Jazz pianist Alan King, left, entertains at the Southern Maryland Wine, Jazz, R&B and Funk Festival at the Calvert County Fairgrounds Saturday, Aug. 1.

Barstow, MD – The weather was hot but the music sure was cool—and the variety of wine gave the party some great taste. The first-ever Wine, Jazz, R&B and Funk Festival was held Saturday, Aug. 1 at the Calvert County Fairgrounds in Barstow.

The 10-hour festival showcased a variety of musical acts. Event organizer Onyx Linthicum Jr. told The BayNet that most of the featured acts are regional “home grown talent.”

The crowd-pleasing lineup included pianist Alan King, Brencore Allstars, keyboardist Elliot Levine, jazz trumpeter and Baltimore resident Isaac Byrd Jr., Washington, DC smooth jazz group the Mike Stephens Project, guitarist Brian Lanier, Band of Roses and smooth jazz guitarist David P. Stevens.

“We want to introduce great talent, give them more exposure,” said Linthicum, who declared, “Calvert County is a great place to hold events.”

Several wineries from around the state served up their product samplings to the eager and thirsty fest-goers. Many food vendors, serving up chicken, crab cakes and other culinary favorites, prepared onsite, also pleased the adult crowd. Other retail vendors also sold items to attendees.

A portion of the festival’s proceeds will help support vocational programs in Calvert County. Linthicum said the funds will be distributed in the form of scholarships to students who are unable to afford the tools needed to participate in vocational training within the county’s public school system. The grants will be awarded in cooperation with the county’s Career and Technology Academy.

Linthicum said his vision is to make the Wine, Jazz, R&B and Funk Festival a growing annual event that helps support the county’s businesses.

“Showcase talent, showcase businesses—make it a fun place where people could come and enjoy the county,” he said.

The 2015 Wine, Jazz, R&B and Funk Festival was a presentation of Vendor Nation. Festival officials estimated Monday, Aug. 3 that over 3,000 people attended the event.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com