True Blue Jazz Festival returns to Cape Region Oct. 16-20

A mix of world-renowned headliners and regional act will come together for the 12th Annual True Blue Jazz Festival, set for Wednesday to Sunday, Oct. 16 to 20, in Rehoboth Beach and Lewes

Set to perform in ticketed shows at The Boardwalk Plaza Hotel and Nassau Valley Vineyards, the lineup includes The Bill Charlap Trio, Mary Stallings, Buster Williams & Something More Quartet, The Roy Hargrove Big Band, Terell Stafford and Jerry Weldon. True Blue Jazz  will offer a number of free jazz live jazz performances at venues throughout the Cape Region.

Eddie Sherman, co-founder and producer, said, “These venues allow people to get out and support our local restaurants, catch great free live music as we feature the very best in regional and local jazz acts. You won’t find that anywhere else across the weekend.”

Area restaurants and venues are presenting True Blue Jazz artists for multiple nights during the festival.Downtown Rehoboth venues include Aqua Bar & Grill, Blackwall at the Beach, the Blue Hen patio at  Avenue Inn, Ocean Glass Inn, and The Pines. In Lewes the music will flow at Bramble & Brine at The Buttery, Lefty’s and Nassau Valley Vineyards.

The festival kicks off with a free night of youth jazz musicians performing from 6 to 10 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 16, at Bethany Blues, Lewes. Young musicians will come from Fred Thomas and Beacon middle schools; Taylor  Music Studios; and Cape Henlopen, Lake Forest, and Dover high schools.

True Blue Jazz will host a six-hour big band marathon fundraiser for the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company from 12 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 19, at Rehoboth Beach Fire Station 1 on Rehoboth Avenue. Featured will be Cape Henlopen High School Jazz Band, Delmarva Big Band, Columbia Jazz Orchestra and St. Marks Spartan Alumni Band, with The Bill Dilkes B3 Organ Trio playing between set-ups.

The Pines, in downtown Rehoboth, will host two special True Blue Jazz shows, with a $10 cover fee for each. The Joe Baione Vibe Experience with T.K. Blue will play from 8 to 10 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 17; and the Bruce Williams Quintet with Freddie Hendrix will play from 9:30 p.m. to midnight, Friday, Oct. 18. There will be a $10 cover for each show.

For complete event details and ticket purchases, go to truebluejazz.org.