September Brings the Best of Jazz to Big Spring Park
Published on August 27, 2019
The annual Jazz in the Park concert series starts this weekend, which means it’s time to get out your camp chair and head to Big Spring Park East to experience world-class jazz musicians, young and seasoned, for a series of free concerts each Sunday in September.
Jazz in the Park – Huntsville is part of a statewide concert series that seeks to build community through jazz music. Now in its 10 th year, the series is offering 29 performances across the state, including five concerts in Huntsville. The program is made possible by grants and community partnerships.
“Music is a universal language. When people come out here for Jazz in the Park they have an opportunity to connect with people across the whole spectrum of our community,” says Kenny Anderson, Multicultural Affairs Officer for the City of Huntsville.
Jazz in the Park – Huntsville includes music education workshops with local students. The workshops expose young people to high caliber jazz recording artists and cover topics such as improvisation, section playing, tuning, intonation, and more.
This year, in addition to the music-focused workshops with leading artists, Jazz in the Park will feature pre-event mini-concerts highlighting local school jazz bands.
“Jazz in the Park is one of those events that the entire community can enjoy,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “With the added emphasis on music education, we are passing the art of jazz to the next generation.”
“These young people are our performers and musicians for the future and they are going to get so much out of this experience,” says Kenny Anderson, Director of Multicultural Affairs.
Jazz in the Park – Huntsville 2019 Concert Series
September 1
5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Pre-Concert – Jemison High Jazz Band
6 p.m – 7 p.m. Opening – B. Alexandria
7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Headliner- Ryon Schultz
September 8
5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Pre-Concert – Columbia High Jazz Band
6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Opening – Nu Soul
7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Headliner – Daniel D
September 15
5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Pre-Concert – Huntsville High Jazz Band
6 p.m.-7 p.m. Opening Act – The Watters-Felts Project
7:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Headliner – James ‘P. J.’ Spraggins
September 22
5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Pre-Concert – Hampton Cover MS Jazz Band
6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Opening – Rocket City Jazz Orchestra
7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Headliner – Jeffery Smith
September 29
5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Pre-Concert – Grissom High Jazz Band
6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Opening – Rocket City Collegiate All-Star Jazz Band
7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Headliner – Julian Vaughn