Reviving Chattanooga's Jazz Legacy: The Jazzanooga Festival Story
Jazzanooga isn't just introducing jazz to Chattanooga—it's bringing it back home.
"Some people hear 'jazz' and think it's exclusive, reserved only for elites," says Shane Morrow, the visionary behind the Chattanooga jazz festival.
Now in its fifth year, Jazzanooga is led by Shane and his partner, James McKissic, director of Chattanooga's Office of Multicultural Affairs. This month-long celebration occurs every April, aligning with Smithsonian Jazz Appreciation Month. The 2016 Jazzanooga Festival runs April 22-24. Buy your ticket here.
In 2014, over 4,500 attendees joined the events, with even larger crowds in 2015, bolstered by sponsorships from the Lyndhurst Foundation and Benwood Foundation. National stars like Grammy-winner Lalah Hathaway and American Idol's Ruben Studdard have headlined past years. This year's headliners feature Grammy-winner Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Octet, Chantae Cann, jazz bassist Christian McBride, Julian Lage, and Julie Dexter.
Yet Shane and James prioritize balance, spotlighting local talent alongside big names.
"Chattanooga boasts incredible musicians and young artists," James notes. "Showcasing them is central to Jazzanooga."
The festival blends entertainment with education, honoring Chattanooga's jazz contributions over the past century—from Bessie Smith, the 'Empress of the Blues,' to Valaida Snow, the pioneering African-American female big band leader praised by Louis Armstrong as the world's second-best trumpet player. Don't forget the Chattanooga Choo Choo, immortalized by Glenn Miller.
Jazzanooga captures jazz's full spectrum: its history, present, and future—echoing its roots.
"Nothing's truly new; it all cycles back," Shane reflects. "Today's jazz artists, local and national, strip away electronics to honor raw talent."
Shane, from a four-generation piano lineage with a jazz musician grandfather, and James, immersed in Crusaders, Larry Carlton, and more, bring deep personal expertise.
Raised in Cleveland, Tenn., James studied in New York, met Shane in Connecticut, and returned south. Shane, captivated by Southern culture, was stunned by the sparse jazz scene. Homesick for urban jazz access, they discovered Southern events were often unaffordable—ironic, given jazz's African-American Southern origins.
They made Jazzanooga inclusive: many free events, with VIP passes at $130 for three days of headliners like Eric Roberson, Take 6, Gretchen Parlato, and Alan Hampton.
"Affordability ensures everyone participates," James emphasizes. "No one should pay premium prices for music in their hometown."
Starting small without funding, it grew into a month-long event, proving Chattanooga's appetite.
"We aimed to spark positive change through arts," James says. "Sharing music and stories reignites jazz love here."
Now a regional draw—from Birmingham to D.C.—Jazzanooga's authenticity unites like jazz itself.
"Jazzanooga evolves with the community," Shane envisions.
The 2016 Jazzanooga Festival is April 22-24. Buy your ticket here. 
