Atlanta Jazz Festival…. 2000

Another year has passed and the city is reveling in a brand new millennium and for many 2000 is the first and only time they will experience the turning of a hundred years. This makes it a very special year as it’s Camille Russell Love’s third year and two Bill’s are nearing the end of their terms – President Clinton and Mayor Campbell, the latter being a bit daunted and a little tongue-tied when meeting Nina Simone.

However, for most of the jazz fans it was a very spiritual weekend in the city too busy to hate. As photographer Jim Alexander pointed out that the festival and the period leading up to it boosts the morale of the city.  Jazz deejay Phil Clore echoes similar sentiment, commenting that the beauty of the people gathering in a mood of unity to listen to great music and each administration over the years have endorsed a theory held by Shirley Franklin and Maynard Jackson, that the festival increases the cultural pride of Atlanta.

The Atlanta Jazz Festival was in full swing from May 19th – 29th with numerous venues hosting jazz. Music was heard and appreciated by varied audiences in Piedmont Park, Chastain Park Amphitheatre, Rialto Center, the Tabernacle, Sambuca Jazz Cafe, Justin’s, Churchill Grounds, Karma, Woodruff Park, Centennial Olympic Park. and the Yin Yang Cafe.

Adam’s Township, Atmel Larry, Audrey Shakir, Cassandra Wilson, Cheryl Renee, Claudia Villella, Cyrus Chestnut, Dan Coy Trio, David S. Ware, Dennis Springer, Dr. Billy Taylor’s Jazz from the Kennedy Center, Eric Benet, Freddy Cole, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Herbie Hancock, In the Spirit, Jacques Lesure Trio, Kathleen Bertrand, Kevin Griffin, Kevin Houser Quartet, Life Force, Mahluli Workshop, Miguel Romero, Naked Jazz, Nina Simone, Papo Vazquez / Pirates & Trubadours, Regina Carter, Rick Bell Quintet, Ron Wiggins Trio, Squat, Steve Turre & Sanctified Shells, T.S. Monk and the Monk on Monk Big Band, Tuck & Patti, Urban Blue and the World Mambo Mission.

Sponsoring this year’s celebration of free jazz included some of the hosting venues as well as General Motors, DElta Airlines, Anheuser-Busch, MARTA, WSB-TV, Creative Loafing, Hilton Atlanta, Justin’s, Sambuca Jazz Cafe, Churchill Grounds, Karma, Centennial Olympic Park, The Atlanta Coca-Cola Bottling Company, BET on Jazz, JazzTimes, Media One, WALR/KISS 104.7 FM, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Renaissance Atlanta-Downtown, Tabernacle, Rialto Center for the Performing Arts, Atlanta Downtown Partnership, Hartsfield International Airport Program and the Ying Yang Cafe.

  #preserving genius

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