Robert Glasper, Dave Chappelle and Dwyane Wade share the stage at Blue Note Jazz Festival at Silverado Resort in Napa, Calif. on July 29, 2023. Derek Fisher/STAFF.

NAPA — Thousands of jazz and hip-hop enthusiasts turned out to the Silverado Resort and Spa on Saturday on the second day of the Blue Note Jazz Festival, hosted by pianist-producer Robert Glasper and his friend, comedian Dave Chappelle. Rapper Nas headlined the day’s lineup.

The second year of the festival brought a change of venue, from Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena. The expansive Silverado Resort is closer to downtown Napa and host more large events, like an annual PGA Tour event in September. Festival attendees who attended both years said the new location was an improvement.

Celebrities also came out for the event. We spotted the likes of actors Lynn Whitfield, Gabrielle Union (wife of basketball star Dwayne Wade, who was also there pouring his own wine), Craig Robinson and Amanda Seales.

Nas performs at Blue Note Jazz Festival at Silverado Resort in Napa, Calif. on July 29, 2023.

Despite the larger footprint, the festival remained much smaller and more intimate than BottleRock Napa, with just three stages.  The Black Radio stage was the focal point of the event, with little overlap with the two smaller Footprints and Blue Note stages, the latter of which featured emerging artists. The food options were also plentiful, including barbecue from Stateline Road Smokehouse and the popular Chef D By The Bay serving fish and oysters. Bars offered cocktails featuring wine and spirit lines like D’ussé Cognac, partially owned by Jay-Z and the aforementioned Wade Cellars, owned by Dwane Wade.

Millennials, Gen-Xers and parents with kids dominated the crowd. The weather was toasty, with temperatures in the high 80s in the early afternoon, and attendees tried to find shade throughout the festival grounds. The day got off slowly but by 4 p.m. the grounds were packed, but there were still many on hand to see acts that performed earlier in the afternoon.

Thousands packed the area in front of the main stage for headliner Nas.

Stepping onto the stage, short dreads woven into rows atop his head, Jesus-piece swinging and rocking the black Air Force Ones he’s been known to rap about, Nas appeared to be in good spirits, smiling and performing with charisma and enthusiasm. He was backed up by a lone hype-man and singer who chimed in on some of the singing parts of his classic hits. Instead of focusing on newer material, Nas homed in on the sweet spot of familiarity on hits like “One Mic,” Lauren Hill collaboration “If I Ruled The World,” “Hate Me Now” and “N.Y. State of Mind.”

Robert Glasper, Dave Chappelle, Lalah Hathaway, Terrace Martin and Tarriona “Tank” Ball onstage at Blue Note Jazz Festival at Silverado Resort in Napa, Calif. on July 29, 2023.

He kept the songs rolling with few breaks, until addressing the crowd after “One Mic.”

“I’m happy to see you. Thank y’all for rocking with me tonight! The jazz note thang, the Blue Note thang, hip-hop shit!”

He followed with a medley that included “Street Dreams,” from the 1996’s It Was Written. Fans danced along to the music, repeating some of his iconic lyrics word for word. For a few moments during set-closer “If I Ruled The World,” it truly felt like he did.

BJ The Chicago Kid put on a dynamic set, highlighting some of his favorite artists from the Footprints stage. Backed by a band that included a small brass section, he worked through material like SWV’s “Weak,” and D’Angelo’s “How Does It Feel?” He also covered his popular collaboration with TDE’s ScHoolboy Q, “Studio.”

Robert Glasper brought out a multitude of stars during his nearly two-hour set. He kicked it off by introducing Dave Chappelle and Wade, who also had the distinction of serving as the festival’s “director of culture and vibes.” Chappelle cracked some one-liners and then Glasper’s band got to work.

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade at Blue Note Jazz Festival at Silverado Resort in Napa, Calif. on July 29, 2023.

The ensemble included guitarist Isaiah Sharkey, saxophonist and Glasper’s Dinner Party bandmate, Terrace Martin and The Roots’ keyboardist James Poyser. Each song had a different vocalist, and the impressive list included Lalah Hathaway, Tarriona “Tank” Ball (from Tank and The Bangas) and comedian/actor Affion Crockett. Hathaway sang Jill Scott’s “The Way” and Tank joined her on Tears For Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” adding in a spoken-word component that drew some to their feet.

Talib Kweli was joined by Madlib, bringing his signature style and lyricism. He moved with ease and addressed the crowd, asking for others to support reparations. The massive bass in his tracks caused some distortion but by the third song the issue had been resolved. He ended his set on a high note with “Get By.”

Blue Note Jazz Festival at Silverado Resort in Napa, Calif. on July 29, 2023.

Digable Planets seemed as youthful in their Saturday afternoon performance as they had been decades earlier. Ishmael “Butterfly” Butler, Ladybug Mecca and Doodlebug opted for the jazzier versions of classic tunes like “Nickel Bag of Funk” and “Cool Like That.”

Earlier in the afternoon, Meshell Ndegeocello still drew a strong, supportive crowd. Performing with a full band on the Black Radio stage, she invoked a relaxed, jazzy vibe. With decades of crafting songs that ride the edge of jazz, R&B and hip-hop, she moved between playing keys, bass, singing and rapping her spoken-word lyrics at a smooth, silky cadence. She was joined by vocalist Justin Hicks, who sang lead on one of his own songs.

Follow Mel Bowman at Twitter.com/melmichel. Follow photographer Derek Fisher at Instagram.com/dfishswish.