There’s no better pulse-pounding three days in downtown than San Jose Jazz Summer Fest weekend, and Friday’s opening night was a perfect example of why. Music just flooded downtown all night — from the festival stages to the bars and restaurants on South First Street and San Pedro Square.

The good vibes started building when Grammy-nominated vocalist José James started things off on the Jay Paul Company Main Stage, getting the Plaza de Cesar Chavez crowd energized with his music and a few shoutouts about how much he appreciated being in San Jose. That energy continued through a set by Ghost-Note that followed and and all the way up through the climax of the night, a 90-minute performance by Grammy-winning rapper Common. • Common performs during the 35th annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest

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