NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Jefferson Street Jazz and Blues Festival raised more than $20,000 to support Nashville businesses impacted by the tornado.
The festival, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, was broadcast online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers said a music-only version of the festival will be rebroadcast on Saturday via its Facebook page.
The concert also featured interviews with past festival artists and industry leaders.
The event, which honored Black Music Month, received donations to benefit the Jefferson Street United Merchants Partnership (J.U.M.P. ) and other businesses in the area that were damaged by the tornado earlier this year.
“Many businesses along the Jefferson Street corridor are still trying to determine next steps and how to recover from the tornado,” said Metro Council Member Sharon Hurt.
Hurt, who is also president and CEO of J.U.M.P., went on to say that “economic disparities, coupled with COVID-19, have impacted so many, with several businesses trying to decide whether to re-open or not.”
The J.U.M.P. office was also heavily damaged and condemned after the March 3 tornado.
