The Atlanta Jazz Festival will kick off its 41^st year of free jazz concerts in Piedmont Park over Memorial Day Weekend, May 26 – 27, 2018. The Atlanta Jazz Festival is renowned for discovering new, up-and-coming artists and introducing them to the Atlanta music scene.

Leading up to the holiday weekend, the Mayor’s office of Cultural Affairs schedules 31 days of free jazz performances throughout metro Atlanta. Various artists perform at specified MARTA stations for MARTA Mondays, the Colony Square Helipad for Jazz in the Sky on Tuesdays, Suite Jazz Lounge for the Suite Jazz Series on Thursdays, Twilight Jazz at Atlantic Station on Fridays, Jazz in the Airport Atrium at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, local public parks for the Neighborhood Jazz Series and more. The full calendar and details can be found here.

The festival in Piedmont Park features three stages: the Next Gen Stage, the Contemporary Stage and the Legends Stage. On Saturday, all three stages will feature all female headliners including Linda May Han Oh Quintet (Next Gen Stage), Jazzmeia Horn (Contemporary Stage) and Dianne Reeves (Legends Stage). The Next Gen Stage and the Contemporary Stage also will spotlight rising stars such as Sasha Berliner Escapades, Shayna Steele, Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles over the weekend. The Legends Stage is honored to headline great talents such as The Bad Plus and Jon Batiste with the Dap-Kings. Following Saturday night’s line-up in the Park, the popular Late Night Jazz Jam will take place at Park Tavern at 11 p.m. featuring the incomparable Russell Gunn and the Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra.

“We are fortunate to be able to showcase the talents of so many artists year after year at the Atlanta Jazz Festival. Jazz is a musical genre that can get overlooked, but at this festival we are able to show younger generations how truly innovative jazz is and how it influences the music of today,” says Camille Russell Love, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs.

The jazz festival not only highlights musical artists, but also spotlights visual artists. The Artist Market is the place to find rare and collectible artwork while supporting local artists. Booths with vendors displaying their eclectic and handcrafted goods will line the park’s sidewalks for festival goers to peruse and make purchases, and a variety of food and drinks will also be available.

The Atlanta Jazz Festival has always been a family affair as well. The Kids Zone, co-sponsored by Publix, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Atlanta United FC, is set up in The Meadow at Piedmont Park and is an innovative and creative activity area filled with fun for kids of all ages. Inflatable challenges and games offer safe and entertaining activities and this year will also include a soccer skills workshop with the players from Atlanta United FC, where kids can interact with United players and coaches. The hours for the Kids Zone are 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 26-27.

Bud Light is sponsoring the Bud Light Lounge, a VIP Lounge, near the Legends Stage. Bud Light Lounge pass holders will have access to the lounge area which includes a cash bar, private seating and VIP restroom access. A complimentary Bloody Mary Bar will be available both days from 1 – 3 p.m. For more information on purchasing passes and lounge hours, please visit the Bud Light Lounge event page.

Official Atlanta Jazz Festival sponsors include:

The Wind Creek Casino Legends of Jazz Stage – Legends Stage Title Sponsor

Publix – Kids Zone Sponsor

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – Kids Zone Sponsor

Atlanta United FC – Kids Zone Sponsor

Georgia’s Own Credit Union – Bike Valet Sponsor

Tito’s Handmade Vodka – Official Vodka

Bud Light – Official Domestic Beer

Stella Artois – Official Import Beer

Fontis – Official Water

Coca-Cola – Official Soft Drink

Lyft – Official Ride Share Partner

Metro PCS – Supporting Sponsor

Loews Atlanta Hotel

Sprouts Farmers Market

MARTA

The Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast Region