Atlanta Jazz Festival…2002

They gathered in Piedmont Park over Memorial Day for a weekend of jazz, barbecue, camaraderie and sunshine as they laid blankets and chairs on the lawn in front of the big stage. It was May 25th when the festivities began and they continued until the last note on May 27, 2002. It was not unusual, as a matter-of-fact, it became a common occurrence to see many festival participants in the commemorative T-shirts that were produced over the years. Celebrating the Atlanta Jazz Festival, the city produced an exhibit of the commemorative posters to mark the 25th anniversary.

This year was no less remarkable than the past years and in continuing the tradition jazz fans were given the opportunity to enjoy the talents of the Abbey Lincoln Quartet, Abebi Stafford, Bebel Gilberto, Ben Allison’s New Quartet, Carlos Washington & the Giant People Ensemble, D.D. Jackson Trio, Dan Baraszu, Darren Winters Ensemble, Dennis Springer, Ficciones, Jack West & Curvature, Jimmy Scott, Joshua Redman with Brian Blade & Sam Yahel, Living Daylights Trans-Atlantic, Lizz Wright, Marea Alta, Michel Camilo Trio, Miguel Romero, Mike Blackburn Trio, Mike Kelly, Moment’s Notice, Momentum, New Power Trio, Orquestra Nova Sound, Project Logic featuring DJ Logic, Ray Charles, Rio Negro, Ronny Jordan, Roy Haynes’ Birds of a Feather featuring Kenny Garrett, Nicholas Payton, John Patitucci & Dave Kikoski, Takana Miyamoto, Tommie Macon & the Gentlemen of Jazz, Winard Harper, Woody Williams Rhythmodics, World Mambo Mission, Xpressions, and Yusef Sharif

This year’s celebration of free jazz would not have been possible without the sponsorship and support of Anheuser-Busch, Publix Supermarkets Charities, Atlanta Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Wyndham Midtown Atlanta, AT&T, MARTA, JazzTimes, Atlanta Magazine, Rolling Out, Creative Loafing, Mundo Hispanico, WSB-TV, WABE-PBA, WCLK 91.9 FM, WJZZ, WVEE/V103 FM, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Atlanta Livery Company.

  #preserving genius

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