Bridgeport’s McLevy Green gets filled with live jazz music and food trucks on Saturdays.
“The purpose of the Bridgeport Jazz Festival Organization is to provide Fairfield County residents and visitors with a detailed profile of live jazz music performances. The cultural diversity of musical talent brings generations of family and friends together,” according to the festival website.
14 years old, native of Bridgeport Alivia Summerville will open the festival at 12:30 p.m. and the 15-piece band First class, top notch — whose members have played for the likes of Nicki Minaj, Mary J. Blige and Salt N Peppa — will be the final performance. Headliners also include Sherry Winstona jazz flautist who has performed with Stevie Wonder, and the Saxophonist Nelson Garciawhose singles have hit the Billboard charts.
providers like Delicious dishes from CT, Betzy’s Latin American cuisine, Goni’s Gourmet Lobster Truck and Holy guacamole will sell food and drinks at the festival. The event will also feature a raffle and music by DJ Dirk Millz between each performance, free COVID vaccine shots and book bags for children, according to David Daniels III, the event’s founder and creator.
Daniels said he wants to bring a jazz festival to Bridgeport after attending numerous festivals across the country and state over the past few decades. The debut of the Bridgeport Jazz Festival last year was a success, and drew in about a thousand people, according to Daniels.
“I think Bridgeport needs all the positive opportunities,” he said. “This is the largest city in the state and probably a place that could use some culture and entertainment for the populace. So why not Bridgeport?”
He encourages people to attend to enjoy the music and see the city of Bridgeport.
“Jazz is America’s true art form,” he said. “People need to see the city. The city has a bad reputation. We need to show it in a more positive light. It’s going to be a good time and a great day.”
