Intermittent rain proved no deterrent for the Music at the Intersection crowd on Day 2. Organizers say the crowd was similar in size to last year’s: 12,000. The all-ages audience came together for a lineup of tour de force performances, culminating in a set from the “Queen of Funk†Chaka Khan.
But first, it was time for church. The festival started its second day Sunday with a Gospel Day Party, during which DJ Team Lil Will, motivational speakers Alfonso Foster and Ryan Himmel, gospel singers Jeremy and Latoya, and more got righteous.
Then at 1:30 p.m., jazz lovers were treated to a set from a selection of East ºüÀêÊÓƵ’ finest players, who honored the region’s musical heritage with a selection of numbers made famous by musicians from the area.
Legendary contemporary jazz act the Stanley Clarke Band played an expansive set filled with songs from his immense catalog. Clarke’s set bumped up against a performance from jazz trumpeter and MATI artist-in-residence Keyon Harrold, who also performed with Black Pumas on Day 1 of the festival. This native son’s prodigious talent was matched only by his stage presence as he delivered a rousing set.
In the afternoon, it rained, leading VIPs and other attendees into Sophie’s Artist Lounge, where local legends Art Dwyer, Tom “Papa†Ray and other DJs held court with curated sounds.
Hailed by many concertgoers as the best set of the weekend, there was a lot of word-of-mouth hype around soul chanteuse Samara Joy. Her late-afternoon set featured the velvet-voiced singer performing popular numbers as well as selections from her new album, “Portrait.â€
Just like the day before, Sunday’s crowds became more enthusiastic as the day went on. With the rain causing no delays, the atmosphere remained upbeat, especially for those under the Big Top who saw Esperanza Spalding bewitch a tightly packed venue.
The four-time Grammy winner combined her excellent bass playing with her rich voice. Spalding was both powerful and delicate in her performance.
As the fest transitioned from day into evening, Trombone Shorty brought the party up the Mississippi from New Orleans. Blending soul, jazz and hip-hop with smidgens of funk basslines, he and his band had the crowd dancing from start to finish. In addition to his musical virtuosity, his onstage chatter got everyone involved.
Then came Robert Randolph, who has influenced most working musicians from Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana to the guy playing in your local bar.
And at MATI, he showed why. Robert Randolph Band brought the house down as he put the pedal (guitar) to the metal. Randolph’s guitar seared through the rain and parted the heavens with a musical menu of blues and soul that included a fantastic rendition of “Baptize Me.â€
By 7 p.m., folks were lining the streets and sidewalks of Washington Avenue to see the iconic Chaka Khan. Introduced by ºüÀêÊÓƵ Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, the musician, fragrance maker, chocolate confectioner and philanthropist hit the stage hard.
Backed by a powerhouse of a band, her blistering set ignited a street party as she encouraged the audience to dance, sing along and shake it.
Delivering hit after hit, including “Tell Me Something Good,†“I Feel For You,†“I’m Every Woman†and “Ain’t Nobody,†her blistering concert left a mass of sweaty, exhausted and sonically satiated revelers in its wake.
MATI kept the beat on the street as it closed out this year’s celebration with Marquise Knox and the Funky Butt Brass Band, whose bombastic jams got folks into a Mardi Gras spirit of love and unity.
Successful in delivering a weekend filled with collaboration, cultural exchange and great music, MATI finished things off with a collective exhale as Harrold hosted an after party and all-star jam at the Dark Room.
Nancy Davidson, of Brentwood, dances during the Robert Randolph Band's performance at Music at the Intersection in ºüÀêÊÓƵ on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. Photo by Jon Gitchoff