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We are so excited to return to First Friday at First "LIVE" for our 2024 Jazz Series. Atlanta’s first choice for extraordinary jazz performed by many of the best musicians and vocalists to grace a jazz stage anywhere on the globe!The Season-aT-a-Glance:
February: Dwight Andrews, an award-winning musician, composer, professor, and Senior Pastor of First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, returns to launch our 2024 season. Andrews will surround himself with an A-list group of musicians to accompany him. A talented multi-instrumentalist, be prepared for multiple wind instruments, various jazz styles, fun, and a night of incredible music.
March: "Sweet" Lu Olutosin, influenced by the vocal stylings of artists like Lou Rawls, Joe Williams, and Al Jarreau returns to First Friday with his own unique masterful style, filled with ideas within his phrasing…a voice you will want to hear for many years to come.
April: Get ready for fire from the stage and dancing in the seats when Orquesta MaCuba joins us for their second First Friday appearance. Voted the best salsa band in Atlanta, this show is a must.
May: Renowned musician Wycliffe Gordon is a prolific artist, named “Trombonist of the Year” by the Jazz Journalists Association fifteen (15) times. Also a veteran member of the Winton Marsalis Septet, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and been a featured artist on Jazz at the Kennedy Center. He is one of the top trombonists of his generation and will demonstrate his mastery of hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz to the First Friday audience.
June: One should pay attention when Les McCann, Ramsey Lewis, and Ahmad Jamal speak highly of pianist Joe Alterman. Downbeat magazine describes his sound as “rooted in the blues, and with a touch reminiscent of the great pianists of the 1950s--Red Garland, Ahmad Jamal, Bill Evans.” The word “joyful” is repeated in several reviews of Joe’s work. Joy and Jazz.
July: Few people won’t recognize Keith David from TV, film, stage, movies, and his countless voice-overs for roles. First Friday at First is excited to have him grace our stage. He is also a remarkable singer who has played Nat King Cole and blues singer Joe Williams in two traveling shows. Expect some blues, jazz vocals, and fun!
August: The Black Gold Orchestra is a 19-piece big band, a collection of world-class Atlanta musicians seeking to amplify the rich tradition of Black American music and culture. Award winners, first-call musicians, composers, and producers are among the members. Their vision is to influence art, culture, and community. This will indeed be a unique and memorable evening of music.
September: People who haven’t heard Lori Williams sing will never forget her once they do. Her vocal skills have been compared to Maysa, Sade, Nancy Wilson, and Dianne Reeves. A music critic calls her voice “stunning, supple, subtle, sumptuous, and soulful.” As a musician, she is much more than a vocalist. She is an educator, producer, and songwriter, among other things.
October: Truly a trumpet master, Joe Gransden formed and led a big band playing the jazz classics reminiscent of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Duke Ellington, and Ella Fitzgerald. The Joe Gransden Big Band is quite popular in Atlanta. It has growing popularity everywhere, even performing for sold-out shows at the legendary Blue Note Jazz Club in NYC. First Friday at First is bringing Joe Gransden Big Band right here in downtown Atlanta.
November: Piano virtuoso, composer, arranger, and producer Gary Motley maintains a “relentless” standard of excellence. His dedication to his craft has earned him accolades worldwide, including induction into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and recognition from the National Endowment for the Arts. First Friday had the good fortune to pull him away from his commissions, his work as an educator, and commitments to do arrangements for his extensive network of artists.
The public is invited for great music, dinner, fun, and fellowship. Doors open at 5:30 PM. Seating is limited. The availability of tickets at the door are based upon advanced ticket and table sales. Season Ticket holders are guaranteed seating. Funds raised will be used to support other church programming and ministries.
For further information about First Friday at First or the purchase of Tables, General Admission or Student Tickets, please contact First Church at 404-659-6255 and ask for the church administrator during regular office hours or contact the First Friday team at [email protected].
Parking is available at the First Church parking lot off of John Wesley Dobbs at 105 Courtland Street, and other surrounding downtown parking lots .
COVID-19 Protocols
As part of our return to First Friday at First events, we are anxious to provide a safe and comfortable environment given current COVID-19 guidelines. We continue to reduce the number of seats per table and wearing of masks indoors is encouraged.
To attend our concerts, we ask that you stay at home if you are currently suffering from any of the following symptoms: fever, respiratory illness, cough, sore throat, or shortness of breath.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
125 Ellis St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303-2404, United States
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