Redemption for the Atlanta Jazz Festival! (An open letter to the Atlanta Jazz Festival)

Sean Jones Quintet

City of Atlanta:

Honorable Kasim Reed, Mayor

Camille Russell Love, Director
City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs

Atlanta Jazz Festival Staff:

Nnena U. Nchege
Festival Manager

Kim Hutchens
Grant Development Officer (Sponsorships)

Tiffani Bryant
Project Supervisor, Art in Education

Monica Prothro
Project Supervisor, Contracts for Arts Services

A couple of years ago, I wrote an open letter to the Atlanta Jazz Festival out of concern for what I perceived to be a festival that was, for the most part, “jazzless”. My belief at the time was that the dearth of jazz at the festival resulted in it not meeting the goals if its mission statement, which read as follows:

It is the mission of the Atlanta Jazz Festival to expose and entertain a diverse audience of jazz aficionados, young jazz enthusiasts and musical artists to the rich heritage and variety of jazz as an authentic form of traditional music.

In addition, I found it misleading to a public which, from my personal observations, already had many misconceptions about what jazz is and what its implications are as a true American art form.

After attending last weekend's festival and observing its lineup, I feel compelled to write a follow-up letter, and hereby state that I feel the festival has redeemed itself in a huge way! The festival featured local youth/school jazz bands earlier in the day, which is great exposure for them, as well as a source of motivation for them to further pursue this music.

What I am most impressed with is the selection of jazz artists chosen to headline the festival. As you are aware, these headliners consisted of:

(Saturday)

• Audrey Shakir
• Warren Wolf Quintet
• Regina Carter's “Reverse Thread”

(Sunday)

• Sean Jones Quintet
• Gerald Clayton Trio
• Ninety Miles (featuring saxophonist David Sanchez, vibraphonist Stefon Harris and trumpeter Christian Scott)

These are all JAZZ musicians of the highest order and an indication to me that the Atlanta Jazz Festival is serious about presenting a festival that is deserving of it's title, as well as fulfilling its new mission statement:

It is the mission of the Atlanta Jazz Festival to expose and entertain a diverse audience of Jazz aficionados, young Jazz enthusiasts and aspiring musicians to the rich heritage and variety of Jazz as an authentic form of traditional music.

Although the wording has slightly changed, the mission remains the same.

So, I write not to criticize, but to praise! I applaud the decision made to actually get back to presenting jazz; for providing important exposure for youth bands as well as established artists; for providing an example and direction for the general public; and for truly fulfilling the tenets of your mission statement.

To you, the organizers of the Atlanta Jazz Festival, I say, THANKS!

Regards,
David J. Boutté

Sean Jones Quintet