Atlanta Jazz Festival…2008

It is 2008 and Piedmont Park Conservancy embarked upon a restoration plan to bring the lawns to their former pristine condition, thus requiring the festival to move to another location. This year audiences were able to appreciate their free jazz from their blankets and chairs in Woodruff Park over the Memorial Day weekend from May 24th through May 26th.

The performers were Bernard Linnette featuring Charito, Gordon Vernick and the GSU Jazztet, Jaspects, Joe Jennings and Howard Nicholson’s Lifeforce, Mike Phillips, Ojeda Penn Experience, Ron James and the Truth, Rua and the Serenata Band.

The 2008 Future of Jazz Winners that performed were Bradford in the Nu Jazz category, Genetic Drift for Fusion, Heather Johnson for Contemporary Vocals, Kemba Cofield featuring Melvin Jones in the Straight-Ahead Vocals category, Mace Hibbard snagged the Straight-Ahead Instrumental and Zon 3 picked up the Contemporary Instrumental brand.

The festival sponsors were Anheuser Busch Companies, BET J, Coca Cola Company, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Publix Super Markets, Inc., Central Atlanta Progress, MARTA, Brand Atlanta, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Bank of America, JazzTimes, Spelman College, 91.9 WCLK, Gibson Guitars, Ephiphone, SmartMusic, JW Pepper, Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, CONNECT Magazine, Smooth Atlanta, TD Entertainment, Upscale, Rolling Out and City Living Home Furnishings. #AJF40

  #preserving genius

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