Hundreds of people are enjoying the sweet sounds of jazz.<\/p>\n
From Daily\u2019s Place to Met Park, musicians are taking the stage and people are dancing in their seats.<\/p>\n
And in the street — lots of food and drinks for everyone to enjoy.<\/p>\n
Jacksonville Jazz Fest is a free, four-day festival that\u2019s been in Jacksonville for over 40 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe music, the people, and jazz are just relaxing anyway, I love jazz,\u201d Bernice Smith said.<\/p>\n
People travel from near and far to come out to the event. Paul Beverly came all the way from Atlanta.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe follow the jazz,\u201d Beverly said.<\/p>\n
Some locals are supporting their own — Jacksonville native, Jamison Ross.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe actually knew him growing up, and it\u2019s really fortunate to hear him play,\u201d Kathy McQueen said.<\/p>\n
Ross is a Grammy-award winning R&B solo artist. He\u2019s been traveling the world playing his music, and tonight he returned home to play for his family and friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was surreal,\u201d Ross said. \u201cI remember going to school, walking these streets. It feels good to be back home, celebrating the Jazz Fest with all of my new accomplishments in music.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ross credits his successful career to the musical programs he took from LaVilla Middle School to Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd to me, nothing beats how much I learned literally in my eight-year education in Jacksonville,\u201d Ross said. \u201cI tell people all the time, there\u2019s something in the water down here, you know, it\u2019s special.\u201d<\/p>\n
While he may be living in New Orleans and stamping new cities into his passport, Ross says Jacksonville will always have a special place in his heart.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing from Jacksonville has never left my bones, I\u2019m still a Florida boy,\u201d Ross said.<\/p>\n
Action News Jax has everything you need to know before you go.<\/p>\n
The music continues all weekend long. You can find all the details here by clicking HERE<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n