Blues legends and jazz masters in one-time-only productions; films, lectures and workshops to showcase a variety of musical genres; free outdoor performances on Callaway Plaza; new uses for a variety of spaces at the Woodruff

– The Woodruff Arts Center and the City of Atlanta announced the Montreux Jazz Festival in Atlanta, an ambitious three-day musical celebration featuring a broad array of concerts, lectures, films and workshops in partnership with Switzerland’s internationally acclaimed Montreux Jazz Festival. The Montreux Jazz Festival in Atlanta will take place Sept. 2-4 in a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces at the Woodruff Arts Center, offering music aficionados and fun-seekers the opportunity to experience musicians from distinct communities as they share their artistic and cultural heritage.

The three-day Montreux Jazz Festival in Atlanta will offer a unique showcase for more than 100 local, regional and internationally renowned musicians representing an abundance of musical styles and genres. Ticketed events will be held in Symphony Hall, the Rich Theatre, Center Space as well as the Alliance Theatre, which will be transformed into a “Latin dance party” and a “blues juke joint” during the festival. Woodruff’s Callaway Plaza will serve as an outdoor venue throughout the entire festival, featuring a variety of performances - all FREE to the public.

A myriad of jazz styles and musicians will be prominently highlighted throughout the Festival. Such heralded artists as Keith Jarrett, Eddie Palmieri, Bill Charlap, Jack DeJohnette and Dick Hyman will perform. Blues lovers will thrive on the veritable feast of blues legends that will play during the weekend, including Buddy Guy, Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Nappy Brown, Reverend Billy and Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin. Fans of soul, neo-soul, urban grooves and nu-jazz will love the invasion of contemporary British artists such as Mark de Clive Lowe, Julie Dexter and Soweto Kinch.

“The Woodruff Arts Center and the City of Atlanta are proud to be the exclusive North American home to the Montreux Jazz Festival,” said Shelton g. Stanfill, President and CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center. “The many renowned musicians participating in our concerts, workshops and jam sessions will ensure the Atlanta festival will live up to its distinguished namesake.”

Visitors to the Woodruff campus during this weekend will also be offered the opportunity to view selections from the famed Montreux Jazz Archives, which includes filmed footage of musical legends that have performed at the festival since 1968 such as Miles Davis, Ray Charles, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald and Marvin Gaye. Additionally, archival photos of great jazz figures as well as the original Montreux posters and other collectibles from the past 37 festivals will be on display.

Tickets go on sale in July and are available through the Woodruff’s box office, (404) 733-5000 or www.woodruffcentertickets.org. Prices will vary depending on venue with single tickets and packages available. Outdoor concerts are free.

The Midtown area around the Woodruff has many garages and lots with more than 12,000 parking spaces, not including street parking. (Please see the accompanying parking spreadsheet for locations and number of spaces.) The Arts Center Marta Station is located on Arts Center Way directly behind the Woodruff’s Memorial Arts Building. Use of Marta is encouraged.



Montreux Jazz Festival in Atlanta - Schedule of Events:

All workshops, lectures and additional concert information will be available in early July. For more information, visit www.woodruffcenter.org.