By Oniska Blevins
The Selma Times-Journal

Smooth tunes flowed through Riverfront Park Sunday evening, as community members lounged on the grass and listened to some jazz. Magic City Smooth Jazz stopped in Selma for their Jazz in the Park Selma concert.

The organization travels across the state hosting free concerts to enhance cultural activities through various styles of jazz.

Executive director of Magic City Smooth Jazz Bernard Lockhart said he was excited to see so many people out with their families celebrating Mother’s Day at the concert.

Adults lined across the back of the park in the shade as children ran up and down the grassed areas enjoying a nice day out in the park.

“It’s a very safe and welcoming family environment,” Lockhart said. “It’s good quality jazz music.”

Lockhart hopes the young people in attendance left inspired.

“I hope that it inspires a young person to maybe one day become a musician,” Lockhart said.

Several of the guests travel around to the concerts to see the featured artists in each city.
Darlene Burt was one of those people who drove to see the concert, and she was not disappointed.

“It was well worth the drive from Prattville to Selma,” Burt said. “I thought it was great.”

Cashmere Williams was up first as he introduced the audience to some of his new music from his album “Uptown.”

However, Williams played popular tunes by some of his musical idols.

Even though the audience seemed to enjoy the performance, Williams said he could see that the crowd truly felt the gospel song he played.

“Every time I do a gospel song that seems to resonate with people more than anything,” Williams said.

Williams said he felt awesome on the stage doing one of the things he loves most in the world.

Dee Lucas closed out the show with selections from his albums “The Sweet Spot” and “Going Deeper.”

The crowd enjoyed his renditions of some older classics as well.