UPCOMING: Jazz on Jefferson - East Jefferson Bus District Detroit - Saturday June 27th, 2009

JEBA PRESENTS THE 6th ANNUAL

JAZZIN’ ON JEFFERSON

THE EASTSIDE’S BIGGEST SUMMER JAZZ PARTY

Saturday June 27^th, 2009

  

            The Jefferson East Business Association (JEBA) is proud to present the sixth annual Jazzin’ on Jefferson, a free street festival celebrating the jazz and blues heritage of the East Jefferson Business district.  The festival will be held from 11a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday June 27th on a closed-off section of East Jefferson Avenue between the streets of Chalmers and Alter in Detroit, MI. Jazzin’ on Jefferson 2009 will feature world class jazz, blues, & gospel performances, an artist market, children’s area, and outstanding cuisine & shopping.

Headlining this year will be world renowned jazz pianist and vocalist Johnny O’Neal!  The New York Times writes that O’Neal exhibits a “methodical approach that made each song a confident musical arc, encompassing stride and boogie-woogie variations and peaking in agitated Errol Garnerish right-handed chord clusters” The Jazz Cruise.com raves that“whether it is playing Art Tatum in "Ray" or playing piano like few men have ever done, Johnny O'Neal knows how to perform and entertain. The most difficult element of his performances is finding a seat and then being able to sit still in it. The man just makes you want to move!”  

 

Also appearing is Detroit’s ambassador to the blues world, Johnnie Bassett and The Blues Insurgents. Mr. Bassett will be celebrating the release of his new CD on Sly Dog Records “The Gentleman is Back”

 

 

Other performers include Priscilla Price & Band, Relativity wsg Pat Seymour, Deon Yates, the Vincent Chandler Septet, Deblon Jackson, and Planet D Nonet!  Jazzin’ 09 will also feature inspiring Gospel acts including R.I.M.E, the Hope Community Church Choir and the Greater New Southern Choir!

 

In addition to great jazz, join us for great art.  Returning this year will be the Detroit Artist Gallery showcasing mixed media works from over 20 area artists.  Our Children’s Area will feature arts & crafts activities, family friendly entertainment and the return of Mini-Golf on East Jefferson!  And new in 2009 will be the 1^st Annual JOJ 5-on-5 Basketball Tournament!

             The Historic East Jefferson Business District is one of a small number of surviving early twentieth-century neighborhood commercial districts.  The district became the center of the area’s commercial, social, and cultural life by the 1920s. The district is exceptional in Detroit for retaining two of the city’s big-band era ballrooms: the Vanity and the Monticello.  Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the tradition of jazz and blues continued in this district with Detroit soul, R & B, and jazz artists performing free concerts on the Detroit River within the 120 acres of parkland in the community.

            Founded in 1992, the Jefferson East Business Association (JEBA) works to improve the quality of life on Detroit’s lower eastside by addressing the needs of the business and residential community.  JEBA accomplishes this through our Economic Development activities which include small business counseling, real estate development grants, façade improvement support as well as commercial tenant attraction/retention programs.  Our Business District Services work to create a safe, clean and vibrant district and seeks to attract more shoppers and investors to the area.  JEBA’s target area is bounded by St. Jean to the west, Alter and the Detroit border to the east, Charlevoix to the north, and the Detroit River to the south.  The East Jefferson Business District is located along Jefferson Avenue between Dickerson and Alter Road.

            Come join Jazzin’ on Jefferson, Saturday June 27th, for some of Detroit’s best music, food and fun.

For more information about Jazzin’ on Jefferson and the Jefferson East Business Association, please visit www.jazzinonjefferson.com

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