Since its inception, MATI has paid homage to the St. Louis’ imprint on the American songbook, as well as the relationship our city has with its Mississippi River roots, honoring the giants who shaped genre and sound as it also calls up and gives platform to a new wave of artists.
A majority of the lineup has direct ties to the St. Louis area. R&B artist Ryan Trey spent time growing up in St. Louis, East St. Louis and University City. Marcus Baylor, of the husband-wife jazz duo The Baylor Project, is from St. Louis. Drummer Weedie Braimah was born in Ghana but raised in East St. Louis. Trumpeter (and MATI Artist-in-Residence) Keyon Harrold is from Ferguson. Other artists hail from the Caribbean, Mississippi Delta and sister river cities, from which St. Louis shares music and cultural roots.
This year’s internationally-renowned musical headliners include 3x Grammy winning rapper Common with superproducer Pete Rock, the godmother of soul Patti LaBelle, New Orleans R&B singer-songwriter Lucky Daye, neo-soul R&B singer-producer Leon Thomas, legendary hip-hop group De La Soul, and jazz great Branford Marsalis, bringing world-class talent to the Grand Center Arts District.
Additionally, some of St. Louis’ top artists who are currently dominating the local music scene will perform over the weekend alongside these heavy-hitters. Don’t miss sets from these St. Louis-based musicians as they take the spotlight:
FRIDAY:
- Scooter Brown: 2 p.m. in Strauss Park
- Branden Michael Lewis: 4:45 in Strauss Park
- K Kudda Muzic & Friends: 5 p.m. on The Sovereign Stage
- Saint Boogie Brass Band w/ Steppers: 5:45 p.m. on The Big Top Stage
- Frankie DoWop & The Thundacats: 5:45 p.m. at Strauss Park
- Noel Spiva: 6:30 p.m. in the Lazz Jazz Artist Lounge @ Urban Chestnut
- Playadors St. Louis Superjam: 7 p.m. on The Big Top Stage
- Anita Jackson: 7 and 9 p.m. at Jazz St. Louis
- Marquis Knox & Funky Butt Brass Band: 10 p.m. at The Grandel
SATURDAY
- Antonio Foster and the HEAL Center Happy Hour: 2 p.m. in the Lazz Jazz Artist Lounge @ Urban Chestnut
- Whitworth: 4 p.m. on The Field Stage
- Drea Vocalz: 4:45 p.m. on The Big Top Stage
- Joe2Morrow: 5:15 p.m. in the Lazz Jazz Artist Lounge @ Urban Chestnut
- T-Dubb-O: 5:30 p.m. on The Sovereign Stage
- Adam Maness Trio Feat. Bob DeBoo & Kaleb Kirby: 7 p.m. at Jazz St. Louis
- The Boogaloo Crew of St. Louis: 9 p.m. at The Key
SUNDAY
- Steward Stiles: 12 p.m. in Strauss Park
- Brothers Lazaroff with DJ Boogieman: 1:30 p.m. in the Laz Jazz Artist Lounge @ Urban Chestnut
- Miles Trumpet Summit feat. Keyon Harrold, Danny Campbell, Brady Lewis, Dustin Shrum, Kasimu Taylor & Dawn Weber on The Big Top Stage
- Eldraco + FreeNation: 3:30 p.m. on The Field Stage
- Matt “The Rattlesnake” Lesch: 4:15 p.m. on The Sovereign Stage
- Blvck Spvde & The Cosmos: 5:30 p.m. in the Lazz Jazz Artist Lounge @ Urban Chestnut
- Matthew Henry’s Agbara: 7 p.m. at Jazz St. Louis
- S.L.U.M.Fest Presents ROTN, Bo Dean, TreeVilla, Remember Buddha, Dormir, Soopaman DJ Speed, Thr3e, Caliph, Poet-X, Track Vandals, Davie Napalm, Greze Gutta and Saint Oeaux: 9 p.m. at The Key
*Photo Credit: Trells Eye Photography
