James Taylor, Blues Traveler To Headline Greenwich Town Party

Grammy Award-winning singer James Taylor must have Greenwich in his mind—he's signed on as the Greenwich Town Party's (GTP) headliner for the annual Memorial Day weekend music fest.

GTP made the announcement Thursday which included the news that the popular rock band Blues Traveler, Grammy-nominated Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, the hip hop-rock-reggae band Michael Franti & Spearhead, and singer-songwriter Caroline Jones of Greenwich, also will perform at the day and night-long May 25 festival. It'll all get started with the rousing, inspirational vocals of the Harlem Gospel Choir at 11:45 a.m.

In addition to the music festival portion of the event, which also includes local bands performing on a second stage, the Greenwich Town Party will continue its tradition of hosting a four-hour family festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a BBQ Grill-Off with ‘People’s Choice Awards’ from noon to 2 p.m., and a special information area featuring local non-profit and civic organizations. There also be a food court and café area featuring food and beverages available for purchase by local restaurants and caterers.

The annual concert, which has attracted headliners such as Buddy Guy, Paul Simon and Dave Matthews, is the brainchild of billionaire Ray Dalio, who’s been providing primary funding the concert since its inception in 2011. Dalio has fashioned the event after similar festivals he experienced in his wife's hometown.

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Taylor, whose iconic 1970s songs 'Fire and Rain,' 'Carolina In My Mind,' 'Sweet Baby James,' and 'Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight,' was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama in 2011. In 2012, he was awarded the distinguished Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government, according to his website. He has earned 40 gold, platinum, and multi-platinum awards and five Grammy Awards. In 2000, Taylor was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Blues Traveler hails from New Jersey and the group comprises singer and harmonica player John Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchla, drummer Brendan Hill, bassist Tad Kinchla and keyboardist Ben Wilson.

The Harlem Gospel Choir was founded in 1986 by Allen Bailey who has recruited the finest singers and musicians from the black churches in Harlem and the New York City area.

In an effort to accommodate additional families this year, the Greenwich Town Party will be hosting a second event location in the Greenwich Board of Education's Havemeyer Building parking lot on Greenwich Avenue. Details about this free satellite event, “GTP Rocks the Avenue”, will be released soon, according to organizers.

At the March 14 Greenwich Board of Selectmen's meeting, event organizer Scot Weicker said the parking lot and adjacent Greenwich Common will be transformed into a family fun and music event with local bands and activities.

General admission tickets are scheduled to go on sale Monday, April 8, on the GTP website and in the Greenwich Town Hall lobby. Town hall ticket sale hours will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, while supplies last.

And this year, GTP is offering 'fair share" tickets that will go on sale tomorrow, March 22 on the GTP website. A limited number of “Fair Share” tickets are priced at $400 each and is equal to the cost to produce the Greenwich Town Party, according to the GTP.

Greenwich Town Party also is accepting applications for resident volunteers. The Volunteer Sign-Up link is available on the Greenwich Town Party website, and residents can apply for volunteer positions to work at the event. A limited number of positions are available for those interested in working for set time periods during the event. Volunteers are given one free ticket to remain at the event before or after their shift.