Louisville Residents Know How to Jazz It Up

If you like music, Louisville’s got it all. From bluegrass to gospel, classical to contemporary, pop and hip-hop to country and western, and everything in between - you can find it all in Derby City. And Jazz is certainly no exception. Louisville has a history of nurturing jazz talent, and this summer is a great time to experience this timeless musical genre.

Now through mid-July, over 600 young jazz musicians are in town for the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops at the University of Louisville. Weeklong and two-day workshops are taught by some of the greatest jazz professionals from all over the country. And the best part is that student concerts are free and open to the public. From noon until 5:00 p.m. on July 13, you can come by the Comstock and Bird recital halls to hear some great music with no charge. Then the week of July 23, professional jazz musicians who have been in town to teach at the workshops will perform free of charge at 7:30 p.m. most evenings. Check out www.jazz.louisville.edu for more information.

Another hidden gem on the Louisville jazz scene is the Sunday service at Clifton Unitarian Universalist Church. Each week, a jazz trio of U of L students wows church-goers there with their talent and youthful energy. And if you consider visiting because you’re more interested in the music than the service itself, no problem. The folks there won’t give you a hard time, and you’ll be amazed at the great, free jazz you’ll hear.

Of course, Louisville offers more than just free jazz opportunities. Professional artists visit frequently as well. One such highly anticipated concert will take place at Churchill Downs at 6:00 p.m. on August 24 when contemporary jazz musician Marcus Johnson performs. Tickets are $100, and the proceeds support the Lincoln Foundation’s major educational initiative, the Whitney M. Young Scholars Program.

Louisville residents who love jazz have lots of opportunities to indulge their interests around town at everything from free concerts to top notch professional performances. And these events are just a few of the many opportunities available. To explore them all, check out Louisville Jazz Society. You’ll be thrilled with the breadth and depth of possibilities you’ll have for jazzing things up a bit.

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