[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 107 (Thursday, June 22, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E874-E875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HAMPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 22, 2017

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Hampton 
Jazz Festival on its 50th Anniversary.
  The idea for a jazz festival emerged after a visit between friends--
the President of Hampton Institute Jerome Holland and jazz entrepreneur 
and promoter George Wein, who was

[[Page E875]]

noted for his festivals in Newport, Rhode Island, New York, California, 
and New Orleans.
  This first festival was in 1968 when Hampton Institute--present day 
Hampton University--celebrated its 100th birthday with a musical night 
filled with jazz. This celebration took place on Hampton's campus at 
Armstrong Field. Artists that performed at the original festival 
included Dizzy Gillespie, Ramsay Lewis, Herbie Mann Quintet, Nina 
Simone and her Trio, Muddy Waters and his Blues Band, and many more. It 
was supposed to be just a one-time event, but the attendees loved it 
and wanted more. In 1970, the City of Hampton became the third partner 
when the festival moved from Hampton Institute to the newly built 
Hampton Coliseum due to growing crowds; it went on for three days and 
has been a tradition in Hampton Roads ever since.
  The Hampton Roads community welcomes fans who travel from all over 
for the weekend long Jazz Festival each year. Many think of it as more 
than just a few concerts. The festival is a celebration of jazz, pop, 
blues, soul, and R&B music and artists. It is a time for fans and 
artists to celebrate the culture and the life of jazz. It is a terrific 
opportunity for the community to come together for a great time 
listening to great music. As a result, many events surround the dates 
of the festival, including parties, family reunions, class reunions and 
other gatherings.
  There are fans who have attended the festival since its beginnings, 
and enjoy it just as much as they did when they were younger. And I 
count myself as one of those fans, as I attended the very first 
festival at Armstrong Field and have attended virtually every festival 
since. Because jazz is such a unique genre of music that crosses so 
many ethnic and cultural barriers, the festival is a way for different 
generations and diverse groups of people to come together and share in 
their love of jazz.
  I commend Hampton University and the City of Hampton for their 
ongoing partnership to bring well-loved and critically acclaimed 
artists and musicians to Hampton Roads for this annual event. A record 
was set in 2011 for the festival when all three shows, featuring the 
artists Charlie Wilson, Kem, Jonathan Butler, Chaka Khan, Boyz II Men, 
and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, sold out.
  Last year's festival included Babyface, New Edition, Gladys Knight, 
and many more. Hampton strives to make the festival better and better 
each year with more artists and vendors, and I know this 50th 
Anniversary festival will be no different.
  The remarkable success of the Jazz Festival has helped the City of 
Hampton build up the reputation of the Hampton Coliseum as a premier 
venue for the region. Thanks in part to the high profile acts that 
performed at the Jazz Festival, the Hampton Coliseum has been able to 
attract many popular artists and other events. As the Festival has 
grown in popularity, annual attendance is usually around 25,000 fans in 
recent years.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to mention a few names who have been instrumental 
to the success of the festival over the years--Dr. William Harvey, Joe 
Santangelo, John Scott, Joe Tsao, George Wallace, and Lucius Wyatt.
  The 50th Anniversary of the Hampton Jazz Festival is to take place as 
it always does during the last full weekend in June and will include 
many fan favorites, including Jill Scott, Kem, Brian Culbertson, the 
O'Jays, Patti Labelle, and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly.
  Mr. Speaker, as a fan of jazz and a regular attendee, I congratulate 
Hampton University and the City of Hampton as the Hampton Jazz Festival 
celebrates its 50th Anniversary. I look forward to a great weekend 
listening to some of my favorite artists knowing that this Hampton 
Roads tradition will continue for many years to come.

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