Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival
The Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival is a one day jazz festival held annually in Birmingham's Historic 4th Avenue District downtown. It is presented by the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and Urban Impact. In addition to music, the event offers food, swing dance lessons and exhibits, as well as films in the Carver Theatre (as part of the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival). The festival features nationally known jazz artists, as well as local jazz artists.
2007
The 2007 festival is scheduled for September 29. It begins with an opening parade at Kelly Ingram Park with Mayor Bernard Kincaid and Councilman William Bell officiating. Musiuc starts at 2:00 pm and continues until midnight. Performers include Jose Carr, The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame Youth Ensemble, Jerome Chapman, vocalist Annie Sellick with Ray Reach and Cleveland Eaton, Foxxy Fatts & Co, Gary Motley, Dee Lucas, Ronnie Laws, Jean Carne, Donald Witherspoon as "Billy Ocean" and the Birmingham Heritage Band.
2006
The 2006 festival was held on September 23, the same weekend as the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival. It kicked off with a New Orleans style parade at 1:00 PM and continued with the New Orleans All-Stars, Tommy Stewart, Ray Reach and Friends, Foxxy Fatts & Co, Cleveland Eaton, Rolando Matias & the Afro Rican Ensemble featuring Bobby Matos, Johnny O'Neal, Eric Essix, Dee Lucas, the Birmingham Heritage Band, and Donald Witherspoon as "Billy Ocean."
Other activities included a swing-dancing tent, a children's area, and food and gift vendors.