The Downtown Durham Art of Cool Fest 2017 begins Thursday April 27 and continues jamming through Sunday April 30. During this fourth annual event, there will be many talented artists performing at several popular Durham venues. Durham is home to several musicians including jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis and six-time Grammy-nominated singer Nnenna Freelon.
Art of Cool Fest Artists:
- Christian Scott
- Common
- De’Sean Jones
- DJ Complex
- DJ Double J
- Empire Strikes Brass
- George Clinton
- Goldlink
- JMSN
- Jus Once Band
- Just Blaze
- Kenneth Whalum
- Kindred the Family Soul
- Kooley High
- Lauren Talese
- Makaya McCraven
- Marquis Hill
- Masego
- Matthew Stevens
- Nance
- Nao
- OC From NC and BSquared
- Rakim
- RC and the Gritz
- Revive Big Band
- Rkhty
- R.LUM.R
- Shaun Martin
- Sky Blue
- Sputnik
- St. Beauty
- Stella Santana
- Terrance Martin and the Polly Seeds
- The Baylor Project
- The Beast
- Theo Croker
- Will Wildfire
- Zoocru
Art of Cool Speakers:
- Angie Jones
- Aaron Saunders
- Cedric Brown
- Celeste Beatty
- Donald Thompson
- Dr. Khaalisha Ajala
- Keven “The Moose” Anderson
- Leigh-Kathryn Bonner
- Luisa Covaria
- Montez “The Whiz” Martin
- Pierce Freelon
- Rashad West
- Scott Shigeoka
- Shanti Das
- Tru Pettigrew
- William Spruill
Art of Cool Fest Venues:
- American Underground (office & coworking space, community & events, Google for entrepreneurs tech hub)
- Beyu Caffe (a local coffee shop, restaurant, bar, and live jazz club all in one)
- Carolina Theatre (presents live concerts, daily films, and film festivals)
- DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center)
- Durham Armory (local community and private events space)
- Durham Convention Center
- Durham Hotel Rooftop
- Motorco Music Hall (Durham entertainment and events space)
- Museum of Durham History
- Pinhook (live music, dance parties, and creative events)
- PSI Theatre at Durham Arts Council (performances, business meetings, and more)
- The Blue Note Grill (live music venue with full-service restaurant and bar)
- The Stack at American Tobacco (impromptu place for casual concerts and get-togethers)
The Art of Cool Project presents high quality music concerts and events in unique venues throughout the Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill). Art of Cool was founded in Durham, North Carolina and spearheaded by jazz trumpeter and educator, Albert Strong IV, and Cicely Mitchell, of Al Strong Music Productions. They have a desire to build and celebrate community and take joy in providing every audience member with a great night out.
We invite you to be guests of our lovely Morehead Manor Bed and Breakfast in Durham, North Carolina. We are conveniently close to all the Art of Cool Fest Venues as well as other amazing places like the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. We are honored that Black Enterprise Magazine named us the #1 black-owned bed and breakfast in America.