The band ignited, wine poured, folks swooned…and it’s only the beginning.
Good Shot Judy and their Little Big Band kicked off the 2016 Winter Blues and Jazz Fest at the Williamsburg Winery on Jan. 14 to a sold out crowd of more than 220 people.
Performing favorites like “Cheek to Cheek,” “Fever,” and “Get Me to the Church On Time,” the band entertained all ages, some traveling from as far as New York, Florida and California for the festival. The band also welcomed Jocelyn Oldham to the stage, who joined them in singing jazz classics throughout the evening.
“Events like this bring artists together and brings the community out,” said Brandon Musko, a woodwind player for Good Shot Judy. “We all have other jobs, but we come together to perform and entertain…that’s what’s so great about it.”
Lisa Drummond and DJ Richardson of Hampton and Newport News, respectively, stumbled across the festival online and an hour into it, had already decided they’d be back next year.
“There are things to do around here in the summertime, but after Christmas, it’s kind of dead,” said Richardson. “So this kind of offering is perfect!”
And that’s exactly the reaction festival organizers Steve Rose, Jennifer Raines, and Chef David Everett were hoping for.
“Basically, we just want [everybody] to have a great time all weekend long,” said Rose.
During the weekend, jazz musicians will continue to perform to sold out crowds throughout Williamsburg and, according to Rose, more than 1,600 tickets have sold, and an additional couple hundred are expected to sell.
There are 300 people signed up to attend brunch this Sunday and over the course of the entire festival, 66 attendees have bought weekend passes, compared to just more than 20 sold last year. It's also had an impact on the lodging community with 55 rooms booked at the Williasmsburg Lodge along, compared to 20 rooms booked there last year.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the festival website at http://www.winterbluesjazzfest.com.