---
title: "Building Community through Jazz"
date: 2019-09-09
author: "Laurie Stroud"
featured_image: "https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/City-Scene-Jazz-in-the-Park-performers-TJW_0377.jpg"
categories:
  - name: "Entertainment"
    url: "/category/news/entertainment.md"
  - name: "Family"
    url: "/category/news/family.md"
  - name: "Music"
    url: "/category/news/entertainment/music.md"
tags:
  - name: "Featured"
    url: "/tag/featured.md"
---

# Building Community through Jazz

**Music Notes**

![Community Partner Logo 20 Years 150x150](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Community-Partner-Logo-20-Years-150x150.jpg "Community Partner Logo 20 Years 150x150")Brought to you by: Thomas Waters State Farm, [www.thomaswaters.com](http://www.thomaswaters.com)

On [October 13, 2019](https://birminghamchristian.com/event/jazz-in-the-park-2/) enjoy an evening of “Jazz in the Park” on the grounds of the Emmet O’Neal Library in Mountain Brook. The free event from 5-8 p.m. is hosted by the non-profit, Magic City Smooth Jazz. Since 2008, the organization has hosted over 125 free concerts in Alabama featuring more than 300 emerging and established artists and impacting the lives of more than 20,000 adults and children in the state. The organization’s mission is to “enhance cultural arts in communities, support area jazz musicians, and educate youth and adults through music workshops.” Thomas Waters and his State Farm team joined forces with Magic City Smooth Jazz last year in hosting “Jazz in the Park” in Homewood and are supporting “Jazz in the Park” again this year in Mountain Brook. “I think music is a great way to connect people across all demographics,” says Waters. “Music is a true connectivity for our city.” ![Music Notes Jazz in the Park crowd TJW 0537](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Music-Notes-Jazz-in-the-Park-crowd-TJW_0537-300x160.jpg "Music Notes Jazz in the Park crowd TJW 0537")

![City Scene Jazz in the Park best Thomas on Stage TJW 0282](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/City-Scene-Jazz-in-the-Park-best-Thomas-on-Stage-TJW_0282-300x246.jpg "City Scene Jazz in the Park best Thomas on Stage TJW 0282")Thomas Waters and his State Farm team helped host Jazz in the Park in Homewood last fall. This year they make their way to Mountain Brook with a free concert on the grounds of the Emmet O’Neal Library, 50 Oak Street, 35213.Jazz in the Park, held on Sundays from April through October, attracts between 1,000-1,500 visitors each week. The series travels to different parks throughout the state where residents can watch local and national jazz artists perform. “We use jazz as the platform to build a stronger community,” founder Bernard Lockhart said adding that Jazz in the Park is programmed to be a multi-generational event for citizens ages 2 – 92+ without any barriers related to cost including ticket prices, parking, and opportunity to bring your own food and beverages. Learn more at [www.magiccitysmoothjazz.com](http://www.magiccitysmoothjazz.com) and mark your calendar for a great evening of music and community October 13 in Mountain Brook! †