Marietta, GA, January 23, 2012 – Jazz Grooves will kick off the 5th Annual Atlanta Smooth Music Festival with Jazz On The Square, on March 10, 2012, at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre. Performing will be flautist Althea Rene and Atlanta area saxophonist Jeff Sparks. Rene wowed the festival audience in 2009, with her amazing style. Atlanta’s Arrow Records recording artist Jeff Sparks opened last year’s festival to the delight of fans. Sparks is a breakout artist who has shared the stage with some of the genre’s greatest
legends.
Smooth jazz is new for the The Strand. “A smooth jazz concert will bring a different dimension to the Strand.” said Earl Reece, Strand Executive Director. For the 5th anniversary of festival, Jazz Grooves wanted to add another layer to the event. “For Jazz Grooves, The Strand is a good platform to either bring back an artist in a more intimate environment or introduce an artist that would be on a future festival line up.” Joe Cleveland, Managing Partner commented. “No matter where your seats are in The Strand, the
audience feels like they’re right there with the artist.” The Strand has a seating capacity of 500.
Jazz On The Square will have two performances, 6pm and 8:30pm. The 90 minute show will open with Jeff Sparks, concluding with a one hour performance by Althea Rene. This will be a great economic boost
for area restaurants. Tickets are available at The Strand box office.
About Jazz Grooves
Jazz Grooves began as a conduit to satisfy the needs of Atlanta’s smooth jazz fans. Realizing that smooth jazz fans had to travel outside the metro area to experience all day concerts, led the organizers to explore the possibilities of offering smooth jazz music in a festival environment. In 2008, the first Atlanta Smooth Jazz Festival was as a two day event, with headliners Boney James and The Rippingtons. In 2009 the name changed to the Atlanta Smooth Music Festival. The festival features award winning national recording artists who perform around the globe. Past performers have also included Fattburger, Nick Colionne, Walter Beasley, Urban Jazz Coalition, Paul Taylor, Jackiem Joyner, Althea Rene, Gregg Karukas, Pieces of A Dream, Bob Baldwin, 480 East, Jessy J, Tom Browne, The Sax Pack, Steve Oliver, Pamela Williams, and many others.
About The Earl Smith Strand Theatre
Located in the Square of Marietta, The Strand Theatre, is a noted landmark on the historic Marietta Square in Cobb County. The Strand got its start as a major motion picture house in 1935. Since then it provided
movie entertainment to thousands of people of all ages until it closed its doors as a movie house in 1976.
In 2002, Community leaders explored the possibility of restoring The Strand Theatre. Shortly thereafter, the group was formally organized as Friends of The Strand, Inc. In 2009, the 1935 art deco theatre reopened, providing classic movies, concerts, and more. www.earlsmithstrand.org
