SPRINGFIELD - The lilting sounds of big band music, jazz and merengue drifted over the downtown on Saturday, drawing about 1,000 people to Court Square during what emerged as a banner weekend for the city.

Spectacular blue skies. Legendary basketball stars. A top notch lineup for the Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival, where tons of people set up chairs on the city's green to listen to the likes of Phil Woods with the Greg Caputo Big Band, Mikata, and the Charmaine Neville Band featuring Charles Neville of the famed musical family.

Nearly each act brought down the house and meanwhile, Charmaine Neville and 22-year-old saxophone phenom Grace Kelly offered music workshops at the nearby Community Music School on State Street.

"This makes me proud to live in Springfield. I wish they had things like this more often," said resident Mindy Garcia, who came down for the festival with her husband, Edward Garcia.

The festival, which was free, also featured a beer tent and local food vendors including Adolfo's, Nadim's, the Q Restaurant and Elegant Affairs.

"It's not Newport - yet!" Mayor Domenic J. Sarno joked to the crowd before presenting Woods, a Springfield native and graduate of the former Springfield Technical High School, with a key to the city.

"I don't give many of these out," Sarno said, estimating that he has bestowed less than a handful throughout his three terms as mayor.

Woods, 82, went to the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City and has played alto saxophone with Count Basie, Quincy Jones and Billy Joel, to name a few.

"I couldn't be more proud," he told the crowd. "My parents always told me to be the best at whatever I did, so I'm trying to do that."

Ambassador Evan Plotkin, a downtown real estate developer and one of the primary organizers of the event, said jazz music unites crowds like few other art forms.

"I love music, I love jazz, and I love things that bring people together. There's nothing like jazz to bring people together," Plotkin said. "It's like a perfect storm."

This year's jazz festival revived a jazz festival founded by former city worker John G. Osborn, who also was honored at the festival. This was the first in four years, Plotkin said.