Huntsville drops lineup for Jazz in the Park series
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The 10th Jazz in the Park kicks off Sept. 7. Photo: Derek Lacey/Axios
Huntsville dropped the lineup Thursday for the 10th annual Jazz in the Park, which is set for September at Big Spring Park West with new partner Downtown Huntsville, Inc.
Why it matters: A staple since its 2015 debut, the free concert series is among the most-anticipated of the year, and coincides with Huntsville Music Month.
- On Mondays following concerts, musicians will head to local schools to teach students about jazz.
Zoom out: "We think that's a big win for our community," said Kenny Anderson, the now-retired former director of the city's Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
- Anderson helped establish Jazz in the Park with the late Bernard Lockhart, who founded Birmingham's Jazz in the Park.
- "You can only imagine how thrilled I am to see the sustainability of an event and a product that has had such a profound impact on our community and has brought some amazing people to the platform," he said.
What they're saying: "Jazz in the Park is more than just a concert series," Randy Barbour, director of Huntsville's Office of Multicultural Affairs, said Thursday. "It's a platform for culture, connection and community."
- "It's a way for us to honor a genre born from resilience, struggle and creative freedom, one that has given voice to so many stories, generations and icons," he said.
📢 Here's the lineup, with Anderson's input from the announcement:
Sunday, Sept. 7
- 5pm: Emily Joseph Band, who has "dazzled international audiences as female lead vocalist for BB King's All Star Band."
- 6pm: Kayoband featuring Kelley O'Neal, a local artist now based in Atlanta, who has performed with industry giants like The Temptations.
- 7:30pm: Phil Denny, a two-time No. 1 and 11-time Billboard-charting tenor saxophonist.
Sunday, Sept. 14
- 5pm: Izzy & The Jazz Addicts, a local act with "an eclectic blend of jazz, mainstream classics and spoken word."
- 6pm: Erisa Nicole, a saxophonist whose collaboration with guitarist Adam Hawley landed her on the Billboard smooth jazz chart.
- 7:30pm: Jazmin Ghent, Huntsville native and award-winning saxophonist with a PhD in Music Education and seven Billboard Top-5 singles.
Sunday, Sept. 21
- 5pm: Element XI, a Huntsville-based band which says they're known for a blend of electro-funk-hop soul, and "a local favorite for our community."
- 6pm: Gino Rosaria, a "phenomenal keyboardist" based in Pensacola, Fla.
- 7:30pm: Pamela Williams, a veteran saxophonist whose first album spent more than five months on the Billboard charts.
Sunday, Sept. 28
- 5pm: Kelvin Wooten, winner of multiple Grammys, who's "doing some amazing things in the music space," and bringing "an amazing band."
- 6pm: Phylicia Rae & Jacob Webb, "a jazz double-bass experience" who have seven No. 1 Billboard records under their belts.
- 7:30pm: BK Jackson, "an international saxophonist who electrifies audiences," and who has performed with Prince and Trombone Shorty.