The Clifford Brown Jazz Festival brings international stars and regional performers to Rodney Square as Wilmington works to strengthen its place in the global music community.
WILMINGTON — Grammy Award-winning vocalist Ledisi and five-time Grammy Award winner Marcus Miller will lead a full week of free music when the 39th annual Clifford Brown Jazz Festival takes over Rodney Square through Saturday, Aug. 8.
The festival, which began Sunday, is intended to do more than present a series of outdoor concerts. City organizers describe it as an effort to honor Wilmington native Clifford Brown while bringing internationally recognized artists, regional musicians and local performers together on one downtown stage.
A global stage in downtown Wilmington
Organizers say the festival attracts music fans from across the region and around the world, helping position Wilmington as a city connected to the broader international jazz and music community.
The event mixes traditional jazz with soul, R&B, funk, gospel, hip-hop, African percussion, Caribbean music and other global influences…