MIAMI, Fla. – Music lovers from all over the world migrated to South Florida for a weekend of fun, dance and soul at the 5^th annual Jazz in the Gardens concert held at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. The two-day event, which was brought to you by South Florida’s own Circle of One Marketing, Saunders Entertainment Group, and the City of Miami Gardens kicked off on Friday, March 19^th until the 21^st.

This year’s lineup helped generate a sold out crowd at Sun Life with performances by Grammy Award winning R&B guru’s Mary J. Blige and John Legend. Fans also caught a glimpse of piano-playing vocalist, Robin Thicke.

Other top performers included Grammy Award nominee Teena Marie,  ‘90’s R&B/Pop super group Boys II Men, Eric Roberson, new artist Melanie Fiona and saxophonist David Sanborn.

Marie opened her set with “I’m Just a Sucker for Your Love”, a duet with the late Rick James that earned her first top 10 R&B hit 30 years ago. At age 54, Marie made sure fans from her generation, and ours, knew their history as she dazzled the crowd with her riveting moves and funk-a-delic stage presence. She also paid a tribute to James by performing “Fire and Desire” another of the duets the two created.

What would an event in Miami be without the world witnessing some of its own local talent? Up and coming saxophonist John Saxx, Rachel Brown and K’Jon represented the region while Kawan Debose, Cassandra Wilson, Jovie and legendary Jazz musician Joe Sample also shared the stage with the event’s superstars.

The event also helped its local artists catch a sneak peak of their dreams, in live form.

“This is one of the highlights of my career,” said Saxx. “To perform on the same stage as Mary J. Blige, John Legend and Boyz II Men is an absolute blessing for me. It also encourages me to push harder at what I do and maybe one day I can headline an event like this.”

Local radio personality Tom Joyner hosted the event, while Grammy award-winning producer Bryan Michael Cox kept the crowd on its feet in between acts with his DJ skills.

Aside from the display of mesmerizing music, the crowd also had the opportunity to witness another form of magic. The Universoul Circus. Although we only got a small taste of what this unique demonstration of music, comedy and soul had to offer, we were certainly left with a lasting impression of the group. For those living in the state’s south region, the group will be performing at Sun Life Stadium next week. If you live outside the area, we encourage you to check out their website and see when they will be bringing their magic to you.

Despite the crowd-pleasing talent that the Circle of One team put together for its guests, the weekend still belonged to its top performers, John Legend, Robin Thicke and Mary J.

“My wife and I are avid music fans and appreciate its culture,” said Stephen Shaw, a native of England who brought his wife to the event as a gift for their anniversary. “We loved Teena Marie and Rick James way back when and too see Teena tonight was amazing. The trip was well worth it.”

Thicke took the stage first and immediately went to work, performing “Lost Without U,” and “Magic” from his platinum selling album, The Evolution of Robin Thicke; along with “Shakin it for Daddy” off his new album Sex Therapy.

Although Thicke’s performance had all the women screaming at the top of their lungs, he still something for the fellas to join in to. At the end of his performance, the R&B singer paid a small tribute to rapper Lil Wayne by performing Wayne’s hit single “A Milli”.

One of the most anticipated acts of the weekend was the performance of the “Queen of Hip Hop and R&B” Mary J. Blige. Blige, a native of New York, did not disappoint her fans in Miami as she graced the stage with her beauty, elegance and, oh yea, her spine-tingling voice. She also had the fashion heads at the event spinning, while rocking a dark blue, one shoulder cat suit and glitter-covered multi colored boots.

Mary performed some of her classic hits, including “What’s the 411”, “Real Love” and “Sweet Thing”. However, none of which touched the crowd, and herself, as much as her song from the Academy Award winning film “Precious” called “I Can See in Color”. The devastating diva broke down in tears during the song, while developing somewhat of a personal and emotional connection with her audience.

The performances by Blige, Thick and Marie were, without a shadow of a doubt, electrifying to say the least. The crazy thing is that was only Saturday’s performaces.

Legend, along with Boyz II Men and Melanie Fiona, wrapped up the event on Sunday. The city of Miami Gardens, and its guest’s, received another delightful treat from the team.

“I think this was one of the best year’s they had,” said Patience Bryant, a South Florida resident. “They had a great lineup last year, but seeing Mary was beyond unbelievable.”

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Tina Turner

To the Queen of Rock n’ Roll goes the spoils of Rhythm and funk. I have never seen her perform on stage but I can only imagine it being out of sight. It’s not just her music career that intrigues me but her personal strength off the stage that captivates me. Her story is a testament of committing one-self to their goals and beliefs.

India.Arie

A beautiful woman that let her presence known in 2001 was armed with a voice and a guitar. I’m attracted by artist that are multi-faceted. The song that I chose helps me reflect on my own hardships and rising above. The first time I saw her in concert was when she opened up for Sade. That was a sight to behold. Her stage presence stood above her studio recordings. I’m please to have Ms. Arie as part of the After Midnight series.

