Jazzanooga was established in late 2009 to spearhead the city’s celebration efforts by collaborating with local jazz musicians and vocalists, presenters, club and business owners, schools and nonprofit organizations to promote and support Chattanooga’s jazz tradition and assets.
“April is National Jazz Appreciation Month and we are ready to once again get Chattanooga into the swing of celebrating and bring a deeper appreciation of one of our city’s greatest cultural achievement, jazz,” states Shane Morrow, co-founder of Jazzanooga, which is a community jazz festival. “This is our third year in a row organizing Jazzanooga and the synergy from it is definitely building. Chattanooga’s role in the history of jazz shouldn’t be understated.”
Jazz Appreciation Month is a project of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History and this year marks the 12th anniversary of the national celebration. The U.S. Congress passed legislation (Public Law 108-72) which was signed by the President George W. Bush.
The purpose of the month is to draw greater public attention to the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz and its importance as an American cultural heritage. In addition, it is intended to stimulate the current jazz scene and encourage people of all ages to participate in jazz—to study the music, attend concerts, listen to jazz on radio and recordings, read books about jazz and support institutional jazz programs. The 2013 theme selected this year by the Smithsonian is “The Spirit and Rhythm of Jazz.”
“It is a pleasure to be able to organize even more jazz-related activities and events in Jazzanooga’s third year,” said James McKissic, also a co-founder of Jazzanooga. “The month of activities continues to grow, and more and more people respond each year .”
“Jazz Appreciation Month is a wonderful way for us to celebrate the variety of Jazz musicians we have in the Greater Chattanooga Region," explains Tony Socarras, band leader of Latin Jazz Group, Sabor. “It’s good for fans as well to have so many free and low-cost opportunities to hear great music with friends.”
A complete schedule and detailed information of performances is at
www.jazzanooga.com.
Highlights of the month include:
April 5, 5 p.m.-12 a.m. Jazzanooga at Mocha Restaurant and Music Lounge
April 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jazz On The Bluff (Free)
April 9, 7-9 p.m. Jazz performance for American Poet Ishmael Reed
April 14, 2-5 p.m. Sweet Sounds of Jazz
April 17, 12-2 p.m. Jazz at Water House Pavilion (Free)
April 19, 6-9 p.m. Latin Jazz Sessions
April 20, 2-4 p.m. Reel Jazz Movie Series (Movie Screening of “Chops”) (Free)
4-5 p.m. Jazz at Ross Landing (Free)