Summer jazz performers take music lessons to City schools

The 2018 Jazz in the Park-Huntsville is rapidly becoming one of the hottest summer concert series in town.

Crowds of about 2,500 – 3,000 brought blankets and lawn chairs to Big Spring Park each week to hear a lineup of world-class series of artists during the five-Sunday September series. The headliners, who record and perform internationally, included keyboardist Gail Jhonson, guitarist Adam Hawley, flautist Kim Scott, keyboardist Brian Simpson and trumpeter Theo Croker.

The 2018 Jazz in the Park Huntsville drew about 15,000 people downtown during the five-Sunday series.

The musicians gained a host of younger fans this year through a new partnership with Huntsville City Schools to provide music education workshops. Four of the headline artists visited with students at four area schools and shared their experiences and insights about the music industry and life.

Jazz in the Park 2018 goes into the schools

First Lady of Smooth Jazz Gail Jhonson and music teacher Jennifer Strickland play in sweet harmony for 4th and 5th graders at The Academy for Academics & Arts.

Guitarist and educator Dr. Adam Hawley and the Columbia High School Marching Band pose for a photo after an informative and inspiring music education workshop on September 10.

Flautist Kim Scott speaks candidly about the music industry and the importance of education and training with Jemison High School music students on September 17.

Acclaimed trumpeter and classically trained Theo Croker talks about music and life skills with Lee High School Marching Band students on October 1.

Jazz in the Park – Huntsville (JITPH) is a collaboration between the City of Huntsville Office of Multicultural Affairs and Magic City Smooth Jazz, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cultural activities throughout the state through various styles of jazz in Alabama at no cost to the public.

JITPH was produced in collaboration with local partners including presenting sponsor Lexus of Huntsville, PNC Bank, WZDX TV 54, Royal Funeral Home, Buffalo Rock Company, Drake State Community & Technical College, Royal Funeral Home, Acacia Moore, Alabama A&M University, Bryant Bank, Madison County Commissioner JesHenry Malone, Madison County Legislators Laura Hall, Mike Ball and Rex Reynolds, Renasant Bank, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Reliable Tax Solutions, Huntsville-Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, City of Huntsville (multiple departments), WJAB 90.9 FM, Arts Huntsville and WBHP 94.1 FM.