By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

An event that brings together friends, families and plenty of smooth jazz will be returning to two Shelby County cities later this year.

Magic City Smooth Jazz and the Jazz in the Park program recently announced it has returned for its 10th year as the program will bring shows to both Alabaster and Helena as part of its 29-concert lineup.

Jazz in the Park, which are free concerts featuring smooth jazz artists, will return to the Helena Amphitheater on Sunday, July 7, from 6-9 p.m. and anyone is encouraged to attend the event. The event will be highlighted by musicians Daniel “Jose” Carr and Vann Burchfield.

A few months later, Jazz in the Park will make a return trip to Alabaster’s Municipal Complex on Sunday, Oct. 6 from 6-9 p.m., as the event will be highlighted by Choko Aiken and On Purpose featuring Dwight Houston.

Magic City Smooth Jazz and the Jazz in the Park program’s purpose is to enhance cultural arts in communities, support area jazz musicians and educate youth and adults through music workshops.

Since its inception in 2008, Magic City Smooth Jazz has presented more than 50 free concerts for the public while supporting more than 250 Alabama jazz artists while impacting the lives of more than 20,000 adults and children, according to the organization.

Magic City Smooth Jazz is an IRS registered 501 (c)(3) charitable organization with the mission being to expose and engage audiences in culturally underserved communities in the state of Alabama to various styles of jazz at no cost to the public.

The Jazz in the Park program has expanded to offer 29 free concerts in 2019. The first free concert will take place April 6 and the final concert of the season will be held on Oct. 13.

For more information on Magic City Smooth and to view a full schedule for Jazz in the Park events, visit Magiccitysmoothjazz.com.