Artists & 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. Since forming during Jazz Fest in 2003, Dumpstaphunk has become a defining force in contemporary New Orleans music, with major appearances including New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and opening for the Rolling Stones in their hometown.

Etienne Charles is a Trinidad-born trumpeter, composer, and storyteller whose music connects jazz, Afro-Caribbean rhythm, and the wider histories of the African diaspora. Through acclaimed projects including Gullah Roots, Creole Soul, Carnival, and San Juan Hill, he brings together rich composition, deep groove, and cultural storytelling in performances that can also include film, dance, and spoken word. As a sideman, he has performed with or arranged for artists including Roberta Flack, Chucho Valdés, Marcus Miller, Gregory Porter, Terri Lyne Carrington, René Marie, David Rudder, and Machel Montano. His recent release Creole Orchestra earned an NAACP Image Award nomination and was named Jazzweek’s #1 jazz album of 2024. His honors also include the Anthony N. Sabga Award for Caribbean Excellence, the title of Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French Ministry of Culture, and a U.S. Congressional Citation. He currently serves as Professor of Studio Music and Jazz at the University of Miami Frost School of Music.

Funded in part by the Crossroads: Touring New England program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the six New England state arts agencies.

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 artists in contemporary jazz, collaborating with musicians from across Africa, Europe, and the Americas. A multi-time GRAMMY nominee, Sosa is celebrated for performances that are inventive, global in spirit, and grounded in the heartbeat of Afro-Cuban jazz.

Zaccai Curtis is an acclaimed pianist, composer, recording artist, and producer, and winner of the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album. A native of Connecticut, he leads his own groups, including the Zaccai Curtis Quintet and Sonido Solar, and is set to release his new album Sonoluminescence in 2026. He has performed with artists including Christian Scott, Donald Harrison, Cindy Blackman Santana, Eddie Palmieri, Lakecia Benjamin, Brian Lynch, and Avery Sharpe. A three-time ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award winner, Curtis is also co-founder of TRRcollective, a respected educator at the University of Hartford’s Jackie McLean Jazz Studies Division, and author of two instructional books supporting jazz and Latin jazz study.

Funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the six New England state arts agencies.

David Rivera is a Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, and drummer whose sound moves across tropical music, R&B, hip-hop, and classic Caribbean dance traditions. With his band La Bámbula, he brings rhythm-forward songs, modern lyricism, and a fresh approach to Afro-Caribbean music. Rivera has performed at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall for globalFEST and shared stages with acclaimed artists including Gilberto Santa Rosa, Pedro Capó, Luis Enrique, Miguel Zenón, and Danny Rivera. A Berklee-trained musician, he is known for live performances that feel both rooted and forward-looking.

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 has played major venues across New England and shared stages with artists including Lupe Fiasco, Ludacris, Big Sean, and Wiz Khalifa. In 2014, Malado! gained national attention as a top-three finalist on VH1’s Make a Band Famous.

All the Rivers is a global ensemble of immigrant and refugee musicians from 10 countries who now call Vermont home. Founded in 2024 by musical director Avi Salloway, the group has quickly emerged as a vibrant artistic force for belonging and justice, shaped by the political, environmental, and social pressures facing immigrant communities worldwide. Singing in six languages and weaving musical traditions from across the globe, the ensemble creates high-energy performances that invite audiences to dance, sing, and connect while uplifting immigrant voices and celebrating the cultural richness new Vermonters bring to their communities. Recent highlights include a sold-out performance at the Flynn in Burlington, and the ensemble continues to grow through new performances, a debut studio album, and a documentary film.

Funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the six New England state arts agencies.

Chestina Thrower is a soulful jazz vocalist born in Pittsburgh and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts. Known for a warm, expressive sound and strong scat singing, they draw inspiration from Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, B.B. King, and Esperanza Spalding. Thrower has shared the stage with Charles Neville, studied in workshops with Charles Tolliver and Sheila Jordan, and performed at venues and events across the region, from the MassMutual Center to UMass Amherst.

