Jefferson Street Jazz and Blues Festival celebrates 13th year

Freddie Jackson
Freddie Jackson

Nashville’s Historic Jefferson Street will once again ring with the musical sounds that made the area famous during the 13th annual Jefferson Street Jazz and Blues Festival. The event will be held from noon till midnight on Saturday, June 15 at one of Nashville’s treasures—the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. The park is located on the South side of Jefferson Street between Rosa L. Parks Blvd. and the State Capital. It is once again sponsored by J.U.M.P., the Jefferson Street United Merchants Partnership.

“The Jazz and Blues Festival is more than just another music festival, it’s a homecoming,” said Sharon Hurt, executive director of J.U.M.P. “This event brings thousands of people to north Nashville.  The diverse all-star lineup will include El Movimiento, Koko and the Konnects, Tina Brown, Denny Jiosa, After 5 Tux Band, the B.B. Kings All-Star Band featuring Natasha Young, the Joe Johnson Band and the incomparable, internationally and nationally renowned Freddie Jackson.

There will be a children’s pavilion with lots and lots of games, inflatables, and live entertainment from some of Nashville’s finest and most talented youth. There will be a designated food court and other vendors will line the beautiful park.

“This is an event that is reminiscent of the music that made the street so well known, not just locally but nationally,” Hurt said. “This is the perfect way for the whole family to spend the weekend listening to the great music that Nashville has to offer.”

Prior to the all-day event, J.U.M.P. will also sponsor the Bridging the Gap Mixer from 8 pm until midnight on Friday, June 14, on the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge.

The mixer ‘bridges’ uptown Jefferson Street with downtown Nashville, and will include three stages of music featuring The Steve Roper Band on the West stage, the Roots of Soul on the East stage, and a D.J. and dancing at center stage, along with a cash bar. Vendor’s spaces are still available for the bridge by calling J.U.M.P. at 616-726-5867 for ticket information.

Schedule for Jefferson Street Jazz & Blues Festival Weekend

Bridging the Gap Mixer, Friday, June 14

Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge — Gates open at 6 pm. Live music begins at 7 pm and ends at 1 am.

Live music: Roots of Soul, West Stage; Steve Roper, East Stage; and  DJ Victor Chatman, Center Stage at 10 p.m.

Jefferson Street Jazz and Blues Festival

Saturday, June 15, from noon until 9 pm.

Musician Line-up:

Rave Game, King Antonio, Aleah Steele, 100 MVMT (Movement), Koko and the Konnects, El Movimiento, Denny Jiosa, After  5 Tux, B.B. King All-Stars featuring Natasha Young, Tina Brown, Joe Johnson, and Freddie Jackson

Children’s Pavilion:

Josef George, PUSH 4171, Tori Rossi, Katy Bug, Niece Elliott, and Shaniah Jones

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