Festival Lineup

Dumpstaphunk is one of New Orleans’ most respected modern funk bands, carrying forward the deep groove tradition of the Neville family and The Meters while pushing it into the present. Led by Ivan Neville, Ian Neville, and Tony Hall, the group is known for powerhouse live shows, rich musicianship, and a sound that blends funk, rock, and R&B with unmistakable Big Easy spirit.

Etienne Charles is a Trinidad-born trumpeter, composer, and storyteller whose work brings together jazz, Afro-Caribbean traditions, and the wider histories of the African diaspora. Through Gullah Roots and other acclaimed projects, he uses music to explore migration, memory, and community with rhythmic power, strong narrative focus, and deep cultural connection.

Omar Sosa is a Cuban composer and pianist known for blending jazz, Afro-Cuban roots, world music, and electronic textures into a sound that is both expansive and deeply rhythmic. Over an international career spanning decades, he has built a reputation as one of the most versatile voices in contemporary jazz.

Zaccai Curtis is a Grammy Award-winning pianist, composer, and producer whose work bridges jazz and Afro-Caribbean jazz with deep rhythm, invention, and historical awareness. In Cubop Lives!, he leads an ensemble exploring the meeting point of bebop and Afro-Cuban jazz through original compositions and classics tied to that rich musical tradition.

David Rivera is a Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, and drummer whose work blends tropical rhythms with R&B, hip-hop, and the dance music traditions of the Caribbean. Performing with La Bámbula, he brings a bold, contemporary sound rooted in rhythm, culture, and live energy.

Lexi Weege is a Western Massachusetts singer-songwriter and performer whose sound blends jazz, Motown, soul, and blues. Known for a powerful, expressive voice and a strong live presence, she brings emotional depth, classic influence, and bold energy to the stage.

Malado! is a Springfield-based band blending R&B, hip-hop, funk, and neo-soul into a dynamic live sound that has been moving audiences since 2008. Known for strong hometown roots and high-energy performances, the group brings serious stage energy and a sound shaped by groove, soul, and rhythm.

All the Rivers is a global ensemble of immigrant and refugee musicians from 10 countries who now call Vermont home. Singing in six languages and weaving musical traditions from across the world, the group creates high-energy performances shaped by story, connection, and collective joy.

Chestina Thrower is a soulful jazz vocalist born in Pittsburgh and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts. Inspired by voices like Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, B.B. King, and Esperanza Spalding, they bring warmth, depth, and a distinctive style to every performance.

Dan Gabel's Jazz Ultimate bring the sound and spirit of classic big band and vintage jazz to today’s audiences. Led by trombonist, arranger, and bandleader Dan Gabel, the group is known for lively performances rooted in the swing era while staying polished, crowd-friendly, and full of energy in the present.

Zikina is a western Massachusetts-based quartet led by Ugandan musician, instrument maker, and educator Gideon Ampeire. Blending traditional East African instruments with original songs, rich vocals, and groove-centered jazz fusion, the group creates a sound that is rooted, vibrant, and deeply rhythmic. Their performances bring together Ugandan musical tradition, improvisation, and cross-cultural collaboration in a way that feels joyful, welcoming, and alive.