Earth Wind and Fire stormed the Merriweather Post Pavillion in Columbia Maryland, for the 26th annual Capital Jazz Festival on Friday, June 1, 2018. They were preceded by opening acts, Butterscotch and Ledisi who both gave outstanding performances in their own right. It was actually the calm before the storm as the audience waited patiently for EWF to come on stage.
As I sat in my seat, I listened to some of the conversations of audience members talking to others about their favorite EWF songs. Most people had come the first night just to see Earth Wind and Fire perform. The gentlemen sitting next to me admitted he came from Florida because EWF’s tour schedule did not reflect them playing there this year. He told me “I have been a big Fan since the inception of EWF and it was worth the trip from Florida”. I was in awe because I thought coming from NY was quite a distance for me to travel just to see a famous band play. But, I too felt it was worth it!
Earth Wind and Fire is not a music force to be reckoned with, they are just as great today as they were yesteryear. The R&B, Jazz and Funk group was founded on January 1, 1970, by Maurice White. He stated during that time period, he wanted their music to “convey messages of universal love and harmony without force-feeding listeners’ spiritual content.” He did just that, because every time EWF performs, they light up the stage with such essence and energy. You can feel the excitement and emotion from the audience who are usually singing along with them. EWF is a group that engages their audience which we all love.
Popular hit songs like, “September”, Reasons”, Boogie Wonderland and “Shining Star” are just some of the songs this iconic, and classic group spewed out at Friday nights Jazz Fest. You could hear the roar of the audience as each song was belted out, and when lead singer Phillip Bailey graced the stage with his distinct falsetto voice and extraordinary range it was like a raging firestorm.
Mr. Bailey proceeded to introduce himself and two other original EWF members, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson. He also introduced his son Phillip Bailey Jr who sings as good as his Dad. 
Lastly, EWF loves to engage their audience to sing with them, not only did the fans loved it but, after each song, they were given the biggest applause for their outstanding performance. So, the next time you go to an Earth Wind and Fire concert expect to be dancing and singing in your seat with a group that plays their music hard and every member is the real star of the night.
CHECK OUT EWF WEBSITE WITH A LIST OF THEIR TOUR DATES, BLOG, PHOTOS AND VIDEOS: http://www.earthwindandfire.com/blog/