SALEM — The long overdue summer rains came yesterday, but they were light in the afternoon and did little to dampen the spirits of the crowd that turned out for the fourth-annual Salem Jazz and Soul Festival.
The music event drew more than 1,000 to Salem Willows over two days. On Saturday, when the sun was shining, cars lined the streets leading to the waterfront venue and music fans packed the hillside next to the stage.
"It was the biggest crowds we've had so far," said Andy Goldman, the festival's music director.
Even yesterday, with rain falling, several hundred people turned out. "It's really amazing how many people stuck in (yesterday) and were really digging the music," Goldman said.
The festival featured more than a dozen performers ranging from the Salem High School Jazz Band to the Grace Kelly Quintet, a touring group which heads to Europe this fall.
In addition to the music, the festival held music education classes for children. Over three years, the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival has donated more than $15,000 to school and local music programs.
— Tom Dalton
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