The Truth Staff
Councilwoman Cerssandra McPherson officially announced the details for the 2024 Glass City JazzFest on Thursday, July 11 at the site of the upcoming event, the Glass City Metropark.
“The third annual Glass City JazzFest will be held on August 10,” said McPherson to open the announcement. “This has been a dream of mine for many a year.”
The event is free and open to all and will start at 1 p.m. the day of the event and will continue until sunset. This year’s headliner will be Bob James, the world-renowned keyboardist, arranger and composer. James founded the band Fourplay, a contemporary smooth jazz quartet, and wrote “Angela,” the theme song to the 1980s television show “Taxi.”
The day of jazz will include various genres including traditional, Latin, fusion, smooth and contemporary.
Not only is the festival itself free, but TARTA will also be providing free transportation from two sites, announced Laura Koprowski, TARTA CEO. JazzFest attendees can park at The Docks or at Frankin Park Mall and catch a free ride to the site of the JazzFest.
In addition to Bob James, the other acts will be Andre Wright (featuring Perry Hughes) 496 West, trumpeter Allen Denard, trumpeter and vocalist Ilya Serov, saxophonist Jeanette Harris (with special guest flutist Ragan Whiteside.
The August 10 JazzFest is only the culmination of a week of jazz. Jazz week will feature free performances in various locales around the city. On Monday, August 5, Mike Miller & Friends will be at Middlegrounds Metropark at 111 Ottawa Street. On Tuesday, August 6, Lori Lefevre will be at Manhattan’s Pub ‘n Cheer; Mike Fageros will be at Table Forty 4 on Wednesday, August 7; Smooth Operations Project will be at Glass City Metropark’s Market Hall on Thursday, August 8 and Marion Hayden Legacy will be at Maumee Bay Brewing Company on Friday, August 9. All performances will be from 6 to 8 p.m.
The Glass City JazzFest is sponsored by the City of Toledo, Lucas County, Great Lakes Jazz Society, Metroparks Toledo and TARTA.