TheQuartering [8/4/2022]
Napa Valley isn’t sitting well with Dave Chappelle after Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa Valley. On the second final night of the three-day festival on Sunday (July 31), the comedian attempted to get headliner Robert Glasper to close out the concert. At the time, just after 10 PM when Maxwell ended his performance, Napa Valley’s noise ordinance policy went into effect.
“Robert, real quick, let’s be late. They’re not going to kill us,” Chappelle said, according to Datebook. “We’re going to close this festival. We got to. Trust me on this. The keyboards are right there, Robert.”
“Napa Valley, forgive us for disrespecting your noise ordinance,” Chappelle said. “It’s not noise. This is the best that America has to offer in music. What a festival. What a weekend. What a group of people standing in front of me.”
The previous night, Chappelle pushed for rap duo Black Star to continue their set past 10:30 PM. While urging Robert Glasper to perform on Sunday night, Chappelle sensed that festival organizers were hesitant to proceed.
“They won’t do it,” Chappelle said. “Could you imagine if Martin Luther King wanted to do the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech but they wouldn’t turn the sound on?”
The comedian continued to call out to the Black Radio III artist. “Robert, sit on the piano and hope for the best. We’ve got to close the festival,” Chappelle said. I’m only here because of you. Make some noise for your bandleader, Robert Glasper! You’ve got to do it. You’ve got to do it, please. Whoever is in charge, get us out of here the easy way. Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert, Robert.”
Chappelle then threatened to “never return” to Napa Valley if his demand wasn’t met by the festival.