Norman's Jazz In June Making Changes Due To COVID-19

Typically, thousands of people would be gathering in just a few weeks for a Norman summer tradition. 

However, like so many other things, this year’s Jazz in June festival has be forced to make changes due to the coronavirus.

“Here in Norman, one of our nicknames is ‘the city of festivals’ and that has really been tested this year,” Jazz in June development director Norman Hammon said.

Each year, between 35,000 and 50,000 people gather in Norman’s Brookhaven Village and Andrews Park for the three day festival, hosting local and national artists.

“We've had some of the best of the best,” Hammon said.

This year, the 37th annual Jazz in June will be in September. Hammon said they were grateful they were able to keep their same line up of artists.

“Each night has a theme,” Hammon said. “Thursday night is blues night, Friday night is jazz under the stars and Saturday night is jazz in the park, where we combine a whole bunch of genres.”

1. September 17 - Ghost Town Blues Band, Dirty Red & the Soul Shakers
2. September 18 - Lao Tizer, Oklahoma City Jazz Orchestra
3. September 19 – Shaun, The Marquis Hill Blacktet, The Max Ridgway Trio

The festival will hold a virtual concert on June 18, the night that would have kicked off the festival. The virtual concert will feature Jay Wilkinson and Caleb McGee & The Underdogs and will be streamed on the festival’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Organizers said they are staying flexible and know things could still change.

“We're waiting to see if there's going to be a resurgence (of COVID-19),” Hammon said. “So the September dates are the best we could do. It's a work in progress so something else could happen.”

Jazz in June is a nonprofit organization. The annual music festival and jam session are free to the public.

You can find more on Jazz in June here.