The 21st annual Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival will take place June 1-3 at Marine Park beside the Navesink River.
Nearly 150,000 attendees are expected this year to enjoy three full days and nights of jazz, blues, food, crafts and plenty of family fun.
Produced by the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation, the festival has grown into one of the largest free music and food festivals on the East Coast.
The headliner for the opener, Friday, June 1, at 8:30 p.m., is local favorite Billy Hector.
Last September, Billy and his band shared billing with Bonnie Raitt at The Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame’s “Tribute to Muddy Waters.” Billy recently took home three Asbury Music awards for Best Guitarist, Best Blues Band and the Living Legend Award.
The headliner on Saturday, June 2, is Big Bill Morganfield, the son of legendary Blues guitarist Muddy Waters, who will perform at 8:30 p.m. His latest release, “Blues in the Blood,” proves his musical pedigree is more than just words.
Joey DeFrancesco will close the festival Sunday, June 3, at 2:50 p.m. Known as the “Master of the Hammond B3 Organ,” he is always a top choice in Downbeat’s critics’ and readers’ polls.
In addition to these headliners, the weekend schedule includes performances on Friday by the Chuck Lambert Band, on Saturday by the Outsiders Blues Band, and on Sunday by the renowned T.J. Wheeler, jazz vocalist Sandy Sasso, and the Willie Mitchell Collaboration.
The festival also includes a broad sampling of the top area restaurants, artisans and crafts people as well as children’s activities and entertainment.
The Red Bank Jazz and Blues Festival will run 5-10 p.m. Friday night, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. For a complete listing of performers and festival information, visit www.redbankfestival.com.