Magic City Smooth Jazz
About Us
Magic City Smooth Jazz (MCSJ) is a 501(C) 3 nonprofit organization committed to providing access to quality jazz music programs for residents in Jefferson County and surrounding municipalities throughout Alabama. The mission of Magic City Smooth Jazz (MCSJ) is to engage and expose audiences in culturally underserved communities to various styles of jazz music in Alabama at no cost. Therefore, we target green spaces and underused facilities that allow families to enjoy cultural arts in neighborhoods and parks where they live. We strive to help improve the quality of life for all residents and neighborhoods we serve.
Our Story
In 2009, Magic City Smooth Jazz launched its signature event, Jazz in the Park, a FREE and OPEN summer concert series. Over the next decade, Magic City Smooth Jazz expanded Jazz in the Park offering FREE jazz concerts in various culturally underserved community parks throughout the state of Alabama to enhance cultural activities including the following counties: Autauga/Elmore, Bibb, Jefferson (15), Madison, Perry, Shelby (2), Tuscaloosa, and Walker. Having presented over 125 concerts, supporting over 300 Alabama area artists, impacting over 20,000 adults and children, and presenting interactive music education workshops for youth and adults, Jazz in the Park became a landmark event and cherished in many communities. In 2020, MCSJ suffered a devastating loss in leadership with the demise of Founder and Executive Director, Bernard Lockhart. In 2021, the board voted, Jacqueline Lockhart, wife of Bernard Lockhart, Executive Director. The past two years, the organization has worked to sustain the organization and keep the legacy alive through manageable community projects.