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. Based in Central New England, Gabel’s bands have performed for concerts, dances, fundraisers, and special events, building a reputation for authentic big band sound and strong musicianship.

This performance is sponsored by the Springfield Armory National Historic Site. https://www.nps.gov/spar/index.htm. The concert commemorates the Sept. 29, 1943, concert played by Benny Goodman for Armory employees during WWII.

Zikina is a cross-cultural ensemble led by Ugandan musician, singer, dancer, educator, and instrument maker Gideon Ampeire. Blending traditional East African instruments including enanga, adungu, and kalimba with guitar, bass, drums, and rich improvisation, the group creates a sound that feels both rooted and wide open. Their music moves easily between deep groove, bright rhythm, and lyrical texture — inviting audiences to dance, connect, and share in something joyful and new.

Funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the six New England state arts agencies.

The Urban Roots Stage shines a spotlight on local talent and homegrown creative energy at the Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival. Hosted by Lexi Weege and band, this stage features special guests from across our region in a series of short sets that bring together soul, songcraft, and strong local voices. Festivalgoers can catch performances throughout the day from Savoir Faire, Pamela Means, Brit Bridaeu, JJ Slater, and Lexi Weege, with a closing set from Lexi featuring special guests. It’s a welcoming space to discover regional artists, celebrate local sound, and experience another vibrant layer of the festival.

Artist Bios:

Lexi Weege
Website: https://lexiweegemusic.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexi_weege/
Western Massachusetts singer-songwriter Lexi Weege blends jazz, soul, Motown, and blues with a powerful voice and commanding stage presence. A lifelong performer raised in a traveling cabaret family, she has built an independent career through original songwriting, touring, and self-produced releases.

Savoir Faire
Website: https://www.savoirfairemusic.com
Savoir Faire brings a retro-noir sound that blends jazz, rock, and chamber pop with lush vocals, sharp lyricism, and expressive guitar work. Drawing on influences from classic rock to Persian pop, her music feels both timeless and sharply current.

Pamela Means
Website: https://www.pamelameans.com
Pamela Means is an Easthampton-based singer-songwriter, jazz musician, and artist-activist known for fearless songwriting, powerful guitar work, and a bold live presence. Her music brings together political clarity, emotional force, and strong musicianship.

Britt Brideau
Website: https://brittbrideau.bandcamp.com
Britt Brideau is an experimental guitarist from Hadley, Massachusetts whose playing is textured, curious, and full of edge. She also plays guitar with the band Hot Dirt.

JJ Slater
Website: https://jjslatermusic.com
New England singer-songwriter and guitarist JJ Slater makes music rooted in warmth, drift, and open-air ease. A longtime touring artist, he performs both original material and a JJ Cale tribute set.

Schedule:
12:45–1:00 pm — Savoir Faire
1:50–2:20 pm — Pamela Means
3:30–3:50 pm — Brit Bridaeu
5:00–5:30 pm — JJ Slater
6:40–7:00 pm — Lexi Weege
8:10–8:40 pm — Lexi Weege with special guests

Nadim’s Dance Patio brings movement, rhythm, and community energy to the Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival on Saturday in downtown Springfield. Located on the brick area behind the MassLive building, adjacent to Nadim’s Mediterranean Restaurant, it’s a welcoming place to gather, dance, and enjoy the day.

Schedule:
12:00–3:00 pm — Producers and Performers of the Flip Factory
3:00–5:00 pm — DJ Boogy
5:00–6:00 pm — Latin Dance Lesson with Roshay (Salsa & Bachata)
5:00–8:00 pm — DJ Mela: Latin Rhythms & Salsa

Sponsored by Nadim’s Mediterranean Restaurant, the Dance Patio is a joyful part of the festival experience where music, dance, and community come together.