Jefferson Street Jazz & Blues Festival

JEFFERSON STREET JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL
SET FOR JUNE 19, 20
Citywide Festival Expected to Attract Thousands to Historic Area

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Music and good times are headed to historic Jefferson Street during the ninth annual Jefferson Street Jazz and Blues Festival.

The FREE event, which will be held from noon to midnight Saturday, June 20 on Jefferson Street between 26th and 28th avenues is sponsored by the Jefferson Street United Merchants Partnership – J.U.M.P.

The all star and diverse lineup will include Casmé, CJ Vaughn, Connye Florance, Joe Johnson, Herschel Bailey and an All Star Jam featuring Nick, Nixon, Johnny Jones, Lady Dianne and Marion James, among others.

Food and art vendors will line Jefferson Street, while area businesses will be open to showcase their goods and services. Many participating artists will also be available to meet fans and sign autographs.

The annual event is designed to attract residents and visitors to the revitalized corridor, which is historically an important artery through Nashville’s African American community.

“This is the perfect way for the whole family to spend the weekend listening to the great music that Nashville has to offer,” said Sharon Hurt, executive director of J.U.M.P.

“This event continues to bring thousands of people to North Nashville, many who would not normally visit the area. The festival continues to grow and we expecting nearly 20,000 people to line the historic street that once attracted popular R&B artists like Little Richard, Ray Charles, Jimi Hendrix and Fats Domino.”

Aside from the experiencing great jazz, R&B and neosoul, festival goers will have the opportunity to learn about the Nashville Freedom Riders as Kwame Lillard of the African American Cultural Alliance leads a discussion on the impact this group had on the Civil Rights Movement. A mural was just completed on Jefferson Street in honor of the Freedom Riders.

BRIDGING THE GAP MIXER

Prior to the all day event, J.U.M.P. will also sponsor the Bridging the Gap Mixer from 7 p.m. to midnight Friday, June 19 on the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge. The mixer, which began in 2003, offers will include three stages of jazz and blues, dancing and a cash bar.

April Rucker, Roots of Soul will take to the west and east stage respectively while DJ Victor Chapman will hit the center stage at 10 p.m. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Volunteers and vendors are still needed for both events.

From the 1940s through the early 1960s, the Jefferson Street area emerged as one of America’s best-known districts for rhythm and blues and jazz. The area underwent an economic boom with numerous theaters, nightclubs, eateries and family owned businesses opening, all in walking distance of one another.

“This is an event that is reminiscent of the music that made the street so well known, not just locally but nationally,” Hurt added.

Organized in 1994, the Jefferson Street United Merchants Partnership strives to empower area merchants and residents to preserve and promote the historic corridor.


WHAT: Ninth Annual Jefferson Street Jazz and Blues Festival & Bridging the Gap Mixer

WHEN: The Bridging the Gap Mixer from 7 p.m. to midnight June 19 on the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge. Gates open at 6 p.m. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children.

The Jazz and Blues Festival is FREE from noon to midnight on Jefferson Street between 26th and 28th avenues on Saturday, June 20.