May 25-27, 2013
Don’t miss the fun and excitement at the annual Atlanta Jazz Festival in Piedmont Park, one of the country’s largest FREE jazz festivals. During the entire month of May, more than 100 of the best jazz performers showcase their talents in venues throughout the metro area before coming together in a huge weekend celebration at Piedmont Park. The festival showcases local and national jazz greats, a neighborhood jazz series, youth jazz band competition, a kids zone and many other family-friendly activities.
In 1977 organizers of the first “Atlanta Free Jazz Festival” wanted to host a celebration where the music would be a liberated art form at no cost to the community. Only the best jazz would do. They pulled together the 29 act festival on a shoestring budget with sponsors such as Coca Cola and Peaches Record Store. By 1984 when ‘Free’ was dropped from the name the Atlanta Jazz Festival had major national sponsorship and a reputation for pulling in some of the top Jazz artists in the world but the commitment to keep the jazz free flowing and the festival FREE OF CHARGE remained.
Now, 35 years later, hundreds of acts take the stage each year during a month long celebration of Atlanta jazz before coming to a close each Memorial Day weekend at the historic Piedmont Park. The weekend features numerous nationally-acclaimed artists and is FREE and open to the public. Explore the park and visit vendors displaying some of the city’s finest arts & crafts, food & drinks, and merchandise.
Over the years the Atlanta Jazz Festival has been backdrop to musical legends such as Miles Davis, Dizzie Gillespie and Nina Simone. The Atlanta Jazz Festival is the perfect way to spend your Memorial Day weekend!
Jazz Festival Location:
The Atlanta Jazz Festival takes place in Piedmont Park and is FREE and open to the public.
