HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES, SANCHEZ, AND LEON COLDERO TO CLOSE OUT THE JULY 4TH 'FESTIVAL OF LIFE'

Over the years, the soothing vocals of Melvin and the Blue Notes have delivered some of the greatest songs of our time and have shaped the history of R&B. Best known for songs such as “Wake Up Everybody,” “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” “Hope That We Can Be Together Soon,” “The Love I Lost,” “I Miss You,” just to name a few. Many of their hits have been re-recorded by other artists, including Simply Red, David Ruffin, Jimmy Somerville, Sybil, Kanye West, Jay-Z, and John Legend.

Sanchez, who is making his first Festival of Life appearance, is creating a major buzz among fans. The gifted balladeer has molded him-self over the years into a powerful reggae brand with a massive following of fans young and old from all walks of life. Sanchez erupted on the reggae scene at Reggae Sun splash in 1988.
His iconic single, Lonely Won’t Leave Me Alone, a remake of a Jermaine Jackson album cut, set Sanchez’s career in motion. With some thirty albums under his belt, his vast catalogue includes favorites like “Baby Can I Hold You,” “Never Dies The Man,” “One In A Million,” “Let Me Love You Down,” “Frenzy,” “A Change Is Gonna Come,” “Amazing Grace,” and “Old Friends.”
Leon Colder is no stranger to the stage and has, over the years, graced the music industry with superb performances throughout the Caribbean, Canada, the United States, and Europe. Dubbed The Original Winer Boy, he has held close to his heart the world of Soca, which he has uniquely flavored with his reggae crossover. The former Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, lead singer Coldero’s name signals pure excitement, superb entertainment, and an energy that emanates throughout every performance.
In 1997 Leon Coldero was nominated Soca Male Artist of the Year for his smash hits Bicycle and Rain. His album titled Strictly Soca was nominated runner-up for best selling album in 1998. In addition to his new band; Code-868, Coldero has released two new albums Miles Ahead; featuring the hit song “Soufriere,” and Big Appetite featuring hits such as “Boxing,” “Sugar Cane,” and the title track “Big Appetite.”
More than 70 Reggae, World Music, Pop, R&B, Gospel, Latin, Rock, blues, Jazz and other international, national and local acts will entertain on three stages in Union Park. Among the other performers are: Reggae Ambassador, Third World on Thursday, Luciano on Friday, International Blues star and multiple Chicago Music Awards winner Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues on Saturday, and other phenomenal performers, such as Inner Circle, Lova Boy and others.