Bobby Watson Group to headline 64th Mid-South Jazz Festival at APSU this week

CLARKSVILLE, TN − The internationally renowned Bobby Watson Group will headline the 64th Mid-South Jazz Festival April 3-5 at Austin Peay State University’s George and Sharon Mabry Concert Hall, 780 Marion St.

Multi-Grammy Award-nominated saxophonist Bobby Watson stands among the pantheon of present-day jazz greats, with a career spanning more than four decades as composer, bandleader, educator and producer. Watson will be accompanied by Marc Payne (piano), Curtis Lundy (bass), and James Sexton (drums). They will perform Saturday, April 5, at 7:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to arrive at 6:30 p.m. for the pre-concert talk by local jazz musicians Bo Clayton (trumpet) and Heath Rives (saxophone).

“The 64th Mid-South Jazz Festival culminates our 2024-25 community concert season,” said Ann Silverberg, Clarksville Community Concert Association president. “The Jazz Festival is a season highlight.”

The three-day event begins Thursday, April 3, at 7:30 p.m. with performances by the APSU Faculty Jazz Quintet and Collegians. The APSU Jazz Collective and Cumberland Winds Jazz Project will perform Friday, April 4, at 7:30 p.m. Both Thursday and Friday performances are free to the public.

Regular admission for the Saturday, April 5 headline performance is $25, with discounts available for seniors (65+), military personnel, and educators. Austin Peay students receive free admission, while non-APSU students with ID can attend for $5. Individual livestream tickets are available for $20. Parking is free.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.clarksvillemusic.org, call 877-811-0200, or email ccca@clarksvillemusic.org.