Live Jazz Events in Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee is known for two types of music: country and western. But visitors and locals shouldn't miss out on the growing jazz scene. The savvy jazz fan can find low to no-cost music almost every day of the week. Here are a few suggestions.

For the lunch crowd Stillwaters Café, 1207 Jefferson Street, brings in top local jazz musicians to play from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Mel Deal is featured on Tuesdays, John Birdsong on Wednesdays, and Jerry Krahn on Thursday. Christ Kent and Wayne Avers hold court on Fridays.

The Jefferson Street area is undergoing something of a renaissance. In its 1960's heyday the area was lined with clubs drawing talent like Little Richard, Jimi Hendrix, and Ray Charles. June is the best time to hit the area with the annual Jefferson Street Jazz and Blues Festival, now celebrating its ninth year.

Jefferson Street merchants keep an excellent calendar at their website where you can keep up on local happenings. Point your browser to www.jumptojefferson.com/.

Not too far away, near Centennial Park, Café Coco programs free (free as in no cover charge, not like Ornette Coleman!) jazz every Sunday afternoon from 4:30 p.m. on. The first part of the evening is a jam session where local musicians can stretch out a bit and show off their chops.

The menu is excellent at Café Coco, so bring your appetite for food as well as for music.

The center of the Tennessee jazz universe is undoubtedly the Nashville Jazz Workshop. Big name national artists, excellent local pros and up-and-coming young players take the stage throughout the year. The NJW also sponsors events at various venues around town.

Noted recording artist Andy Laverne comes to the NJW "Jazz Cave" at 8 p.m. June 27. Cost for the concert is $25, but Laverne is holding a clinic for aspiring players at 1 p.m.

Workshop staff hosts occasional jam sessions that can bring out some excellent players and singers. Admission is free.

Other notable names coming to town include Tony Monaco, July 17-18, 2009; and the Joe Davidian Trio, July 24. Check out their website event listings for exact times and ticket information, www.nashvillejazz.org.

The Tennessee Jazz and Blues Society is staging a concert series at the beautiful Belle Meade Mansion throughout the summer. Ticket are $10 for TJBS members and $20 for non-members. The July 5 concert will feature El Movimiento with Giovanni Rodriguez, Rahsaan Barber, & Edwin Santiago. Pat Coll is set for August 9.

Concerts are from 6-8 p.m. on the lawn outside the Carriage Horse. Great food will be available from Martha's.

Over Labor Day weekend, The Seventh Annual Music City Jazz, Blues and Heritage festival puts a big exclamation point on the season of summer jazz in the city much better known for country crooners singing about ex-girlfriends, old trucks, and loyal dogs.

The two-day event takes over Riverfront Park starting 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5. Headliner Boney James brings his sweet sax sound to Nashville's premiere outdoor venue. James has four gold albums to his credit as well as two Grammy nominations.

Phil Perry, the "Pavarotti of Jazz," will also be featured in the event which brings in noted R&B artists as well as jazz musicians. The list of performers for the festival is long and continues to evolve. Check out the website at www.nbl4u.com/MCJHF.htm.

Be sure to bring a blanket, some lawn chairs, and don't forget the sun screen!

So whether you live in the Nashville area or in town to visit, if you want some jazz to spice up the abundant local country and western fare, you are sure to find something to meet the demands of your personal taste and wallet.