Building Community through Jazz
Kicks Off on the Fourth of July
Another summer of smooth jazz sounds kicks off on Independence Day in the Magic City with the first of the annual series of JAZZ IN THE PARK® from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Birmingham’s Caldwell Park, located on the Southside at 26th Street South and Highland Avenue. The Neo Jazz Collective, Birmingham’s premier youth jazz ensemble, will begin the afternoon with an outstanding performance of jazz, R&B, and neo-soul music. Drummer extraordinaire Fred Spraggins follows with an enthusiastic show. Rounding out the evening will be a trio of outstanding saxophonists: Vann Burchfield, Dwight Houston, and James Crumb, Jr. Burchfield beat Kenny G’s Guinness World Record for circular breathing, played multiple times at the White House and the Alabama governor’s mansion, and was featured on the cover of Saxophone Journal magazine. Houston is world renowned, having played with such greats as Diana Washington and with his own group, “On Purpose.” Crumb is known for his gifted musical styling with the N’Fusion band.
The free concerts continue every Sunday afternoon from July 10-September 4:
Sun., July 10
W. C. Patton Park
Neo Jazz Collective
Roland Gresham
Kenneth Williams
Sun., July 17
Ensley Park
Neo Jazz Collective
Laser’s Edge
Southpax Saxes
Sun., July 24
East Lake Park
Neo Jazz Collective
T.A.D. of Jazz
Vann Burchfield
Sun., July 31
Legion Field
Neo Jazz Collective
Left Field
Shaun Pezant Trio
N’Fusion
Featuring James Crumb, Jr.
Sun., August 7
Botanical Gardens
Neo Jazz Collective
Kim Scott
Keith Williams
Sun., August 14
Vulcan Park
Neo Jazz Collective
Tena Wilson
Goodfellas
On Purpose
Sun., August 21
Tom Bradford Park
Neo Jazz Collective
Overfloe
Jose Carr
Sun., August 28
Sidewalk Film Festival
Neo Jazz Collective
Foxy Fatts
RAW Jazz Trio
Sun., September 4
Railroad Park
Neo Jazz Collective
Rickey Powell
Heritage Band
Dee Lucas
JAZZ IN THE PARK® is an effort by the non-profit organization, Magic City Smooth Jazz, to increase cultural activities in neighborhoods and communities in the Greater Birmingham area by presenting a series of FREE summer performances in various parks and provide a platform on which local jazz artists can showcase their talents and unique artistic style of music of contemporary, straight-ahead, and Latin jazz. This second annual series is made possible by the generous support of the City of Birmingham; Waldrep, Stewart, & Kendrick, LLC; Alabama Power; AT&T; BlueCross and BlueShield of Alabama; NHB Group, LLC; Community Coffee, Coca-Cola; Wells Fargo Foundation; Alabama State Council on the Arts; Samford University’s WVSU-FM; Patti Moss Williams Communications; The Robert R. Myer Foundation; Daniel Foundation; and the Joseph S. Bruno Charitable Foundation. Additional sponsors are needed and appreciated to insure the continued success of these free events.
Bring your lawn chairs and coolers, and enjoy the music!
For more information, visit www.magiccitysmoothjazz or call 205-616-1735.
