SAXOPHONIST KIRK WHALUM RETURNS TO HOST MUSIC CITY J.A.M. LABOR DAY WEEKEND IN NASHVILLE, BRIAN McKNIGHT TO HEADLINE

Saxophonist favorite and Tennessee’s own Kirk Whalum returns to host the 2007 Music City J.A.M. (Jazz And More), which will take place Labor Day weekend, September 1 and 2, at downtown Nashville's Riverfront Park. Headlining the two-day festival will be multi-platinum and Grammy nominated R&B artist Brian McKnight. Other artists of national prominence to perform include Guitars & Saxes featuring Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Jeff Golub and Tim Bowman; American Idol finalist George Huff; The Gabe Dixon Band; and Grammy nominated recording artist Jaci Velasquez. Tennessee’s own Kirk Whalum will once again host the festival.
The two-day event will include the following line-up and schedule*:

Saturday, September 1
Gates Open: 11:30 a.m.
Live Music from: Noon - 6:30 p.m.
The Leonard Small Situation
Laura Vida
Fisk Jubilee Singers
George Huff
The Gabe Dixon Band
Guitars & Saxes featuring Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum,
Jeff Golub & Tim Bowman

Sunday, September 2
Gates Open: 12:30 p.m.
Live Music from: 1 – 9 p.m.

Denny Jiosa
Ron Gutierrez
Higher Ground
April Barrows
Kirk Whalum
Jaci Velasquez
Brian McKnight

Fireworks following final performance
*Artists and times subject to change

Tickets will be available for purchase Monday, July 30 at 10 a.m. online at Ticketmaster.com and at all Ticketmaster Outlets including Kroger and Macy’s. To charge tickets by phone, call (615) 255-9600. Ticket prices are $25 for a two-day pass and $15 for a single day pass. Children under 6 years old get in free. Anyone who purchases festival tickets the day of the event and can show their ticket for the John Merritt Classic will receive a $5 discount.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Museum of African American Music, Art & Culture (www.maamac.org), and Music City, Inc.

For more information on the Music City J.A.M. please visit, www.visitmusiccity.com/musiccityJAM or call 800-657-6910.

Honorary co-chairs of the event are Dr. Robert Fisher, Belmont University; Dr. T.B. Boyd III, President of R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation and Chairman of the Museum of African American Music, Art & Culture; and Dr. Melvin Johnson, Tennessee State University.

The Music City J.A.M. is produced by Music City, Inc. in association with Belmont University and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau.


Sponsors of the 2007 Music City J.A.M. include: Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, Belmont University, Tennessee Jazz & Blues Society, 104.5 The Zone, NewsChannel 5, Coca-Cola, Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce, Southwest Airlines, Jack Daniel’s, Ajax Turner, Renaissance Nashville Hotel, Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau.