While the annual Atlanta Jazz Festival postponed its Memorial Day Weekend event due to COVID-19, the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) is excited to announce the launch of Atlanta Jazz Festival Sessions to celebrate 31 Days of Jazz this year. Traditionally, the Atlanta Jazz Festival has hosted 31 Days of Jazz as live events that take place around metro Atlanta during May leading up to Festival weekend. This year select Atlanta jazz artists have been recording their sessions that will be available at 9 p.m. each evening beginning Friday, May 1, through Sunday, May 31.

“Given the fact that we are still researching options to hold the festival later this year, we couldn’t let 31 Days of Jazz go by without a celebration. Atlanta Jazz Festival Sessions will not only provide entertainment, but also help to share positive energy while we all maintain safety precautions as advised by the CDC,” said OCA Executive Director Camille Russell Love. “We have faith that Atlanta will flatten the curve, and when it is safe to gather again, we will be prepared for a great festival weekend. In the meantime, everyone in Atlanta, the U.S. and the world can tune in to hear some amazing jazz performances by Atlanta artists,” she added.

The OCA has selected a specially curated list of exceptionally talented local singers, musicians and bands to record 30-minute sessions resulting in unique virtual music experiences showcasing a mastery of jazz. The video recordings will be posted at 9 p.m. each night on the Atlanta Jazz Festival’s Facebook page, and then will be available on the official Atlanta Jazz Festival website the next day.

The Phil Davis Quartet will kick off the Atlanta Jazz Festival Sessions on Friday, May 1, at 9 p.m., followed by Mike Burton Quartet and the duo of Joe Gransden and Kenny Banks Sr. on Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3, respectively. OCA will release the first full week of artists filled with venerable performers on Monday, May 4, including Gritz and Jelly Butter, Kathleen Bertrand, Myrna Clayton and Julie Dexter. Check the AJF website www.atlantafestivals.com frequently for performance updates, the new festival date and other events.