Digital perfection has its place in music production, but it’s not for Adrian Younge. The self-taught producer and composer is enthralled with all things analog, preferring the controlled chaos of live musicians and vintage equipment to the fine-tuned, frictionless sheen of a modern studio. Whether making music for himself, creating tracks for hip hop royalty from the Wu-Tang Clan to Jay-Z to Kendrick Lamar, or scoring series like Marvel’s Luke Cage, his production is instantly recognizable: rich, raw, and deeply soulful.

Inspired by crate-digging culture, Younge sought to take things a step further with the Jazz Is Dead series, finding the sources of the samples that laid the foundations for hip hop and putting them back in the spotlight. Co-founded with musical kindred spirit Ali Shaheed Muhammad (A Tribe Called Quest), JID is a record label, a live music project, and an ironic statement of purpose for a project that’s all about living history: celebrating musical heroes by drawing out the finest performances of their careers.

Already 25 albums deep since its founding in 2020, JID’s artist roster is, frankly, absurd. The touring lineup is just a taste: Saxophonist Ronnie Laws, whose inventive, non-traditional fusion had him work with Jazz Crusaders and Hugh Masakela plus a stint in soul group Earth, Wind and Fire; Carlos Dafe, Brazil’s “Prince of Soul” whose 1977 debut helped define Black Brazilian music; and adventurous London-based vocalist Ala.ni. Any one of them would be worthy of taking centre stage at the festival. Together with Younge, more than a performance: it’s a musical celebration of life.

- Peter Hemminger