Montclair Jazz Fest Attracted 25,000 Music Fans This Year (VIDEO)

Arts & Entertainment

Montclair Jazz Fest Attracted 25,000 Music Fans This Year (VIDEO) A widely attended free music festival in Montclair just keeps getting more popular, organizers say.

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A widely attended free music festival in Montclair just keeps getting more popular, organizers say.

According to Jazz House Kids, the 15th annual Montclair Jazz Festival Downtown Jamboree set a new attendance record for itself , drawing more than 25,000 music fans to Bloomfield Avenue last weekend.

Jazz House Kids founder Melissa Walker and renowned bassist Christian McBride, the festival's music director, were recently profiled by The New York Times at their home in Montclair.

"I was beyond thrilled to see the region's community come together to help us celebrate the Montclair Jazz Festival turning 15," Walker said. ""It is a testament to the power of jazz to unite, bringing people together from all walks of life, young and old and to literally dance in the streets with neighbors and strangers."

McBride said this year's festival "had something for everybody."

"The overall vibe was a joyful celebration of music, including some of my favorite funk and soul classics at the Block Party," McBride said, referring to a new feature this year. "What a dance party to close out our 15th!"

Miss out on the action? Check out some of the sights and sounds in the below highlight video, courtesy of Jazz House Kids.

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