale of Two" featuring Ben O'Neill & Michelle Thompson. Eric recently released his 7th Album, Music Fan First, to much critical acclaim. Currently on tour in Europe, Eric is performing to sell out audiences, with "Jazz in the Gardens" marking one of his first U.S. performances on his new Music Fan First Tour. The "Jazz in the Gardens" crowd of over 50, 000 will be ranked among the largest crowds to witness an Eric Roberson performance, as the R&B phenomenon normally drones his fans in more exclusive and intimate venues. "Attending a concert with such a musical fusion means that the 'Jazz in the Gardens' audience deserves respect for being music fans first, " says Roberson. "I'm honored to be performing alongside music legends from both the Jazz and R&B genres." ABOUT ERIC ROBERSON Eric Roberson attended Howard University on a Musical Theatre scholarship and performed frequently on campus, while also landing a recording contract with Warner Brothers, for which he recorded the R&B hit "The Moon" in 1994. Following graduation, Roberson gathered a reputation as singer, songwriter and producer, and over the past decade he has worked with a virtual "who's who" of adult soul artists including Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Vivian Green, Dwele and Will Downing. The desire for creative freedom led Roberson to shun major labels and work as an independent for his solo career, beginning with 2001's The Esoteric Movement. He's also sold his CDs principally through his concerts, small retail outlets and CD Baby, resulting in over 100, 000 copies sold of his four critically acclaimed albums, The Esoteric Movement, The Vault, Vol 1, The Vault, Vol 1.5, and 2005's The Appetizer. Roberson followed in 2007 with Left, another solid album that continued his winning streak and topped the indie soul charts. And in 2009, he released his most ambitious disc yet, Music Fan First. ABOUT THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS The City of Miami Gardens was incorporated on May 13, 2003, as the 33rd city in Miami-Dade County. At a population of approximately 10, 000, it is the third largest city in Miami-Dade County. Miami Gardens is a solid, working and middle class community of unique diversity. It is the largest predominantly African-American municipality in the State of Florida and boasts many Caribbean residents. In 2007, the City hosted the 41st annual Super Bowl. The City recently hosted the 2009 college BCS championship game and in February 2010 hosted Super Bowl XLIV. write your comments about the article :: © 2010 Jazz News :: home page |