ComedianDave Chappelleurged fans to “make some noise forBlue Note 2022” as the inaugural Napa Valley jazz festival stretched well beyond the Wine Country’s strict curfew on Saturday, July 30.
Things got a little disorderly during the second night of the three-day festival at Charles Krug Winery aftersingerErykah Badudropped outof her scheduled appearanceshortly before she was set to take the stage with the Grammy-winning pianist and festival artist-in-residence Robert Glasper. Joined by musicians Terrace Martin and BJ the Chicago Kid following a 30-minute delay, Glasper’s all-star set — which even included a surprise appearance comedian/actor Anthony Anderson — ran more than an hour over its scheduled end time, pushing back the start time for the evening’s headlining act, the recently reunited hip-hop duo Black Star.
Made up of rappers Yasiin Bey and Talib Kweli, once Black Star took the stage at around 9:15 p.m. the duo didn’t seem especially eager to leave. By 10 p.m., when Saint Helena’s noise ordinance policy goes into effect for “any privately owned real property with the city which activity creates noise,” the side of the stage was crowded with other festival artists, friends and family who wanted to keep the party going.
As the clock kept ticking, the rappers, joined onstage by Glasper and Chappelle, continued performing, going a capella and dancing even as fans started streaming out and the festival producers cut the sound and switched on the house lights.
After 10:30 p.m., Chappelle — who is used to being the center of controversy followingthe fallout around his Netflix special“The Closer”—announced, “We have passed the noise ordinance, but make some noise for Robert Glasper! Make some noise for Black Star! Make some noise for Blue Note 2022!”
Erykah Badu drops out of Napa’s Blue Note Jazz Festival because of COVID-19
DespiteBadu’s unexpected absence, the second day of the festival was highlighted by surprise appearances by standup comic Katt Williams and an extended cover version of D’Angelo’s “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” by Glasper and his guests.
The three-day concert is set to run through Sunday, July 31, with a lineup of soul, jazz and R&B greats, including Emily King, Corinne Bailey Rae and headliner Maxwell, among others.
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Erykah Badu drops out of Napa’s Blue Note Jazz Festival because of COVID-19