Mayor Sarno states, “I am proud to join with HHS Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, Springfield Museums President Kay Simpson and Kristin Neville from the Blues to Green Inc. to announce the kickoff and the return of our amazing Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival. This wonderful and high-energy event, that showcases the great mosaic and diversity of our Springfield, the area and all of New England, will take place on Saturday, August 14th with activities at our historic and renowned Springfield Museums followed by a parade that will dance its way to Stearns Square for an afternoon and evening filled with great music. I want to thank all of the benefactors, especially Evan Plotkin, for their continued support.”
HHS Commissioner Caulton-Harris, “Following all of our local and state COVID-19 protocols, the Department of Health and Human Services is pleased to partner with the Springfield Museums and our Jazz and Roots Festival for this community event. HHS will be joining the festivities and will stand up a vaccination clinic for those who want to get their COVID-19 vaccine shot. The City of Springfield is dedicated and committed to providing vaccination outreach initiatives and standing up vaccine clinics across our City at numerous locations, events and gatherings, such as our wonderful Jazz and Roots Festival, to help educate and vaccinate our community, especially our younger population.”
"In honor of Charles Neville and the joyful spirit he and his wife Kristin have promoted through the Jazz & Roots festival, the Springfield Museums plan to kick off the Second Line Parade from the Wood Museum of Springfield History." said Kay Simpson, President and CEO of the Springfield Museums. "We hope many people will stop in to experience Horn Man: The Life and Musical Legacy of Charles Neville exhibition created by our museum staff in collaboration with Kristin Neville. In addition to tracing his development as a musician, the exhibition incorporates his music which makes it a fitting and memorable tribute to Charles Neville."
Kristin Neville stated, "Blues to Green is excited to present our 8th annual Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival. With the power of music to bring people together in unity and harmony, we hope that after this very difficult year and a half, the festival will be a catalyst for healing our community and re-energizing the city. As we collectively face some challenges ahead, we hope this experience will lift our spirits, inspire us and reinforce our connection."
