Produced in part by Belmont Univeristy, the 2007 Music City J.A.M. (Jazz And More) festival, took place Labor Day weekend at Riverfront Park. Belmont University and the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business served as official sponsors for the event. In addition, the Curb College Service Corps provided more than 60 volunteers who served as ticket takers, information hosts, artist wranglers, stage hands and production assistants. Belmont also hosted a booth that featured wares from the entrepreneur shops on Belmont Blvd., the SIFE Rumba Roast coffee and Belmont Athletics. The School of Music Small Jazz Ensemble opened the festival both days.
Headlining the two-day festival was multi-platinum and Grammy-nominated R&B artist Brian McKnight. Other artists of national prominence who performed include Guitars & Saxes featuring Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Jeff Golub and Tim Bowman; American Idol finalist George Huff; and Grammy-nominated recording artist Jaci Velasquez. Tennessee’s own Kirk Whalum hosted the festival.
Honorary co-chairs of the event were Dr. Robert Fisher, Belmont University; Dr. T.B. Boyd III, President of R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation and Chairman of the Museum of African American Music, Art & Culture; and Dr. Melvin Johnson, Tennessee State University. The Music City J.A.M. was produced by Music City, Inc. in association with Belmont University and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit The Museum of African American Music, Art & Culture, and Music City, Inc.
