To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Atlanta Jazz Festival, the Office of Cultural Affairs is presenting music lovers with some of the most prominent artists in jazz over Memorial Day weekend! This year’s headliners include Herbie Hancock Quartet, Pete Escovedo Orchestra with Sheila E. and Laws Family. The talent doesn’t end there. The Atlanta Jazz Festival also features The Bad Plus, Mike Phillips, Chieli Minucci and Special EFX, Flora Purim & Airto, Charles Tolliver Big Band and many more!
Organizers recently announced an incredible line-up and new additions to this year’s festival, taking place May 26 - May 28, 2007, in Piedmont Park. During the month of May, music aficionados can celebrate 31 Days of Jazz with special events that lead up to festivities taking place over Memorial Day Weekend. Live jazz nightly at bars and nightclubs and dinner and jazz at some of Atlanta’s finest restaurants are just a few of the unique events that will take place throughout the city.
Along with the fantastic events scheduled for the 31 Days of Jazz, the Atlanta Jazz Festival is pleased to present the Soulful Sounds of the City Concert Series at Chastain Park Amphitheatre. Benefiting the programs of The Office of Cultural Affairs for the City of Atlanta, this series features performances by nationally recognized musicians. On April 14, 2007, the Soulful Sounds of the City Concert Series kicks-off with an extraordinary evening with jazz greats George Benson and Al Jarreau, followed by Joe Sample and Randy Crawford on May 12. Closing this outstanding series will be the undisputed Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. Don’t miss your opportunity to see one of the greatest female vocalists of all time under the stars on September 1. Tickets for the Soulful Sounds of the City Concert Series are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at
www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 404-249-6400. For the first time you can purchase your tickets as a series or individually. Become a Series Holder and you will receive a discount on your purchase and secured seating for each concert. To purchase VIP pit tables, contact the Office of Cultural Affairs at 404-817-7907.
For more information on the talent line-up for this year’s festival, as well as an event press kit including artist bios and event schedules, visit
www.360media.net/clients_jazzfest.html.
Along with all of the amazing jazz performances on the main stage, festival goers will also be treated to some new and exciting additions to the Memorial Day weekend event. To highlight up and coming jazz talent, the Atlanta Jazz Festival has added the Future of Jazz stage, which will feature Ken Ford, Joe Sommerville, William Green, Yonrico Scott and more. In addition, the Atlanta Jazz Festival is pleased to present the Digital Village. At the Digital Village, attendees will be able to preview the latest music technology, including the ability to download music and onsite interviews from festival artists and much more! The festival will also feature the Atlanta Cultural Affairs Artist Market, an initiative for local artists who have not had the benefit of a gallery showing to exhibit their work to the public.