The Atlanta Jazz Festival is ascendant. Believe it. The 35th edition returns to Piedmont Park Memorial Day Weekend, May 26 through May 28.
Among the performers this year are the elite of this quintessentially American music motif: Roy Ayers, Cyrus Chestnut, Kathleen Bertrand, Russell Gunn, Edy Martinez, Ojeda Penn and Johnny O’Neal. And, as they say, that’s just to “name a few.”
While Memorial Day Weekend is the epicenter of action, the festival’s focus, every day in May there will be jazz emanating from the parks, clubs, restaurants and associated venues around town. These are not-so-subtle foreshocks to the big bash.
Among the must-sees:
Ojeda Penn performs Thursday, May 24 from 8 to 10 p.m. at Bar Eleven. Admission? It’s gratis.
Johnny O’Neal holds forth at the festival’s Kick-off Cabaret May 25 at the Mercer Ballroom. Tickets are still available.
Piedmont Park’s music is free for the ear Memorial Day Weekend, but you’re going to have to ante up for the food. Among the offerings: BBQ, gyros, burgers, Caribbean cuisine and such. There will be plenty of crafts vendors too. This is the edge of Appalachia, and the crafts can be superb buys.
KidZone enclaves are there for the asking, open noon till 6 p.m. each day in Piedmont Park. Soccer, basketball, hula hoops are offered for the sport of it, as is a cooling tent where cartoons will be shown. Given the fact the festival’s so close to June in this sometimes steamy southern city, adults might be tempted to linger in the tent a while.
One of the best ways to get to Piedmont Park is via MARTA train, although it’s probably going to be packed Memorial Day weekend. Take the train to the Arts Center Station, and then follow 14th Street to the park. A tip: bring along plenty of water and sunscreen. The weather could be as hot as the music.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: pedrosimoes7)
