PREVIEW: THIRD ANNUAL ART OF COOL FESTIVAL SET TO SIZZLE DOWNTOWN DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA MAY 6-8, 2016! by LARRY RENI THOMAS
(Published: April 27, 2016)

The much-anticipated, most appreciated, Third Annual Art Of Cool Festival, in Durham, North Carolina, May 6-8, 2016, looks to be a super hip, happy affair that will feature first-class, world-class musicians, as well as panel discussions, a shopping party, day parties, and a VIP event. They say the third time is a charm. It clearly looks that way for what has fast become one of the must-see, must-be spring music festival in America. It is getting the buzz it deserves and has set itself up as the place and event that sets the festive tone for the upcoming, busy summer music festival scene.

This year's musical line-up includes Terence Blanchard and his group E-Collective, Nicholas Payton, Revive Music Stage, Kamasi Washington, Thundercat, North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Jazz Band, the NCCU Vocal Jazz Ensemble with Charanee Wade. The North Carolina Central University Jazz Studies Program will also host late night jam sessions, on Friday and Saturday nights at the newly located Beyu Café, the best jazz club in the area. The Friday night performance will feature guest saxophonist JD Allen, and on both nights the music is scheduled to last until 2 am.

So, if you think you can hang and you think you need a little healing, then, downtown Durham, May 6-8, 2016, is the place to be. The Third Annual Art Of Cool Festival is bound to chase your blues away, put a smile on face, a pep in your step, and help you let the good times roll! Those of us who have watched it grow are thoroughly impressed with the founders of The Art Of Cool Festival, Dr. Cicely Mitchell and Al Strong. Their vision, passion. energy, straight-ahead direction has been very contagious, positive, and is, without a doubt, what the late Durham, North Carolina-based, Baltimore, Maryland-born jazz pianist, Brother Yusuf Salim, used to rightly call"radiation." Get ready! Here comes the radiation, the good vibrations and the joyful noise! Be there or be square!

For more information about The Third Annual Art Of Cool Festival, go to www,aocfestival.org or call (919) 672-0060, or go to: info@theartofcoolfestival,com.

More Information: http://aocfestival.org