Schedule at a glance
Today, April 23 * Jazz at Memo’s: Featuring Alfred G, aka “The Doctor,” and saxophonist Dexter Poston, 6 p.m., Memo Grill, 430 E. M.L. King Blvd.Friday, April 24* Brown Bag Lunch Series: Shane Morrow, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Waterhouse Pavilion at Miller Plaza, 850 Market St.* An Evening With Eric Roberson: 8 p.m. concert at The Camp House, 149 E. M.L. King Blvd., $35.Saturday, April 25* Jazz Walk: Pop-up arts project features live music, artist market, family activities and free health screenings, Patten Parkway.Sunday, April 26* An Evening With Take 6, Gretchen Parlato and Alan Hampton: 5:30 p.m. concert at Memorial Auditorium’s Community Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave., $50.Through April 30* “The Times of Dave Brubeck”: Art exhibit on view at Chattanooga Public Library, 1001 Broad St.
Jazzanooga 2015 is winding down but not without a proper sendoff. Chattanooga’s celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month features two concerts this weekend headlined by premiere acts in contemporary jazz.
Performing Friday, April 24, at The Camp House is Eric Roberson. Following on Sunday, April 26, in the Community Theatre of Memorial Auditorium are Take 6, Gretchen Parlato and Alan Hampton. Both shows require tickets; find a link and more information at www.jazzanooga.org.
Also to be enjoyed before the celebration ends are a jazz session at Memo Grill, a lunch concert at Miller Plaza, a Jazz Walk on Patten Parkway and an exhibit on jazz pianist Dave Brubeck at the Chattanooga Public Library.
Begun in 2011 as a one-day community festival, Jazzanooga has grown into a monthlong commemoration that last year drew more than 4,000 participants of all ages, according to organizers.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
* Eric Roberson: The Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter continues to break boundaries as an independent artist with music influenced by soul, rhythm-and-blues, house, hip-hop, jazz and rock. Erro, as he is known by fans, has released nine albums under his Blue Erro Soul imprint and also has produced for other artists.
* Take 6: These six a cappella singers make up one of the most awarded vocal groups in history, with 10 Grammy Awards and 10 Dove Awards among their accolades, along with multiplatinum album sales and collaborations across genres. Syncopated rhythms, innovative arrangements and funky grooves propel their harmonies into a brew of gospel, jazz, R&B and pop.
* Gretchen Parlato: In the 10 years since her arrival on the jazz scene, she has emerged as one of the most inventive and mesmerizing vocalists of her generation. She has won numerous awards and been named best female jazz vocalist by DownBeat Magazine, JazzTimes and the Jazz Journalists Association. Her latest project, “Live in New York,” was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album.
* Alan Hampton: The multi-instrumentalist got his start as a jazz bassist and has worked in the studio and on the road with a who’s who roster of artists, including Sufjan Stevens, Andrew Bird, Meshell Ndegeocello, Robert Glasper and frequent collaborator Gretchen Parlato. His two solo albums include 2014’s “Origami for the Fire.”