Friday, Saturday packed with free music, fun for 30th annual Alexander City Jazz Festival

If you’re looking for free, family-friendly outdoor events this weekend, Alexander City has you covered for two days. 

It’s the 30th year for the Alexander City Jazz Festival, a two-day event presented by Russell Lands on Lake Martin. 

“For the entire event, there’s no cost to attend,” said Ed Collari, president and CEO of the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce. 

On Friday, the Jazz Festival’s first half takes place in Tallapoosa County, at Alexander City’s Strand Park. Kicking off the music at 6 p.m. will be the city’s own Benjamin Russell High School Jazz Band. They will be followed by Tragic City at 7:30 p.m.,  and Sweet Lizzy Project at 9 p.m. 

On Saturday, the entertainment shifts just outside of Alexander City into Elmore County. It’s being hosted at The AMP at Lake Martin (also known as Lake Martin Amphitheater), 8879 Kowaliga Road, Eclectic. 

“It’s a very scenic, very beautiful amphitheater that overlooks the lake,” Collari said.

Saturday night opens at 6 p.m. with Montgomery’s own John Bull Band. They’ll be followed by at 7:30 by Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics. Headlining at 9 p.m. is the Heather Gillis Band. 

Collari said guests are allowed to bring coolers for both evenings. 

“You can bring food and alcohol,” Collari said. “We got approval from the city for both venues.”

Collari said the Jazz Festival will usually draw about 5,000 to downtown, and up to about 3,000 to The Amp. 

“This year with COVID-19, we don’t anticipate as big of a crowd,” Collari said. 

Coronavirus precautions

All Jazz Fest guests are being encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing. 

To help guests, social distancing circles are being created throughout Strand Park and at The Amp on Lake Martin. 

“We have an old plastic swimming pool that’s 6 to 8 feet around, and we’ll create circles throughout both outdoor venues for folks,” Collari said. “We encourage them to come, set up in your circle and use that to abide by social distancing guidelines.”

Washing stations and sanitizer will be available, Collari said.

While this will be free fun, Collari said not to come if you’re not feeling well, or aren’t comfortable getting out in public. 

“It’s a free event, so you don’t have to worry about tickets, refunds or anything like that,” Collari said. 

More information is available online at www.alexcityjazzfest.com or on Facebook @AlexCityJazzFest. Contact the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce at 256-234-3461. 

About the bands

Friday at Strand Park

6-7 p.m.: The Benjamin Russell High School Jazz Band - Led by Dale Bloodworth, BRHS Director of Bands, the Jazz Band meets during the spring semester and performs a spring concert and represents the school and Pride band program at numerous events each year.  The ensemble is open to all students who are interested and dedicated to the challenge of performing a great and vast selection of material in a short amount of preparation time. 

7:30-8:30 p.m. Tragic City - An instrumental sextet from Birmingham that blends elements of funk, jazz, hip-hop and rock to create their own unique sound. Tragic City has recently played alongside the likes of The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Tim Lefebvre (David Bowie, Tedeschi Trucks), FlowTribe & Miss Mojo. 

9-10:30 p.m. Sweet Lizzy Project - One of the most culturally significant bands to emerge from Cuba in recent years, Sweet Lizzy Project has a distinctive sound imbued with overtones of classic American indie-pop-rock suffused with an intoxicating Latino flair. Lead singer Lisset Diaz’s incomparable voice, which has been likened to that of a long-caged sparrow finally set free, captures listeners’ imaginations, note by note, leaving fans enthralled as they surrender to the group’s mesmerizing force field of sound. 

Saturday at The AMP

6-7 p.m. John Bull Band - These veteran players from Montgomery channel their sound from an era in American music that began about the time Little Walter "electrified" the harmonica and ended about the time B.B. King recorded "Thrill is Gone.” Their sound seamlessly swings from uptown to lowdown, right at home in the swankiest nightspot or the funkiest juke joint. On lead vocals and harp, John Bull is a member of the Alabama Blues Hall of Fame. 

7:30-8:30 p.m. Ruby Velle & the Soulphonics - They’ve made a name for themselves captivating audiences with their stirring live performances. They’re a world-class modern soul revue topped off with the cherry of Velle’s sultry voice, as she deftly toggles between sweetly crooned R&B tunes and expertly belted barn-burning get-downs that can instantly jolt a roomful of wallflowers into a wild dance party. 

9-10:30 p.m. Heather Gillis Band -  Gillis is the complete package as a guitar player, lap steel player, songwriter, singer and arranger. She and her band have the stage presence and confidence to appeal to a variety of musical tastes be it rock, soul, jazz, roots or gospel.   At 23 years old, Heather has not only formed a following at a local level, but has played alongside and befriended members of The Allman Brothers Band, Col. Bruce Hampton, The Lee Boys, North Mississippi All-Stars, Matt Schofield, and many more.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel at sheupel@gannett.com.