By Carla Thomas 

SAN JOSE — The sounds of summer echoed through the heart of town during the 3-day-long San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2024, held Aug. 9 – 11.

Multiple stages hosted a variety of iconic performers such as Incognito; local favorites like Tia Carroll; and trailblazers such as Herbie Hancock.

Guests enjoyed dozens of vendors featuring art, gifts, and clothing. Tasty bites included flame-grilled barbeque, seafood and a variety of desserts.

Oakland entrepreneur Ava Carrie and several friends said it was great to get out, enjoy the sun and hear great music. “This is a wonderful festival and just a great time with friends,” said Carrie.

Festival goer Cin-Dee said she flew in from Virginia to celebrate her birthday in the Bay Area. She was saddened that she missed Frankie Beverly’s farewell tour that kicked off in March when he performed in her area on the east coast, capping a 50-year career. When Cin-Dee noticed Maze would feature Beverly in the line up at the San Jose Jazz Festival, in a tribute to him, she made sure to cut short her touring of Santa Cruz to not miss the performance on Sunday evening.  “I am so happy to be here and have this opportunity to see Frankie with Maze,” she said, dancing to the music. “This is really special and it’s great to see Frankie on stage and hear my favorite songs.”

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Maze performed favorites in tribute to Beverly while introducing their new lead singer, Tony Lindsay. During the last stretch of the concert, Beverly performed, “Happy Feelings,” and “I Wanna Thank You.” The performance was emotional for Beverly as the audience stood up and danced during the entire performance, capturing the historic moment on their cell phones.

Maze was founded by Beverly in 1970 in Philadelphia and was recognized by Marvin Gaye when they relocated to the Bay Area in 1971. The group went on to earn nine gold albums between 1977 and 1993 with mega hits such as “Happy Feelin’s” and “Before I Let Go.” Beverly, known for his soulful baritone voice, wrote hit after hit during his five-decade career. Beverly said he was initially inspired by the pacesetting R&B doo-wop group Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers.

Performances at the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest also included the John Santos Sextet, the San Jose Jazz High School All Stars, Faye Carol, Delfaeyo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, David Benoit Quartet, Andre Thierry Accordion Soul, Ayo Brame, The Family Stone, and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra.

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By Lisa Petrie    

The 45^th World Arts West Dance Festival performance at Presidio Tunnel Tops opens with a joyous and colorful procession on Sept. 8.

Kiazi Malonga from the Oakland-based group Fua Dia Kongo will lead over 100 cultural performers to the stage with Congolese dance and drum rhythms, setting the mood for an afternoon trip around the world through music and dance.

Now, in its third year with support from the Presidio as a partner, the 2024 theme Dance as Activism underscores the power of cultural dance to challenge societal norms, preserve heritage, and inspire social change. The broad range of performances will reflect both traditional and contemporary styles – reflecting the rich and diverse aesthetics of the Bay Area’s cultural dance community.

From Chinyakare Ensemble’s presentation of traditional dance from Zimbabwe and Southern Africa to Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company’s original modern show combining hip hop, theater and rap, dance as an art form can keep cultural narratives or see them evolve through a new generation. Thirteen groups will present performances from South Asia, the Middle East, Mexico, the Caribbean, China and the Philippines, with music from Eastern Europe and Eurasia by the women’s vocal ensemble Kitka.

Festival director Dr. Anne Huang is committed to giving these artists a platform to express their identities. She says: “Each performance is a coded blueprint for survival, resilience, and evolution. The festival is a testament to the power of social change through dance — more persuasive than shackles and guns, fear and violence.”

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The World Arts West Dance Festival will be held Sunday, Sept. 8, 1pm – 4pm at The Presidio Tunnel Tops. Admission; FREE. Visit this page for more information and see the complete artist lineup. Watch a performance video here.

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By Dr. Maritony Jones

Special to The Post

 Oakland, California, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and history of producing great athletes and artists, celebrates another homegrown success. Richard Curtis IV, an Oakland native and renowned dancer, made a triumphant return as a featured performer on the “Out of This World” tour starring hip-hop legend Missy Elliott. The tour captivated a nearly sold-out crowd at the Oakland Arena on Tuesday, July 9.

Richard Curtis IV, the creative force behind the SwaggBounce dance style, shared the stage with hip-hop icons Missy Elliott, Ciara, and Busta Rhymes. The “Out of This World – The Experience” tour has been making waves across major U.S. cities, and the special performance in Oakland resonated deeply with the community.

Known by his social media handle @yoitswagg, Curtis has garnered a massive following online for his unique dance style that blends precision, energy, and innovation. His SwaggBounce dance has revolutionized the dance community, solidifying his status in urban music culture.

Curtis attended St. Paul’s Episcopal School and graduated from the Oakland School for the Arts’ School of Dance. His early dance training began at the age of 4 at Oakland’s New Style Motherlode Dance Studio and Culture Shock Oakland.

Since then, he has performed with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Janet Jackson, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Childish Gambino, and Ozuna. His dynamic choreography and high-energy performances have taken him from the United States to Europe, leaving a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.

Reflecting on his return to Oakland, Curtis said, “I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to dance for the legendary Missy Elliott on her tour and to inspire my community in Oakland. Missy’s music has been a source of inspiration for me throughout my career, and it’s a blessing to bring the SwaggBounce to the stage alongside such an iconic artist.”

Curtis’ journey from local dance studios to international stages serves as a powerful reminder to young people in Oakland to follow their dreams. His success story is a beacon of hope and inspiration, proving that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.

For more information about Richard “Swagg” Curtis IV and his upcoming performances, follow @yoitswagg on all social media platforms. For inquiries and interviews, please contact his public relations manager, Sherron Hogg, at 510-719-3753.

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