TroyFest 2014 will officially kickoff tonight with a jazz concert hosted by the City of Troy at The Studio on East Walnut Street.
The concert was originally planned for the downtown Square but has been moved to The Studio due to weather concerns.
The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the concert will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Southeast Alabama Gas in Troy will provide free hot dogs and soft drinks.
Tables will be available for those who would like to bring an indoor picnic.
Shelia Jackson, Troy public relations and tourism director, said the kickoff event is free and open to the public.
“The jazz concert will be a great way to kick off TroyFest weekend April 26 and 27,” Jackson said. “We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy a great evening of jazz.”
Eric Ward, concert organizer, said the jazz concert will feature three Troy University jazz groups.
“The concert will open with the Troy University Jazz Ensemble 2 conducted by Doc Kirby,” Ward said. “Kellon Anderson, a student leader, will conduct the Jazz Band and the Troy University Jazz Ensemble 1 will close the concert.”
Ward said Jilla Webb, a professional vocalist, will perform with Jazz Ensemble 1 so no one will want to leave the concert early.
“Jilla Webb is the daughter of Jilla Webb, who followed Frank Sinatra as vocalist for the Harry James Orchestra,” Ward said. “Because her mother performed with the orchestra, Jilla grew up on the road with the Harry James Orchestra.”
Ward said Jilla Webb had many of the original hand written charts and those charts have been restored. Some of the music that Webb will perform at the jazz concert will be from those early charts.
The jazz concert will feature outstanding jazz music, an outstanding jazz vocalist and a place to dance.
“We’ll have a dance floor so those who want to dance can get up and dance,” Ward said. “Tonight will be a great night for jazz.”