Atlanta Jazz Festival…2007

The preview party for the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the 2007 Atlanta Jazz Festival took place at the Atlanta Civic Center on April 9th. Nnena Nchege had dubbed the legion of volunteers as Jazzteers two years earlier as noted by Mayor Shirley Franklin in her remarks when thanking them for their hard work. Visual imagery with a 30th Anniversary exhibition curated by Freddie Styles that showcased the rich history of the festival through the eyes of photographers Jim Alexander, Sue Ross, Michael Reece, Sheila Pree Bright, Julie Yarbrough and Eric Waters. The Bureau of Cultural Affairs produced a coffee table book utilizing the photographs of the above photographers with historical timeline by John Holman.

Thirty years was a milestone for the city of Atlanta taking the dream of newly elected first-time Black mayor Maynard Jackson and continuing the legacy that was set by directors before her. Camille Russell-Love had expanded the vision of the festival and incorporated new aspects that highlighted the city’s sustaining musicians and those yet to become professionals. 2007 was a banner year and May 26th – 28th was evidence of that tradition in Piedmont Park.

The Future of Jazz stage hosted Ron James, the 2007 Future of Jazz Winner, who took an honored spot in the programming along Future of Jazz artists Lillie Huddleston Quartet, Ken Ford, the Yonrico Scott Band, Antoine Knight, Toni Redd, Hudson on Bass, Jaspects, Joe Gransden, Joey Summerville, Julie Dexter, Reggie Hines, Squat, Tammy Allen, Bernard Linnette Quartet, William Green and DAYSAHEAD.

On the mainstage jazz fans got to see and hear the national acts of the Bad Plus, Bobby Hutcherson Quartet, Charles Tolliver Big Band, Chieli Minucci and Special EFX, Flora Purim & Airto Moreira, Herbie Hancock Quintet, Laws Family, Lou Donaldson Quartet, Mike Phillips, Monty Alexander, Nefertari Bey, Pete Escovedo Orchestra with Sheila E, Steve Turre, Ray Vega, & Juan Escovedo, Ronny Jordan Trio, Terri Lyne Carrington and Friends, Vijay Iyer Quartet, and.

Over the weekend Eric Essix performed at the Park Tavern, and Gordon Vernick and Robert Irving III ran their respective night of the Late Night Jazz Jam.

The sponsors Delta Airlines, Budweiser Select, Coca-Cola, Winsonic Technologies, Nextwave Entertainment, MARTA, BET J, Steinway Piano Galleries, Epiphone guitars, Mapex Drums, LBD Advertising, Four Spots Digital Media, The Atlanta Livery Company, Bermuda Department of Tourism, Publix Supermarkets, WCLK 91.9FM, WJZZ, Rolling Out, The Atlanta Tribune, Upscale Magazine, JazzTimes Magazine, Atlanta Party Starters, Mundo Hispanico, Transit TV, American Technologies, Georgia State University Rialto Center for The Arts, JW Pepper, Smart Music and the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau. #AJF40

  #preserving genius

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