The Erie Blues & Jazz Festival is underway at Frontier Park, with two full days of music on three stages.
At Frontier Park, families, friends, and longtime festivalgoers are settling in for two days of performances. While it makes for a fun weekend event, organizers say there is a bigger meaning behind it all: embracing the arts and watching a new generation discover jazz and blues in ways that did not exist before.
“Yeah, I’m seeing more of the younger generations embrace jazz because it’s being incorporated into contemporary music. Their connection to contemporary artists leads them back to jazz and blues roots, and they find themselves really loving it. They want to explore what they’re listening to,” said Tim Bruno, board chair of the Erie Blues & Jazz Festival.
People say supporting the arts matters, especially now.
“What I’m really noticing is that people in my age group, and maybe the age group younger than mine, are now bringing their children and their friends to this to expose them to things they really enjoyed when they were younger. Now they’re getting 10-year-olds and 15-year-olds to experience that as well. It’s important because it’s the arts,” attendee Brian Slawin said.
Some say they fell in love with jazz and blues after hearing clips online.
“The artwork is beautiful. You really need to see the reflection of everyone,” attendee Justine Reed Adams said.
Others say the genre makes them feel connected to the music, the city, and each other.
“The atmosphere is great. I love the music, and I love not knowing anybody and then meeting great people,” said Pamela King, who traveled from Buffalo.
“It’s very heartwarming,” attendee Joseph said.
“Standing here at the Blues & Jazz Festival, you can see the genre isn’t fading. It’s being embraced by every generation, and Erie feels proud of that,” Stephanie Logue reported.