Aretha Franklin

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I can not ignore the voice and sheer talent that Aretha Franklin has showcased. Let it be known that she is the quintessential Queen of Soul. I’ve always enjoyed her popular songs such as, “Respect”, “Think”, and “A Natural Woman”. Such hits were created when she signed on to Atlantic. Her albums, “Lady Soul” and “Soul 69” show how deep the woman can go.

Erykah Badu

How can such a big voice come from such a petite frame? Erykah Badu has had my ears since her first album. I remember in the summer of 1997 listening to her music. I had come off of long term relationship and it seemed like her music cradled my heart. I couldn’t tell if it was the summer heat or the melodies of her music that made me feel warm inside. Her album became the soundtrack to my life during that time. You know when that happens, you can’t help but reminisce about those days that once were. Surprisingly, her album releases have been parallel to all my break-ups except for this last one. With such an emotional charge from me to her music, it is only right that I homage to her and her music.

Sade

My father introduced me to her music when i worked with him. The first song I ever heard from her was “Hang on to your love”. It wasn’t until her Love Deluxe album did I start to really pay attention to her music. by this point I had her whole catalog and bought her “best of” CD, just for ” Please send me someone to love”. I saw her Lovers Rock tour in 2001 and when I heard the new rendition of “Paradise” I wanted to grab my chair and fling it into the crowd because it was so punk rock. I love her music but this version of paradise gets me amped up.

Minnie Riperton

She is the queen of hearts. There is a certain caliber of singing that is held by few and wanted by many. Minne Riperton belongs in the top echelon. Her voice is a window sent from heaven. Her singing is an auditory spectacle into the world of unconditional love. I ask myself what is it about her that attracts me to her music? It’s easy for me to say that her vocal range was second to none. But I challenge others to look beyond that and hear the spaces between her words. Her poetry is the effort of love pouring out of her soul. Songs like hers don’t come around that often, if at all. I hope that other singers see her as a standard of what a love song should talk about. It’s an era that she crowned with her voice. I know that this world was meant to catch a glimpse of her. She was put here to show the possibility of a life of love.

Jill Scott

I’m a big fan of Jill Scott. Her first album is always being played. What drew me to her was the refreshing sound that was missing from the radio. She had come from the place that so many people lack or hold dearly, love. In fact, her aura seems to be personified by how she dresses and holds herself. And to top it off she can write the words to the songs she sings. That means a lot to me. Her second album helped me overcome some of own challenges. Her words in the song family reunion helped me mend my own family ties, amen. It was at that point that I need to give something back to her.

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Paula Patton as Billy Holiday

As an aspiring singer, Holiday suffered sexual abuse, struggled with a drug habit and encountered racism everywhere. But the late Lady Day—one of the first African American women to sing with an all-white orchestra—translated all of that pain into some of the most achingly personal songs ever recorded. (Download “Strange Fruit,” which she sang at her 1948 Carnegie Hall concert, and listen for yourself.)

“You can imagine that women at home hearing her songs on the radio felt her vocalizing their emotions and their struggles.”—Paula Patton, 33, of the upcoming drama Push, wearing Holiday’s trademark gardenia in her hair

Chanel Iman as Althea Gibson

After years of playing segregated tennis, the late Althea Gibson tore down the color barrier of competition in 1950, when, at age 23, she became the first African American to compete in major U.S. championships—and, in 1957, the first to win Wimbledon. In her crisp whites, “the Jackie Robinson of tennis,” as she was known, won 11 major titles.

“She showed women…you can be sweaty, be gorgeous and do a great job.”—Chanel Iman, 19, cohost of MTV’s House of Style

America Ferrerah as Delores Huerta

A fierce advocate for migrant farmers, Huerta cofounded, with César Chávez, what became the United Farm Workers of America. In 1975 she played a critical role in enacting policies that allowed workers to bargain for better wages and conditions. Today, at age 79, Huerta continues to be active—last year she campaigned for Hillary Clinton’s presidential run.

“She saw her own opinion and voice as [something as] powerful as any man’s.”—America Ferrera, 25, of ABC’s Ugly Betty, holding a sign that reads “strike” in Spanish

Alicia Keys as First Lady Michelle Obama

Not only is Obama the first African American filling the position, but she’s already making best-dressed headlines for a style that ranges from couture to J.Crew. Raised in Chicago, Obama, 45, powered on to Princeton and Harvard Law School before beginning a career during which she met, mentored and married our current President. Hail to our newest smart, opinionated, chic First Lady!

“She has worked hard for everything she’s accomplished, and done so with grace and humility. So many women and girls can identify with her story.”—Alicia Keys, 28, whose most recent album is As I Am

Others included actress Lindsey Lohan as Madonna, Emma Rogers as actress Audrey Hepburn, actress Emma Stone as Carrie Bradshaw, and Hayden Panitiere as Amelia Earhart.

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