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Performers at the Steel City Smooth Jazz Fest. (Steel City Smooth Jazz Fest)

In the first week of June, some of the biggest names in smooth jazz will come to the Magic City for the 11th year of the iconic Steel City Smooth Jazz Fest. Whether you’re a jazz aficionado or just someone who loves an outdoor festival, this is one weekend of unforgettable entertainment you won’t want to miss.

Read on to learn more about the Steel City Smooth Jazz Fest, its incredible lineup of musicians and how a portion of the proceeds derived from the live stream will benefit families affected by the recent California wildfires.

About the 11th Annual Steel City Smooth Jazz Festival

The Steel City Smooth Jazz Festival started over a decade ago with a simple goal: bring the bright, rhythmic melodies of world-class smooth jazz to the heart of central Alabama. Since then, the festival has grown into one of the city’s most popular annual events, drawing thousands of eager fans and jazz enthusiasts from across the Southeast each year.

Held at Legion Field and Linn Park, the 11th annual Steel City Smooth Jazz will bring big-name headliners and local talent to the heart of downtown Birmingham, all while supporting a great cause: raising funds to help victims of the California wildfires.

“After 11 years of building a global footprint, it only makes sense to give back—to people who look like us, who are us. Many of the artists we work with have been personally impacted, so we feel called to ease the burden however we can.

This is bigger than music—it’s about legacy, transparency, and creating something future generations can carry forward.”
Cedric Allen, President and CEO, Empowerment Incorporated

What: The 11th Annual Steel City Smooth Jazz Festival
When: Thursday, June 5 — Sunday, June 8
Where: Legion Field (400 Graymont Ave W, Birmingham, AL 35204) and Linn Park (20th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203)
Tickets: Available online and at the gate.

This year’s lineup features local + nationally-recognized artists

The Steel City Smooth Jazz Festival kicks off on Thursday, June 5, with a FREE Line Dance Soiree’ at historic Legion Field, featuring Line Dance artists DJ Bad Boy Butch*, DJ Chris Coleman*, Logan the Entertainer* and Cupid.

The fun doesn’t stop there! The festival continues over the weekend with a series of shows hosted at Linn Park in the center of downtown Birmingham.

Friday, June 6 (gates open at 4PM)
- James Wesley*
- PJ Spraggins*
- Kyle Turner
- London Koi*
- Special EFX All Stars
- Eric Benét

Saturday, June 7 (gates open at noon)
- Viereck Johann*
- Lao Tizer Band
- Brian Bromberg, Paul Brown and Elan Trotman
- Robert Glasper
- Leela James
- Norman Brown
- ConFunkShun
- Anthony Hamilton

Sunday, June 8 (gates open at 1PM)
- Great Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church*
- Allen Pruitt, Jr. and Called II Worship*
- Birmingham Community Mass Choir*
- Michael Alexander Sutton
- London Koi*
- Choir (TBA)
- John “Sax” Williams and Non Secular
- Marvin Sapp

*= local artists.

Of course, you can’t have a Birmingham festival without good food! The streets around Linn Park will be packed with local food trucks and vendors, art exhibitions and more—so there will be plenty to eat in between sets!