The annual Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival is returning to the Magic City for its 20th anniversary. The free event will take place August 26 and 27 in the Historic 4th Ave Business District between 16th and 18th street.

Keep reading to learn more about what you can expect at this year’s event including artists, vendors and more.

Celebrating 20 years of jazz

Taste of Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival — Get your lawn chairs out and get ready for a good time. (Taste of 4th Avenue, Inc.)

A major hub for black culture and commerce throughout the segregation era, the Historic 4th Ave Business District is a prominent destination in Birmingham history. Seeking to celebrate the spirit of the district, Urban Impact put on the first festival in 2003 and over the years it became a major Summer attraction for jazz lovers all around Alabama.

Who, when, where?

This year’s special two-day event will take place from 2-10PM Saturday, August 26 and from 2-8PM Sunday, August 27. Hosted by WBRC Fox 6 anchors Sarah Verser and Jeh Jeh Pruitt, it will be packed with plenty of food, merchandise and music all night long on 4th Avenue North between 18th and 16th street.

Here are some of the jazz musicians you can expect to see at the festival:

Saturday:

Grammy award-winning saxophonist David Sanchez
The Nashville Experience
vocalist Elnora Williams
trumpetist Jose Carr
guitarist Cashmere Williams
saxophonist Ves Marble
flutist Sherry Reeves

Sunday:

Jazz in Pink
vocalist Netra Young
KB’s Technique
guitarist + vocalist Fee Fee Redmond

Support local vendors

The jazz festival is supported by an abundance of local businesses contributing food, drinks and entertainment. It is also made possible by the City of Birmingham, Birmingham City Councilors, Jefferson County Commissioners, and more.

“I am always excited when our sponsors understand and support the mission of the festival, which is to bring people together from all walks of life (creating much needed unity) in the name of music.”
Carla Youngblood, Operations Director at Urban Impact

Here are a few of the local vendors you can expect to see there:

Visit their site here for a full list of vendors and sponsors.

Want to keep the Jazz Festival free? Click here to make a donation.

Have you ever been to the 4th Ave Jazz Festival? Send us your photos @bhamnow on Instagram and Facebook.