The fantasy of a 17th-century French salon, where the most fascinating people came together to exchange ideas, came to life during Robert Glasper’s Dinner Party performances. (Estefany Gonzalez) Snoop Dogg Grooves with a Jazz Band Snoop Dogg and Kamasi Washington perform at Blue Note Jazz Festival in St. During “I Feel For You,” the hit that jumpstarted her ’80s revival, Kamasi Washington took the stage for a saxophone solo-the cherry on top of a truly excellent set. Her guitarist was on fire the three backing vocalists were powerhouses in their own rights the percussionist wore a huge grin while keeping the party going. During hits like “Tell Me Something Good” and “Sweet Thing,” her band two-stepped in formation. There’s a reason why she’s the blueprint for all the divas who’ve come after her. Looking regal with her hip-length red hair and belly dancer skirt, Khan drew listeners in with her bubbly on-stage presence. Chaka Khan performs at Blue Note Jazz Festival in St. Whether or not you grew up listening to Chaka Khan, her songs are a part of you, lodged in your subconscious and ready to awaken with the words “I’m Every Woman.” The queen of funk has perpetually reinvented herself since stepping out with her band Rufus in the early ’70s, and her tight, energetic set at Blue Note was packed with genre-defining hits of disco and R&B, inviting everyone to sing along. (Estefany Gonzalez) Chaka Khan’s High-Energy Hits Leave No Question She’s the Queen

(Estefany Gonzalez) Chaka Khan performs at Blue Note Jazz Festival in St. Nastia Voynovskaya The crowd at Blue Note Jazz Festival in St. Nonetheless, the atmosphere at Blue Note was noticeably laid back, and the musicians seemed more relaxed too, popping up in surprise cameos during each other’s sets, riffing with each other in endearing displays of mutual admiration. And the late addition of the Friday lineup frustrated some festival-goers who’d already spent money on travel and accommodations to attend Saturday and Sunday. During busy times, the few food vendors created long lines, and crowds entering the main stage often bottlenecked around a bar area. The no-phone policy at the main stage (audience members had to seal them inside locked Yondr pouches) created an in-the-moment atmosphere where you could be present. The festival grounds were small, and the schedule was fairly sparse, making it possible to meander-rather than book it-from stage to stage.

Musical powerhouses with decades of hits, including Chaka Khan, Maxwell and Snoop Dogg, gave stellar performances. Over the July 29–31 weekend, Blue Note attracted a grown-and-sexy audience-mostly in their 30s, 40s, 50s and up, and significantly more diverse than Napa Valley's other festival, BottleRock-to a bucolic setting at the tree-lined Charles Krug Winery in St. But if you’re really, really into jazz, soul and hip-hop-and are the type to nerd out about seeing the highest caliber of instrumentalists-this was an experience worth the splurge. It may have been pricey, and the rural location quite a trek from the Bay Area’s urban centers. The Blue Note Jazz Festival in Napa Valley was certainly the latter. But there’s also something to be said for a more niche, curated experience.

There are benefits to giant festivals like Coachella or Outside Lands, where you can see a year’s worth of performances in a single weekend.

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