Atlanta, GA, MAY 14, 2008 -- The countdown to the 31st Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival has officially begun! The City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs recently announced an incredible line-up and new additions to this year’s festival, taking place May 24 - May 26, 2008, in Woodruff Park. Throughout the month of May, music aficionados can celebrate 31 Days of Jazz with special events that lead up to festivities taking place over Memorial Day Weekend at Woodruff Park. Live jazz nightly at bars and nightclubs and dinner and jazz at some of Atlanta’s finest restaurants are just a few of the events that will take place throughout the city.

With 31 days of spectacular events you’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy great jazz artists in Atlanta’s hottest venues. For those who desire to dine with the downbeat, there is opportunity to indulge in Dinner & Jazz nightly at some of Atlanta’s finest restaurants, including: Fuego (May 15), Pisces (Nightly), Verve Lounge (Wednesday’s), The Grape (May 17), La Rumba (Sunday’s), Loca Luna (Wednesday’s), Café Circa (Monday’s), Ray’s in the City (Thursday – Sunday), Endenu (May 23), Arizona’s Tuesday’s and Friday’s), Flambeaux (Friday’s and Saturday’s), Se’Vauge (Nightly), City Grill (Wednesday’s), and Michons (Friday’s). Looking to jazz up your night? Visit the Studio 281 (Saturday’s) Pearl Bistro & Bar (May 23), Villa Christina (Wednesday’s), Friday Jazz at the High Museum (May 16), Barleys (Thursday’s), Star Blues & Jazz (Monday’s), Londzell’s (Tuesday – Sunday), Ray’s in the City (Thursday – Saturday), Apache Café (Wednesday’s), and the Blue Room (Fridays). The 31 Days of Jazz, culminates with the Atlanta Jazz Festival’s Memorial Day Weekend Celebration.

To celebrate the 31^st anniversary of the Atlanta Jazz Festival, the Office of Cultural Affairs is presenting music lovers with some of Atlanta’s most prominent artists in jazz over Memorial Day weekend! This year’s lineup of headliners includes world renowned saxophonist Mike Phillips. Phillips is a world renowned saxophonist and is also the musical director for internationally known music artist Prince. In addition to Prince, he has also performed alongside legendary artists such as Stevie Wonder. Phillips also serves as the official music spokesman for Nike/Brand Jordon and BMW. Find out more about Mike Phillips by visiting Hidden Beach Recording at www.hiddenbeach.com.

Along with all of the amazing jazz performances on the main stage, festival goers will also be able to enjoy up-and-coming jazz talent from the Atlanta Jazz Festival Future of Jazz Competition winners and the Youth Jazz Band Competition winners.

A complete 2008 Atlanta Jazz Festival schedule of events is available at www.atlantafestivals.com. To request media credentials to this year’s festival, please visit www.opulentinfluence.com and click on PRESS REGISTRATION.

The 31^st Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival’s Memorial Day Celebration at Woodruff Park Talent Line-up Consists of:

	SATURDAY MAY 24, 2008		SUNDAY, MAY 25, 2008		MONDAY, MAY 26, 2008
2p	Youth Jazz Band Competition - 3rd Place – Sandtown Middle School	2p	Youth Jazz Band Competition - 2nd Place – MLK High School	2p	Youth Jazz Band Competition Winner – Jean Childs Young Middle School
3p	Genetic Drift	3p	Bradford	3p	ZON 3
4p	Heather Johnson	4p	Kemba Cofield	4p	Mace Hibbard
5p	Rua 6	5p	Gordon Vernick & the GSU Faculty Jazztet	5p	Ron James & the Truth
6:30p	Bernard Linnette Interactive featuring Charito	6:30p	Joe Jennings & Howard Nicholson’s Lifeforce	6:30p	Jaspects
8p	Serenata Band	8p	The Ojeda Penn Experience	8p	Mike Phillips

ABOUT THE ATLANTA JAZZ FESTIVAL
The Atlanta Jazz Festival, an annual musical showcase, celebrates jazz legends and up-and-coming jazz greats in venues throughout metro Atlanta during the month of May and culminates in a 3-day music festival on Memorial Day Weekend. It is the mission of the Atlanta Jazz Festival to expose and entertain a diverse audience of jazz aficionados, young jazz enthusiasts and musical artists to the rich heritage and variety of jazz as an authentic form of traditional music. The 2008 Atlanta Jazz Festival builds on the success and heritage of previous festivals by continuing its expansion with a 31-day schedule. Sponsors of this year’s festival are: Anheuser Busch Companies, BET J, Coca Cola Company, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Publix Super Markets, Inc., Central Atlanta Progress, MARTA, Brand Atlanta, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, JazzTimes, Spelman College, 91.9 WCLK, Gibson Guitars, Ephiphone, SmartMusic, JW Pepper, Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, Smooth Atlanta, TD Entertainment, Upscale, and Premier Events.

A full 2008 Atlanta Jazz Festival artist line-up and schedule of events is available online.

For more information on the Atlanta Jazz Festival, please call the information hotline at 404.853.4234 or visit the website at www.atlantafestivals.com.

For General Information Contact:
Official Atlanta Jazz Festival Hotline
P) 404.853.4234
www.atlantafestivals.com

For All Press Inquires Contact:
Bria Bryant
The Opulent Influence Agency
404.935.0808
bbryant@opulentinfluence.com