Maya Belardo And Walter Beasley Team Up For Delaware Loves Jazz
Local favorite Maya Belardo, known as “The Princess of Jazz,” will share the stage with smooth-jazz legend Walter Beasley for the spring edition of Delaware Loves Jazz on Saturday, March 7.
A saxophonist-composer with more than 25 album releases to his credit, Walter Beasley has also been a Berklee College of Music professor for the past 35 years. He’s considered one of the most successful professor-musicians in the U.S. In fact, Beasley remains one of the top 10 best-selling African American saxophonists worldwide for the past 25 years.
Belardo was only 17 years old when she first performed at The Clifford Brown Jazz Festival. This year, at age 24, she made her return appearances to the festival this summer before becoming a member of the 2025 Recording Academy. Her career and music have been inspired by Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nancy Wilson.
— Delaware Loves Jazz is on Saturday, March 7, at P.S. DuPont High School. Tickets at Eventbrite.com.
The Queen Showcases Multiple Local Collaborative Efforts
In addition to hosting the annual Shine A Light concert on Saturday, March 7 (see story on page 30), The Queen will play host to three other local collaborative efforts, including a celebration of the music of Bob Marley.
On Thursday, March 12, the upstairs stage in The Crown will feature the debut Jenni Schick & the Gourds, who will perform with two Philadelphia acts: Kat Rivers & the Second Sight as well as blues and R&B artist Abby Lee.
“This show is a huge leap,” Schick says. “Debuting my original music at The Queen feels like a fever dream. . . With three female-fronted bands, it will be one unforgettable night.”
Saturday, March 14, sees another three-band bill with local groove-friendly rocker Ty Mathis sharing the mainstage downstairs with The Last Word and Community Chapstick.
Also in the big room on Saturday, March 21, Kenny Vanella and Friends will celebrate 50 years of the classic Rastaman Vibration by Bob Marley & the Wailers, performing all songs on the album. Reggae legend Marley lived off and on in Wilmington between 1965 and 1977. In fact, Rastaman was last album Marley recorded while still a Delaware resident.
“We want to make everyone aware how significant and connected this album, Rastaman Vibration, is our area,” Vanella says. “On the album is the song ‘Night Shift,’ which Bob Marley wrote about his time operating a forklift while working the night shift at the Chrysler plant in Newark.”
Lower Case Blues will open the show along with Cecelia Grace.
— More at TheQueenWilmington.com
Gilrod Springfest Set For May 16 With More Than A Dozen Acts
The Wilmington block party known as GILROD will return Saturday, May 16, with more than a dozen bands performing on four stages.
GILROD Springfest will start at noon at the intersection of Gilpin Avenue and Rodney Street (hence the event’s name). Expect food trucks and vendors.
— For more information follow GILROD Productions on Facebook
Tony Trischka Brings A Night Of Bluegrass Magic To The Grand
With his band EarlJam, critically-acclaimed bluegrass sensation and banjo player Tony Trischka will resurrect the spirit of Earl Scruggs at The Grand on Friday, March 13.
With the help of his fellow musicians onstage, Trischka traces Scruggs’ musical legacy, from his childhood to his final years.
“Tony Trischka has embarked on a musical journey through time, unearthing a treasure trove of rare recordings featuring the legendary Earl Scruggs,” wrote Alex H. Krinsky in Relix back in 2024, when Trischka released the album Earl Jam, the basis of his new band.
“Earl Jam promises a cross-generational celebration of best pickers alive today, paying homage to the everlasting influence off Scruggs,” Krinsky added.
— More at TheGrandWilmington.org
