The Atlanta Jazz Festival went virtual for 2020, and organizers tell us they hope to bring back the live event this fall.
We received this info in a press statement:
The 43rd annual Atlanta Jazz Festival is anticipated to take place in fall 2021, after the release of Mayor Bottoms’ moratorium on large outdoor events. The Festival will be rescheduled from its traditional Memorial Day Weekend date out of an abundance of caution due to the continued COVID-19 pandemic and will follow all COVID-19 guidelines as determined by Georgia and the City of Atlanta at the date of the Festival. Updates will be announced on the Atlanta Jazz Festival website and social media channels. For more information, visit www.atlantafestivals.com.
Meanwhile, the Jazz Festival is hosting a series of free virtual jazz talks called In the Tradition. They are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, April 6th and run on select Tuesdays through August 31, 2021.
The 18-episode series will feature jazz artists being interviewed by local Atlanta jazz and art leaders.
You have multiple ways to view the live video interviews:
“We’re excited to present this safe and free virtual interview series to jazz lovers both here in Atlanta and afar,” said Camille Russell Love, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, in a press statement. “It’s our hope that these interviews will spark a deeper appreciation for one of our country’s original art forms and inspire the public to join us at the Atlanta Jazz Festival, which is anticipated to move to fall 2021 when large outdoor events are safe.”
In the Tradition programming schedule
All shows will go live at 7:30 p.m.
April 6 – Brenda NNicole Moorer/Vocal, interviewed by Rene Miller of WJZA-AM/FM
April 13 – Isaiah Sharkey/Guitar, interviewed by Rene Miller of WJZA-AM/FM
April 20 – Michael Phillips/Saxophone, interviewed by Rene Miller of WJZA-AM/FM
April 27 – Irreversible Entanglements/Band, interviewed by Rene Miller of WJZA-AM/FM
May 4 – Laurin Talese/Vocal, interviewed by Ray Cornelius of WCLK-FM
May 11 – Alexey Marti/Percussion, interviewed by Jamal Ahmad of WCLK-FM
May 18 – Theo Croker/Trumpet, interviewed by Debb Moore of WCLK-FM
May 25 – Miguel Zenon/Saxophone, interviewed by Ray Cornelius of WCLK-FM
June 8 – Patti Austin, interviewed by Gail O’Neill
June 22 – Archie Shepp/Saxophone, interviewed by Dwight Andrews
July 6 – Karla Harris/Vocal, interviewed by Ray Cornelius of WCLK-FM
July 20 – Pasquale Grasso/Guitar, interviewed by Rivablue of WCLK-FM
July 27 – Logan Richardson/Alto Saxophone, interviewed by Dwight Andrews
August 3 – Yuko Mabuchi/Piano, interviewed by Carl Anthony
August 10 – Ryan Kilgore/Saxophone, interviewed by Dwight Andrews
August 17 – Jazzmeia Horn, interviewed by Gail O’Neill
August 24 – Sean Jones/Trumpet, interviewed by Dwight Andrews
August 31 – Ron Carter/Bass, interviewed by Carl Anthony
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Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Friday, July 30, 2021
Saturday, July 31, 2021
Sunday, August 1, 2021
Monday, August 2, 2021
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
Note that content below this point is from last year and is not current.
Don’t miss the fun and excitement at the annual Atlanta Jazz Festival in Piedmont Park, one of the country’s largest FREE jazz festivals.
It takes place on Saturday, May 25th and Sunday, May 26th in 2019.
Over the years the Atlanta Jazz Festival has been backdrop to musical legends such as Miles Davis, Dizzie Gillespie and Nina Simone.
Saturday, May 25, 2019
Park Drive Stage:
12:30 p.m. Avery Dixon, Saxophone Extraordinaire
2:30 p.m. Joel Ross ‘Good Vibes’
4:30 p.m. Christian Sands
6:30 p.m. Makaya McCraven
Oak Hill Stage:
1:30 p.m. Ofer Assaf Quartet
3:30 p.m. Delfeayo Marsalis
5:30 p.m. Takuya Kuroda
7:30 p.m. Richard Bona
Meadow Stage:
1 p.m. Alicia Olatuja
3 p.m. Stefon Harris + Blackout
5 p.m. Rhonda Ross & Rodney Kendrick
7 p.m. Marcus Strickland ‘Twi-Life’ feat. Pharoahe Monche
9 p.m. Lizz Wright
Sunday, May 26, 2019
Park Drive Stage:
12:30 p.m. Rialto Jazz for Kids
2:30 p.m. Nicole Banks Long
4:30 p.m. Slim Gambill
6:30 p.m. Michael Mayo
Oak Hill Stage:
1:30 p.m. The Kenny Banks, Jr. Trio
3:30 p.m. OKCello
5:30 p.m Freelance
7:30 p.m. Kandace Springs
Meadow Stage:
1 p.m. The Milkshake Quintet
3 p.m. Alex Lattimore
5 p.m. Gary Motley
7 p.m. Rhonda Thomas
9 p.m. The Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra
You may also be interested in these FREE summer concert series:
Wine Down Weekends at City Winery
Norcross Summer Concert Series
Avalon Nights Live
Oakhurst Jazz Nights
Concerts by the Springs in Sandy Springs
Sunset Sessions at Park Tavern
Block Party on Main in Duluth
First Fridays in Canton
Chamblee Summer Concert Series
Brooke Street Park Summer Concerts in Alpharetta
Getting there and parking
If you don’t want to be towed or ticketed, PLEASE don’t park illegally. Your best bet is to leave the car at home and take MARTA to the festival.
MARTA has an excellent, detailed guide with step-by-step walking directions from the rail stations, as well as the bus routes that get you closer to the park. View it online.
It’s an easy 15 to 20 minute walk to Piedmont Park from either Arts Center Station or Midtown Station. Which station you choose to exit at depends on which side of the festival you want to hit up first (Midtown is closer to the Midway rides, while Arts Center is closer to the Artist Market).
You can park your car for FREE at the following rail stations:
- Lindbergh
- Lenox
- Brookhaven
- Chamblee
- Doraville
- Dunwoody
- Sandy Springs
- North Springs
- College Point
- East Point
- Lakewood
- West End
TIP: Purchase a Breeze Card in advance if you don’t have one. If you do, add a round trip fare online, so you don’t have to wait at a fare machine. Remember, trains run every 20 minutes on the weekend. The MARTA ON THE GO app can put train schedules in your pocket!
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