Nashville Jazz Workshop’s ‘Jazz In The Park’ Summer Series Expands

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Drummer Marcus Finnie will kick off this year’s expanded, five-month “Jazz in the Park” summer series from The Nashville Jazz Workshop on May 30.

The free community event returns to the Hadley Park Bandshell in Nashville from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., after a successful first season that attracted hundreds of music lovers last summer.

“This year is going to be amazing and because of last year’s success, we are expanding from three to five shows. We were so pleased that this series was well received by many community members, friends and neighbors,” says Mary Grissom, Executive Director of The Nashville Jazz Workshop. “Whether you are a jazz aficionado or new to the genre, this is a great way to enjoy the summer nights in Nashville with friends and family.”

The “Jazz in the Park” summer concert series is free and open to the public due to the generous support of well-known jazz educator Jamey Aebersold and series media partner, The Tennessee Tribune. Concert attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets, or enjoy the bench seating throughout the park. For more than 20 years, the Nashville Jazz Workshop has hosted more than 500 concerts and community events in Music City. The organization serves as a community center for the preservation and enjoyment of jazz music, with a commitment to supporting local musicians and encouraging new jazz listeners.

Finnie, who will kick this year’s series off on May 30, is a a well-regarded drummer who has recorded, toured and shared the stage with artists spanning various genres. His collaborators include Kirk Whalum, Donna Summer, Kurt Elling and many more. June 27’s event will feature Giovanni Rodriguez, a Grammy Award-winning multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, arranger and educator. He is the dynamic bandleader of the Music City Latin Orchestra.

Featured on July 25 will be Hollie Hammel, a vocal savant with an extensive background in music theory and aural skills. Hammel is a sought-after singer who has lent her talents to a wide variety of projects that span many genres. Emmanuel Echem will perform on Aug. 29. The versatile trumpeter, composer and arranger’s musical journey has led him to collaborate with a diverse range of artists like Eric Church, Joss Stone, Kirk Franklin and Lauren Daigle, to name a few.

The series will end on Sept. 26 with a performance from Andrew Golden, a driving force behind a vibrant jazz/funk ensemble that originated as a weekly residency in East Nashville. Golden draws inspiration from funk, soul, jazz and electronic influences, to reflect the beauty of everyday moments.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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