Live music, good food and a water slide was the perfect combination Saturday as people young and old gathered on Water Avenue to enjoy an afternoon at the seventh annual Jazz on the Grazz.

“Music is what makes the world go ‘round,” Councilwoman Angela Benjamin said. “Music brings people together, and I wanted an event where Selma could come and unwind.”

The community came out to listen to several talented performers sing, play and jam their way through the evening.

“It’s a community affair for everybody,” she said.

The music festival has grown immensely since its inaugural year when it only had the Concordia College Alabama Jazz ensemble performing.

“It has expanded to having several bands and vendors,” Benjamin said. “Every year it’s been expanding, so I’m happy about that.”

The lineup included Timeria “Tee-Tee” Baker, Natasha “T-Honey” Brown, Jock Webb on the harmonica, Deitrick Lawson on the saxophone, Grammy-nominated artist Reggie Hines, the Coolbone Brass Band and Jeremy Flyy and Flight Control.

Recent Concordia College Alabama graduate Victor Crowe played bass guitar for Lawson, but the two ended up jamming with a drummer and keyboard player they had never played with before.

“It’s truly been an exciting event today,” Crowe said. “It’s just a good time to bond with one another because we really need it around here in Selma.”

Jazz is the perfect genre for strangers to collaborate in, and they still played a great set.

“It was crazy. I’ve never played with none of them except the saxophone player,” Crowe said. “It was wild.”

Hines was also glad to see the positive vibe from the audience as he played his set, which included some of his songs and a few famous hits like “Purple Rain.”

“Unlike others, Jazzin the Grazz has its own special and spiritual feel to it,” Hines said. “You see the people listening to the music and enjoying it. The kids are dancing and it’s just a beautiful thing. This is what we need in society right now. We need good music and people to fellowship.”

A few drizzles of rain came down over the jazz festival, but it didn’t last long. The weather cooperated with the music fans for the rest of the evening as they enjoyed hearing new and familiar songs from their lawn chairs.

The music continued on as the sunset and the community continued to enjoy their day out fellowshipping with one another.