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History
at Jazzin' on Jefferson 2007
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| The
fabulous Vanity Ballroom on the Historic Jefferson
Chalmers Business District |
The
planning for Jazzín' on Jefferson (JOJ)
began in 2003 when neighborhood residents and business
owners responded to a JEBA survey about a possible
community event and their overwhelming choice
was for a jazz and blues street festival. Jefferson
East Business Association (JEBA) began producing
JOJ in 2004 after recommendations from the Mayor's
Office of Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization
(ONCR), of which JEBA is one of the five selected
commercial district in the city; the National Main
Street Center in Washington D.C., and Governor Granholm's
"Cool Cities" Initiative.
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| At
Jazzin' on Jefferson 2004, Jazzhead blended
traditional Jazz styling with Detroit flavor
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A
steering committee, headed by former JEBA President
Alan Scott White, was established with its first
meeting in the fall of 2003. Under the leadership
of JOJ Fundraising Chairman Don Fitzsimmons, President
of Royal Transportation and current JEBA Board President
and then Executive Director Diana Stewart, JEBA
raised more than $50,000 for the festival including
sponsorships from DaimlerChrysler, Charter One Bank
and Comerica, as well as a host of other corporate
partners, local business owners and individuals
who believed that the festival was an excellent
way to promote the district to potential merchants
and residents.
In the first year, 2004, attendees enjoyed some
of the nation's most respected jazz and blues musicians
such as Rodney Whitaker, Thornetta Davis and Lonnie
Brooks and many local artists from 4731 Gallery,
Gallery 555 and Pewabic Pottery to Pangborn Design.
Bert's Marketplace and Edibles Rex provided
delicious food to eager audience members. After
tremendous success in its inaugural year, the Jefferson
East Business Association (JEBA) officially announced
Jazzin' on Jefferson 2005, its 2nd annual street
festival celebrating the jazz and blues heritage
of the East Jefferson District. That summer, nearly
10,000 people enjoyed the sweet melodies of jazz
combined with the soulful sounds of blues, delicious
barbecued chicken, smoked hickory ribs and other
ethnic cuisine as well as crafts and wares from
30 local artisans and vendors. Featured neighborhood
favorites and nationally renowned performers included
Marcus Belgrave, the Eddie Burns Blues Band, Kimmie
Horne and the renowned Dirty Dozen Brass Band.
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| NJ
Ribs gets the grill going with their one-of-a
kind kabobs |
2006 saw the biggest turn out yet with over 18,000
people enjoying the sites and sounds of the Jefferson
East area during the expanded festival that took
place over two days instead of one as in past years.
The Sun Messengers played to an enthusiastic crowd
well into the night and other acts such as the Gratitude
Steel Band, Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise
and others put on fantastic performances throughout
the two-day festival.
Jazzin´ on Jefferson 2007 was another great success with over 15,000
people enjoying 25 jazz acts on three stages. Hit performers include Eddie
Bo and Marcus Belgrave. It also included the first ever tour of available
properties and development opportunities within the Jefferson East corridor
and the highly successful JOJ Eve Preview Event!
Jazzin´ will be back in 2008 for its fifth anniversary on June 28th, 2008.
See you in June!
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