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Rising jazz vocalist Stella Cole will perform at this year\u2019s Jazz\u2019SAlive festival on Friday, Sept. 26. Credit: Courtesy \/ The San Antonio Parks Foundation<\/p>\nOne of the largest free jazz festivals in the country is back in swing this weekend.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The San Antonio Parks Foundation will host its 42nd annual Jazz\u2019SAlive festival Sept. 26 and 27 in Civic Park at Hemisfair, transforming downtown into a vibrant showcase of live music, food and culture.<\/p>\n
The festival runs from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and continues 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday. The parks foundation expects roughly 15,000 attendees and will offer family-friendly activities.<\/p>\n
Festival-goers can expect to hear a wide range of sounds \u2014 from classics to Latin grooves \u2014 across the event\u2019s two stages. The most anticipated artists will close out the festival each night.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Headlining on Friday night is Endea Owens and the Cookout. Owens, a Detroit native and Juilliard graduate, is an Emmy, Grammy, and Peabody award-winning bassist, composer and recording artist. Known as one of jazz\u2019s most dynamic rising stars, Owens has performed with icons Wynton Marsalis, Diana Ross and Jon Batiste. She\u2019s also a member of the house band on \u201cThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Closing out Saturday night is renowned Afro-Cuban percussionist and vocalist Pedrito Martinez. Praised for his electrifying performances, Martinez has collaborated with legends Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen and Eric Clapton. He\u2019s led the Grammy-nominated Pedrito Martinez Group since 2005.<\/p>\n
Notable local artists include singer-songwriter MiChelle Garibay-Carey, the St. Mary\u2019s University PM Jazz Combo and U.S. Air Force veteran and singer Brenn\u00e1 Parker, who is performing the national anthem.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rising jazz vocalist Stella Cole, who has amassed millions of views on social media for covers of classics like \u201cOver the Rainbow,\u201d is coming off of the release of her third album, \u201cIt\u2019s Magic.\u201d\u00a0 <\/p>\n
Rising jazz vocalist Stella Cole will perform at this year\u2019s Jazz\u2019SAlive festival on Friday, Sept. 26. Credit: Courtesy \/ The San Antonio Parks Foundation<\/p>\n
She said listeners can expect to hear many songs from her latest album, but also covers of some of the greatest hits and a little bit of country, too.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did a show in Nashville two nights ago and we started doing a little bit of Patsy Cline,\u201d Cole said. \u201cSo probably in Texas, we\u2019re going to continue the southern thing, because I also love bluegrass and country music.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
While her audience tends to be a range of ages, the 26-year-old said she loves introducing jazz to more young people.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels good to be part of this next generation who\u2019s carrying this music forward,\u201d Cole said. \u201cAnd that\u2019s a big part of my goal is just to keep the music alive and keep introducing new people to it. These songs are truly just timeless and wonderful and I think it\u2019s music that almost everyone, once they hear it, will like it even a little bit.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
In addition to the performances, attendees can grab a bite at the festival\u2019s food market \u201cfeaturing flavors that perfectly complement the musical lineup,\u201d according to the parks foundation.\u00a0 <\/p>\n
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Jazz\u2019SAlive attendees can purchase food from the festival\u2019s food market. Credit: Courtesy \/ Oscar Moreno Photography<\/p>\n
The festival will also feature an artisan market where locals will sell unique goods and artwork.\u00a0<\/p>\n