The Jefferson Street United Merchants Partnership (J.U.M.P.) will kick off the 17th annual Jefferson Street Jazz & Blues Festival (JJBF) weekend with a location change for its Friday evening “Bridging the Gap” Mixer. Relocating from its usual perch on the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge to 5th Ave North (between Korean Veterans’ Boulevard and Demonbreun, steps away from the Omni Hotel and Music City Center), the Festival’s “Bridging the Gap” Mixer on Friday, June 16, will mix things up with a SoBro-themed Block Party. The Jazz & Blues Festival, will return to the Bi-Centennial Mall & State Park on June 17.

Friday’s “Bridging the Gap: New Face, New Place” Mixer will feature headlining performances from JJBF alums William Davenport and Wendell “Bizz” Bigsby-Church. Organizers of the festival said the Mixer’s move to 5th Ave N., signifies an opportunity to bring the party closer to Broadway—the pulse of downtown Nashville—and into the blossoming SoBro community, where a collection of residences, hotels and attractions generate additional opportunities to enjoy music of all kinds.

“As our team continues to think of new ways to make the annual Jefferson Street Jazz & Blues Festival bigger and better for our guests, we’re incredibly excited to introduce a set of new faces to a new home for our ‘Bridging the Gap: New Face, New Place’ Mixer by bringing more live jazz and blues music to downtown Nashville,” explained Sharon Hurt, President and CEO of J.U.M.P.

For more information or to purchase tickets for any of the events visit the website at www.nashvillejazzandbluesfest.com