Richmonders and fans from afar can expect a weekend awash in jazz, soul and R&B delivered by a mix of music icons and rising stars when the Richmond Jazz and Music Festival returns to Maymont Park on Aug. 9-10.

Dominion Energy is again the presenting sponsor of the festival which has been bringing big names and newcomers alike to perform in Richmond since its inception in 2010.  This year’s lineup will feature numerous Grammy award-winning and chart-topping artists such as T.I., CeeLo Green, Jodeci, Muni Long, Aloe Blacc, Dru Hill, Masego, Marsha Ambrosius, Hot Like Mars, Norman Brown, Charles Owens, Kirk Walum & Mindi Abair, October London, Raheem DeVaughn, Alexander Mack, and many more.

To mark the official start of the Richmond Jazz and Music Festival, regional jazz artists including D.C. metro area singer/songwriter Kemi Adegoroye will take the stage for “Homegrown at the Hipp” at Jackson Ward’s celebrated Hippodrome Theater on Friday, Aug. 8.

In the lead up, the festival will also host “Straight No Chaser” events at various RVA locations. These downtown jazz performances and jam sessions are free and open to the public.

Aug. 6: Clavin Brown & Sam Reed at Bar Solita; Weldon Hill at Tarrants; Chet Frierson at Black Olive; Charles Owens Trio at the Marriott; Dominion Energy Jazz Café at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Aug. 7: John D’earth & Friends at Common House

The festival is rain or shine and attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and/or blankets. It should also be noted that transactions at this year’s festival will be cashless. Major credit and debit cards will be accepted with service charges applying to all orders. For more information or tickets visit https://richmondjazzandmusicfestival.com