This Memorial Day weekend brings the 36th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival to the city's Piedmont Park. Organizers expect more than 200 thousand people to attend the free concerts. The music starts Saturday, May 25 and runs through Monday, May 27th.

Camille Russell Love, director of the city of Atlanta's Office of Cultural Affairs, says this year they are focusing on Generation Next, the future of Jazz.

She says "We have always presented the best and brightest on the scene and this year we continue that mission with a focus on where jazz is right now and where it's heading." Russell Love says "Audiences will enjoy a wide spectrum of styles from traditional straight-ahead, Latin jazz and swing to jazz flavored with neo-soul, hip-hop, R&B and world music.
As technology brings us closer, musicians are collaborating from all corners of the globe and we're entering a new age of jazz."

Among the artists featured will be Cecille McLorin Salvant, Dominick Farinacci, Meshell Ndegeocello, Jose James, Tia Fuller, Aruan Ortiz, Gretchen Parlato and Rudresh Mahanthappa.

GPB's Ellen Reinhardt talked with Ms. Russell Love about the future of jazz. In our online extra they also talk about the programs the festival offers to help jazz stars of the future.

Tags: Memorial Day weekend, Atlanta Jazz Festival, Camille Russell Love, Jose James