KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A new music festival is coming to the Old City this spring.
JazzFest on Jackson, a free and family-friendly music and art celebration, will take place along West Jackson Avenue on Sunday, April 26, from 12 to 7 p.m.
The lineup will include American roots-inspired jazz, blues, soul and R&B music from local and national performers.
There will also be food, drink and art.
“The road closings have impacted all of the businesses on West Jackson Avenue, and we decided to get creative,” said Chris Ford, owner of Sweet P’s Downtown Dive. “We started by talking about how to bring the community together, and a festival just made sense. We love a block party, and the best thing to pair with really good local food and drink is really good music.”
The area of West Jackson Avenue has been undergoing long-term construction so festival organizers hope it will encourage people to visit the area.
"The cobblestone Jackson Avenue ramps and adjacent sidewalk are being replaced, as is the Broadway Avenue viaduct, and the businesses are bracketed by both projects," a release said. "The Downtown Knoxville Alliance has installed pedestrian-friendly messages, sidewalk directionals and a long fence screen with large icons to direct foot traffic."
The event grew from the idea of a concert to a full festival with seven hours of music, art exhibitions and an interactive kids’ area.
“We’ve all talked about wanting a different kind of music experience in Knoxville,” said Ford, who was the lead singer for the Knoxville-based band Gran Torino and is now a proprietor of a nationally acclaimed barbecue restaurant. “Think about that New Orleans flavor; it’s jazz, but it’s also blues and R&B. It’s unpretentious and approachable, and there is something for everyone.”
The event grew from the idea of a concert to a full festival with seven hours of music, art exhibitions and an interactive kids’ area.
Festival organizers said it will be an annual event and they plan to expand upon the 2020 footprint.
According to the release, live music will be held at three locations along West Jackson Avenue, including Sweet P’s outdoor Trailer Park space and The Standard, along with a main stage, beer garden and food in the adjacent parking lot.
"Additional activities include a jazz brunch at Balter Beerworks, a unique cocktail experience at Knox Whiskey Works, an art market located in the Sanders Pace Architecture parking lot and food and beverage tents near the stages," the release said.
Other supporters of the festival include Dogwood Arts, Downtown Knoxville Alliance, Lipman Brothers, Morris Creative Group and Status Serigraph.
A portion of the festival’s proceeds will be donated to BreastStrokes, a nonprofit combining women’s empowerment and art to provide financial support to cancer patients during treatment.
