‘SOUL QUEEN’ HEADED TO ABQ
Varied entertainment to play at 5 locations
Signing of Grammy winner completes lineup for Route 66 Summerfest
Albuquerque’s musical lineup for its Summerfest series was recently completed with the signing of Grammy Award-winning singer Irma Thomas as the headliner for Route 66 Summerfest on July 21.
Thomas, known as the Soul Queen of New Orleans, is one of New Orleans’ most esteemed and iconic entertainers, organizers said in a news release.
She has appeared on HBO’s hit series Treme, in which she sang with an all-star backing band including Allen Toussaint, who produced some of her best known work.
The Squirrel Nut Zippers bring their mix of jazz, folk and punk rock to Heights Summerfest at North Domingo Baca Park on Saturday, June 9, from 4-10 p.m., organizers said in a news release.
Country music veteran Jo Dee Messina will headline July 4 at Balloon Fiesta Park. Messina posted nine No. 1 hits, 16 Top 40 songs, sold more than 5 million albums worldwide, and was honored by the ACM Awards, CMA Awards, and Grammy Awards.
On Aug. 4, Robert Randolph and the Family Band will bring funk and soul to Civic Plaza during Downtown Summerfest. The group’s sound is inspired by successful 1970s funk bands such as Earth, Wind & Fire and Sly & the Family Stone. Downtown Summerfest is from 4-10 p.m.
Westside Summerfest returns to Cottonwood Corners on Aug. 18 from 4-10 p.m. with Ozomatli as the headliner. The LA group blends genres from classic to modern Latino, urban, hip-hop, and other world styles.