Atlanta Jazz Fest lineup is finalized
The lineup for the 36th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival has been unveiled , giving jazz fans some help in making their Memorial Day Weekend plans.
This year's affair will launch on May 24 with a 7:30 p.m. ticketed concert at Chastain Park Amphitheatre starring BWB – Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum and Norman Brown – with guest Chrisette Michele. Tickets for the show are $35-$55 and on sale at 10 a.m. Friday via all Ticketmaster outlets or 1-800-745-3000.
Here’s the rundown for the rest of that weekend:
At Piedmont Park –, May 25 (free)
On the main stage:
1 p.m. - Youth Jazz Band Competition Winner: Stephenson High School Jazz Ensemble
3 p.m. - The Aaron Diehl Quartet
5 p.m. - Alexandra Jackson
7 p.m. Meshell Ndegeochello: A Dedication to Nina Simone
9 p.m. - The Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet
On the International stage:
2 p.m. - Youth Jazz Band Competition Winner: Tri-Cities High School Jazz Band
3:3 0 p.m. - Aruán Ortiz
5 p.m. - Rio Negro
6:30 p.m. - Cécile McLorin Salvant
At Piedmont Park –, May 26 (free)
On the main stage:
1 p.m. - Youth Jazz Band Competition Winner: North Atlanta Center For The Arts Jazz Band
3 p.m. - Rialto Jazz For Kids
5 p.m. - Jacob Deaton and the Tribulation Band
7 p.m. - Gretchen Parlato
9 p.m. Tia Fuller
On the International stage:
3:30 p.m. - Youth Jazz Band Competition Winner: J.C. Young Middle School Jazz Ensemble
5 p.m. - Ginou
6:30 p.m. - Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Gamak
At Loews Atlanta Hotel – Sunday, May 26 (ticketed show)
10 p.m. - Dionne Farris with The Russell Gunn Quartet. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. On sale now via www.ticketalternative.com or 1-877-725-8849.
At Piedmont Park – May 27 (free)
On the main stage:
1 p.m. - Youth Jazz Band Competition Winner: Benjamin E. Mays High School Jazz Orchestra
3 p.m. - Rialto Youth Jazz Orchestra
5 p.m. - Julie Dexter
7 p.m. - Dominick Farinacci
9 p.m. - Jose James
On the International stage:
3:30 p.m. - Youth Jazz Band Competition Winner: Westlake High School Jazz Ensemble
5 p.m. - The Uri Gurvich Quartet
6:30 p.m. - The Miguel Zenón Quartet
Attendees can also download the Atlanta Jazz app from their Google Play store for Android or iPhones. For more information, visit the fest's website.
About the Author
Melissa Ruggieri has covered music and entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 2010 and created the Atlanta Music Scene blog. She's kept vampire hours for more than two decades and remembers when MTV was awesome.
