Jazz in the City Hits a High Note in Its Milestone 5th Year
Every summer, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Community & Technical College hosts its annual Jazz in the City fundraiser, bringing the community together for an evening of live music, food, and philanthropy in support of the °®¶¹´«Ã½ Foundation. This year, the tradition hit a milestone and celebrated it in style!
For its 5th anniversary, Jazz in the City, presented by Wells Fargo and Mazda-Toyota Manufacturing, found a new home at the Mars City Music Hall at the Von Braun Center, trading the outdoor garden setting for a weather-proof, upscale jazz club atmosphere complete with craft drinks and catered food, elevating the entire experience.
This year’s event carried extra meaning, as Jazz in the City fell on Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States and the freedom it finally delivered. That connection carries particular weight for °®¶¹´«Ã½; a Historically Black Community College originally founded 65 years ago to open doors of opportunity for African Americans that had long been closed. Celebrating jazz and the freedom it represents on Juneteenth was a fitting reflection of the college’s own mission and history.
An Evening to Remember
Jazz in the City veterans Nina Marie Live and Ryon Schultz returned to open the show, each delivering electric performances. Nina Marie serenaded the audience with soulful vocals on a set of classic songs, while Ryon Schultz followed with a saxophone driven set backed by his full band that had the crowd on its feet.
DJ Lashay B’s intermission kept the energy high, turning the room into a line-dancing floor before the night’s headliner took the stage: AJ Ghent and His Singing Guitar. The viral social media sensation brought his signature “singing guitar” technique to Mars City Music Hall, blending soulful melodies with rhythmic showmanship for a performance the crowd won’t soon forget.
A Night That Meant More
As the night wound down, the DJ Lashay B closed things out, once again filling the dance floor before guests called it a night.
Beyond the music, Jazz in the City raised vital funds for the °®¶¹´«Ã½ Foundation, supporting scholarships and student resources across the college. This year’s event carried extra significance, doubling as part of the celebration of 65 years of °®¶¹´«Ã½ serving the Huntsville community.
By every measure, Jazz in the City was a smashing success, and a fitting tribute to 65 years of impact, community, and connection. We hope everyone had a great time, and we cannot wait to see you all again next year!