Jazz in Motion: Khari Cabral & Jiva Light Up Opening Night in Atlanta

Renowned jazz bassist Khari Cabral Simmons and his ensemble, Jiva, inaugurated the 2025 Atlanta Jazz Festival on Saturday afternoon. This esteemed celebration of the unique musical fusion featuring percussion, horns, bass, piano, and strings unfolds in Piedmont Park during the three-day Memorial Day weekend. Morris Baxter, a veteran WCLK radio host, greeted festival-goers and introduced Simmons and Jiva. “Happy Jazz Festival, Atlanta,” exclaimed Simmons from the stage's corner. Their dynamic hour-long set was an electrifying blend of live performance and casual jam, truly remarkable. The expansive greenspace brimmed with enthusiastic audiences, relishing earlier hits like “78 and Sunset,” “How Can We Go Wrong,” and “Samara Smiles.” Cabral warmly acknowledged the crowd, ensuring to spotlight each of his ten talented bandmates.