Arts & Entertainment

Atlanta Smooth Music Festival Concert Series Starts June 14

Saxophonist Jeff Sparks will perform a benefit concert June 14 to kick off the 2014 Atlanta Smooth Music Festival Concert Series.

From a news release:

Saxophonist Jeff Sparks will perform a benefit concert at the Murray Arts Center, in Kennesaw on Saturday, June 14.

The concert is the first in the 2014 Atlanta Smooth Music Festival Concert Series, being presented by the Jazz Music Alliance and Jazz Grooves.
 
The series is a collaborative effort of the Jazz Music Alliance and Jazz Grooves.  Together they are working to preserve smooth jazz music, starting at the beginning, through education.

The series kicks off with Sparks providing a workshop to music camp students at Mt. Paran Christian School
 
“I remember when I was in school. It meant so much to spend quality time with professionals who had honed their craft. It’s a small way to give back,” said Sparks.

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As a part of the camp, students will be identified to open for the professionals.
 
The series also includes concert dates with flutist Althea Rene and saxophonist Tom Braxton.

About Jeff Sparks
Arrow Records recording artist Jeff Sparks has performed throughout the southeast region. Sparks produces life music that is affixed within multi generations; a seamless hybrid of old and new; a cleaver “twist” on classic jazz.  The great thing is that for the last couple of decades, he has used his God given talent to speak to people through his saxophone. Sparks believes “God created music, and through his anointing, is able to make timeless music.” His debut album is “Love.Live.Soul.”
 
A Berklee College of Music graduate with deep jazz roots, Sparks captures music lovers of all generations.  “I am truly grateful that the industry has embraced my music so passionately. I love the stage. I love connecting with people,” he says, “I’m an entertainer, sent to create experiences that put my audience right in the palm of my hands.” 
 
About Jazz Music Alliance
The Jazz Music Alliance is a not for profit organization with one goal – to preserve smooth jazz music. The Alliance has joined with Jazz Grooves to present a 3 part music series to raise monies to support their scholarship objectives. One of the initiatives of The Jazz Music Alliance is to offer scholarship to students who want to pursue a career in music education.
 
The Jazz Music Alliance  is dedicated to bringing live music and performance arts to our communities while supporting the constant improvement of the arts. It is our ultimate goal to ensure jazz continues to be  a vital and vibrant part of the local and national music scene.
 
About Jazz Grooves
Jazz Grooves began to satisfy the needs of Atlanta’s smooth jazz fans. Realizing that smooth jazz fans had to travel outside the metro area to experience all day concerts, led the organizers to explore the possibilities of offering smooth jazz music in a festival environment. The festival features award wining national recording artists who perform around the globe. Past performers have included Fattburger, Boney James, The Rippingtons, Nick Colionne, Walter Beasley, Urban Jazz Coalition, Paul Taylor, Jackiem Joyner, Althea Rene, Gregg Karukas, Pieces of A Dream, Bob Baldwin, 480 East, Jessy J, Tom Browne, The Sax Pack, Steve Oliver, Pamela Williams, and many others. 

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