I know I tend to go on and on about the events in Montclair – the Montclair Film Festival, Taste of Montclair, the YMCA 10K and Family Fun Run. Even the weekly Farmers Market feels more like a social happening than a produce-buying excursion. All of these popular gatherings started up since I’ve moved here. But it feels like the one that’s grown the most is the Montclair Jazz Festival.

August can feel so quiet in Montclair, with so many families off on vacation. But on the day of the Jazz Festival, people seem to come out of the woodwork.

This free event began seven years ago, an outdoor sampling of jazz performances where people tossed a blanket on the grass and soaked in some sun and some great music. Back then, 300 people showed up. Last year there were 10,000!

I am so excited to have Keller Williams sponsoring one of my all-time favorite events. We even have a tent where we’ll be giving out lemonade and cookies. (Consider yourself invited!)

I’m not sure how set in stone the schedule is, but here’s the proposed line up:

12 p.m. - 52nd Street Big Band
12:30 p.m. - Philly Soul Big Band
1:00 p.m. - Bright Moments Big Band
1:15 p.m. - Afro-Latin Big Band
1:45 p.m. - The Big Solid Sax Mob
2:15 p.m. - Jazz House Vocal Large Ensemble
2:45 p.m. - Jazz House Faculty Collective celebrates Bowie + Prince
3:45 p.m. - Michele Rosewoman + New Yor-Uba
4:45 p.m. - Dynasty Big Band featuring Louis Prima, Jr.
5:15 p.m. - Jazz House Big Band featuring Louis Prima, Jr.
6:00 p.m. - George Coleman Organ Quartet
7:15 p.m. - A Christian McBride Situation
8:30 p.m. - Dee Dee Bridgewater Quintet

Come and go. Bring a cooler. There are shuttles from parking and plenty of grass for lounging. Cool music on a hot day with a cold beer. It really doesn’t get any better.