Jazzanooga announced Monday the full schedule of the the organization’s month-long celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month. Highlights include renowned stride pianist, Judy Carmichael, the Air National Guard Jazz Band of the South and tributes to legendary locals Clyde Stubblefield and Bessie Smith. Always held during Jazz Appreciation Month -- April, Jazzanooga draws fans from all across the region for a month of performances, educational opportunities and good times in a variety of Chattanooga venues.
Shane Morrow, director of Jazzanooga said, “I’m truly excited about this year’s lineup. It’s a joy to go back to our Jazz Appreciation Month Jazzanooga roots and engage so many local and regional artists and also to pay tribute to Chattanooga music legends like Bessie Smith and Clyde Stubblefield.”
Here is the April 2017 schedule and review for the performers:
Sunday, April 2
11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Jazz On the Grass
April is National Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) and will be kicking it off with a free community concert featuring Sweet Georgia Sound, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Jazz Band, The Inman Street Band and Blue Groove, the jazz band ensemble of the Air National Guard Band of the South. This event will be held in Coolidge Park (rain or shine) so bring blankets, picnic baskets, family and friends for a fantastic Sunday afternoon of great music.
5:30 p.m.
An Evening with Judy Carmichael
National Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) was created in 2001 to celebrate the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz for the entire month of April. Jazz is a celebration of freedom and creativity and this year's theme celebrates women in jazz. Jazzanooga is extremely honored to present world renowned Jazz pianist and singer, Judy Carmichael. Join us for a memorable evening of jazz, wine and hors-d'oeuvres at Chattanooga Theatre Centre, the event space sponsor, on Sunday, April 2. Tickets are available here.
Wednesday, April 5
6:30 p.m.
Arts.Black
There is a unique synergy between Jazz and Visual Arts. Jazzanooga is pleased to partner with UTC Art Department to host Arts.Black. Arts.Black is a journal of art criticism from Black perspectives predicated on the belief that art criticism should be an accessible dialogue - a tool through which we question, celebrate, and talk back to the global world of contemporary art.
Come join us for a panel discussion featuring Jessica Lynne Co-editor/Co-Founder of Arts.Black (NYC), Tenika Dye, Director of Playback Theatre, Visual artists, Michelle Lisa Polissaint (Miami), R Josiah Golson and James McKissic (Chattanooga). The discussion will be moderated by UTC faculty member and artist, Jennifer Dano. This is a free event and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.
Friday, April 14
7 p.m.
Icon Tribute: Clyde Stubblefield
He was a self taught musician from Chattanooga. He epitomized the sounds of R&B, Funk and Soul through his drum patterns. He is the most sampled drummer in the music industry. He is an icon. Join us as we celebrate the life of the late, great Clyde Stubblefield through music featuring drum performances by Darrell Kelly,Johnny E Smith, Yattie Westfield, and Jonathan Susman. House Band under the direction of David Anthony. Vocals by The Voices of THECREATIVEUNDERGROUND. A cash bar will be provided. All proceeds benefit Jazzanooga's Youth Music Education Initiatives. Tickets are available here.
Thursday, April 20
7:30 p.m.
Icon Tribute: Bessie Smith
She was the highest-paid black performer of her day. She earned the nickname "The Empress of the Blues." Her magnificent voice, sense of the dramatic, clarity of diction (one never missed a word of what she sang), and incomparable time and phrasing set her apart from the competition and made her appeal as much to jazz lovers as to blues lovers. She is an icon. Join us as we celebrate her life featuring the brilliant voice of Neshawn Bynum Calloway as she portrays Bessie in a musical tribute. Limited seating is available. Tickets are available here.
Sunday, April 23
1:30 p.m.
Sunday Gospel Brunch
Come on out to our brunch and enjoy a sumptuous meal while appreciating this uplifting, soulful music on the day it was meant to be heard. We’re talking about homemade southern cooking that will fill your stomach and inspiring music that will stir your soul. The brunch will be catered by Dipped Fresh. We have changed location to our space on MLK Blvd. Seating will be limited (only 60 tickets will be sold) and since the inception of this event, we have sold out every time so plan to get your tickets early. We are featuring Jazzanooga director, Shane Morrow. Tickets are available here.
Saturday, April 29
2 p.m.
Art & Jazz Day Party with Black Art in America
Come join us as we capture the energy of visual arts and Jazz together in our 1st Annual Arts & Jazz Day Party. All fine arts and music collectors, art lovers and Chattanooga art enthusiasts are invited to attend this event featuring a special exhibition / discussion on African American Arts facilitated by Najee Dorsey, founder of Black Art In America. Mr. Dorsey's work along with other works by African American masters of the 20th Century will be available to view and purchase.
$5.00 donation at the door is greatly appreciated and will benefit our upcoming community programs and services. Beer & Wine Cash Bar will be provided. BAIA is the leading online portal and social network focused on African-American Art. BAIA amplifies thought-provoking commentary on today's visual arts news from a variety of perspectives, including breaking news, gallery meet-ups, market trends, and profiling leading (and emerging) Black visual artists in the country.
7:30 p.m.
Icon Tribute: Duke Ellington
An originator of big-band jazz, Duke Ellington was an American composer, pianist and bandleader who composed thousands of scores over his 50-year career. A major figure in the history of jazz music, his career spanned more than half a century, during which time he composed thousands of songs for the stage, screen and contemporary songbook. He created one of the most distinctive ensemble sounds in Western music and continued to play what he called "American Music" until shortly before his death in 1974.Join us as we pay homage to The Duke with a special performance by Chattanooga's own, Booker Scruggs Trio. Tickets are available here.
Sunday, April 30
4:30 p.m.
Jazz Poetry Tribute to Billie Holiday
Speaking truth and emotion, sonic and rhythmic, structured and free, poetry and jazz seem like natural born partners. More often, we do hear poets read their writing to accompaniment by jazz musicians — a form of spoken-word performance. Others write poetry inspired, informed and shaped by jazz.In celebration of National Poetry Month and Jazz Appreciation Month, Jazzanooga welcomes Laurie Perry Vaughen, Poet as she reads from her work accompanied by specially composed music by Award-winning Atlanta composer Jeff Crompton in a collaborative effort titled “Billie Holiday on the Radio: Tune in the Sociology of the South.” Joining Crompton under the moniker Three Way Mirror will be fellow 4th Ward Afro-Klezmer Orchestra mates Bill Pritchard (tuba) and John Arthur (percussion). Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Performance begins at 5 p.m. Light refreshments and cash bar available. Tickets are available here.
Jazzanooga is also offering an all access pass for a limited time which will get free entry and premium seating at all the ticketed events plus a 2017 limited poster, Jazzanooga T-shirt and swag bag. Sale ends on April 2. Tickets are available here.