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Duke Pearson, Mary Lou Williams, Eddie Chamblee, Rufus Reid, Gwen Hughes These names are familiar to jazz fans, and hold a special place for jazz fans from Atlanta, Georgia. The city has certainly contributed her fair share of quality jazz musicians to the scene, and continues to build on this tradition with the Atlanta Jazz Festival. The festival, celebrating its 31st year, is the largest free jazz festival in the country. Only a few concerts require tickets, and the free events are scattered throughout the city. From its beginning as a weekend event in 1977 to the current 31 day extravaganza, the focus remains on jazz, America's first real musical genre. The music, and the Festival never fails to satisfy.

Just as it began, the Atlanta Jazz Festival kicks off with a weekend-long neighborhood jazz concert (this year in the Chastain Park Amphitheatre), but with the gradual growth in popularity of the celebration, there's plenty more to come. For the following thirty days, festivities will flow like water across the city, encompassing virtually every aspect of life there. Whether it be the Nightlife Series, featuring live jazz bands at area clubs; the Dinner & Jazz Series, combining live music and upscale dining; lunchtime jazz performances downtown or late night jazz jams at the Sheraton Atlanta, music echoes throughout Georgia's jazz capital.

The festival boasts big-name jazz musicians every year. With such notables as the Herbie Hancock Quartet, the Pete Escovedo Orchestra and Stella E., the Laws Family, Mike Phillips and The Bad Plus there's something for every jazz lover here. From top stars (look for Bret Love this year) to up-and-coming newcomers, the festival commemorates every stage of musical development, even highlighting junior and high school ensembles.

The Atlanta Jazz Festival wraps up with a highlight over the Memorial Day weekend, featuring the Jazz Education and Workshop Series, and everything you'd expect from a gala celebration of the country's homegrown music ... food, vendors of every sort and merriment on every corner. Make plans in May (the Festival runs the entire month) to visit Atlanta and revel in the celebration!

For more information about the Atlanta Jazz Festival call 404-853-4234 or visit www.bcaatlanta.com/ - 16k.

Soulful sounds of summer paid concerts

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