JazzFest adds New ‘After Dark’ Option

El Movimiento

Calling all jazz fans—it’s that time of year again!

Jazz performers and enthusiasts, alike, will dance their way to Murfreesboro’s historic square for the 15^th annual JazzFest on May 6 and 7.

The music committee has wrapped up a lineup that crosses many styles of jazz and consists of Chester Thompson, El Movimiento, 3^rd Coast Vocals, Jerry Tachoir Group, Jazz Guardians plus the MTSU Jazz Ensemble and the MTSU Faculty Jazz Ensemble.

Several high school and middle school bands will also be performing as part of the festivities, along with Music City Swing and Jazzmin from Belmont University.

The two-day music fest offers jazz lovers and likers an opportunity to hear some of their favorites while being exposed to new tunes.

Event chairman Mike Bickford opted to add a new twist on the favorite outdoor event with the creation of Jazz After Dark—a nightcap of jazz that will extend into participating restaurants and music venues after the initial music from JazzFest ends on Saturday night.

“Once JazzFest is over with then the true jazz fans will patronize the restaurants and have a place to go to carry on into the wee hours of the morning, if they want,” he explained.

“It’s more of a partnership to synchronize what’s going on up on the square that night with the local (bars and) restaurants. As a result of Jazz After Dark, they could very well pick up new patrons that wouldn’t have otherwise gone there. It’s exposure to a whole demographic that they wouldn’t otherwise tap into or would have to spend a fortune to get to.”

3rd Coast

Four venues have committed to offering live jazz for the inaugural Jazz After Dark event, according to coordinator Mike Zelenak, owner of Maple Street Grill and Maple Street Uncorked.

Liquid Smoke, Bluesboro, Maple Street Uncorked and 3 Brothers Deli & Brewhouse will all be offering music Saturday night.

“Everybody seems pretty excited about it,” Zelenak said.

“It just makes sense for us to be able to do something like that. Usually, after (JazzFest) was over, people would just leave the square. Since they’re already here listening to jazz, which is already what they like, why not get them in here listening?”

Rob Fortney, owner of Bluesboro and co-owner of 3 Brothers Brewhouse & Deli, agreed, saying that Jazz After Dark provides an opportunity for attendees to listen to local jazz artists.

“It’s a reason to stick around and see local jazz up close and personal,” he said. “I would like to see seven or eight of these businesses (in the future) offering either single jazz artists or multiple jazz artists and see local jazz artists participating because there’s a ton of local jazz artists here.”

In addition to the music, there will be several food vendors and an enhancement with the food court and children’s activities in the Kids Alley. Additionally, the Garden Mart will be back again where vendors will be offering art and accessories for the garden.

Jerry Tachoir

Friday Night at JazzFest featuring “Future Jazz Greats”
Friday, May 6
6-6:20 p.m. Eagleville High School Jazz Band
6:30-6:50 p.m. Central Magnet School Jazz Band
7-7:30 p.m. Riverdale High School Jazz Band
7:40-8:10 p.m. Oakland High School Jazz Band
8:20-8:50 p.m. Blackman High School Jazz Band
9-9:30 p.m. Smyrna High School Jazz Band
9:40-10:10 p.m. LaVergne High School Jazz Band
10:20-10:50 p.m. Siegel High School Jazz Band

2011 Main (East) Stage Schedule
Saturday, May 7
12 p.m. MTSU Jazz Ensemble #1
1 p.m. Jerry Tachoir
2 p.m. Chris West
3 p.m. Chester Thompson
4 p.m. El Movimiento
5:30 p.m. 3rd Coast Vocal
7 p.m. U.S. Army Jazz Guardians

*Tachoir Clinic @ 3:00

2011 Kroger (West) Stage Schedule
Saturday, May 7
11 a.m. Seymour High School (Knoxville, TN)
11:40 a.m. Siegel Middle School
12:10 p.m. Smyrna Middle School
12:40 p.m. Stewart’s Creek Middle School
1:10 p.m. St Rose School
1:40 p.m. Rockvale Middle School
2:10 p.m. Oakland Middle School
2:40 p.m. TN School For the Blind
3:10 p.m. All Ruth Co Jazz Band
3:50 p.m. Cascades High School (Shelbyville, TN)
4:30 p.m. Jazzmin (Belmont)
5:15 p.m. Fresh Fruit Jazz Project
6 p.m. Music City Swing