Jazz Festival hits all the right notes with attendees

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Saturday's storms didn't stop the jazz party in Richmond. This year's Richmond Jazz Festival is in full swing.

Headliner Jill Scott closed Saturday's show -- and the rain tried to stop the party but, the music went on.

Rain or shine, it was nine hours of music - all in one day!

Ask anyone who attended and they'll tell you performers in this year's artist line-up know how to put on a show.

"Big Sam's Funky Nation is fabulous!, " Margo Floyd said while dancing to the beats.

She traveled from Lynchburg to get in on the action. You don't have to be an adult to be a jazz enthusiast.

"Some of my favorite artists are going to play actually, Rick Braun and Peter White. I really like them," said 11-year-old, Mason Goss. He came from Norfolk.

"This is the second time we brought him here and he told me 'Nana, this is tradition'," said a woman accompanying the excited jazz fan.

At one point the weather stole the show. The heavy rains so bad, everyone was told to get out until the weather would cooperate.

"It got real cloudy out, then it started thundering and lighting and then they asked us to evacuate the park," said attendee Mautene Atkins.

It didn't take long for the sun to re-appear, welcoming fans back to the park for a show too big to stop. It's more than music, there are vendors -- plus the chance to meet your favorite artist at a Meet and Greet tent following each act.

Then, there's the fellowship with friends and family.

"Friends from D.C. that we grew up with and friends from Virginia State alumni as well…we do this every year," Tanya Free explained.

If you missed it, the 11-year-old jazz enthusiast has some advice. "You should really come next year. Try to come next year. It's really fun," Goss said.

Grammy winner Jill Scott ended Saturday's show with a standing ovation.

The jazz festival continues Sunday at noon at Maymont. Michael McDonald, Kirk Whalum, and many others will take the stage.