ENTERTAINMENT

New Edition, Fantasia top Cincinnati Music Festival lineup

Carol Motsinger
cmotsinger@enquirer.com
New Edition

Fantasia, Babyface, New Edition and Charlie Wilson top the 2016 Cincinnati Music Festival lineup.

The two-day annual rhythm and blues (R&B) festival returns to Paul Brown Stadium July 22-23. The 54-year-old event typically attracts more than 50,000 people from across the country.

Friday night features Fantasia, Babyface, New Edition and The Whispers. Saturday night includes Charlie Wilson, Leela James, Ledisi and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. Judith Hill and The Deele were also announced Tuesday morning.

Tickets go on sale Saturday and will be available through Ticketmaster.

In 2014, festival organizers announced that Procter & Gamble Co. would be the new presenting sponsor for the event originally known as Ohio Valley Jazz Festival. (It was also known as Cincinnati Jazz Festival for a period.)

The festival, which occupies two stages in Paul Brown Stadium, has long hosted a mix of both classic and modern R&B. It's also been a performance home for legends like Aretha Franklin, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder.

Last year's lineup included Maxwell, Jennifer Hudson, The O'Jays and Jill Scott. Fantasia, New Edition and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly have performed previously.

For more, visit the festival's website.