People were gathered everywhere, sitting, laughing, and dancing to the music playing at Jazz Night in the River Market Pavilions Sept. 3. The crowd could smell the sweet and sticky caramel popcorn popping in the back. There were multiple food stations and local companies had booths: food vendors, local music teachers, and other city groups. Jazz Night is an annual event that helps more people listen and learn about local bands and musicians in Little Rock.

The headliner, The Dizzy 7, is a jazz band made up of seven guys. Three of the members play horns: trumpet, saxophone, and trombone, while the rest of the band is made up of the rhythm section. The lead singer, Genine Latrice Perez, had an amazing voice that beautifully hit every note. She also has a solo career with a few EPs, her most recent being “I AM” released in 2020. The band covered newer songs like “Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse and “Skyfall” by Adele. While they performed their own renditions of these contemporary songs, they also played classic songs such as Aretha Franklin’s “Say a Little Prayer for You,” which allowed the music to cater to all demographics.

In addition, the River Pavilions was a great place to have Jazz Night. The sun was setting, so it was reflecting off the water right by the bridge. There was a nice cooling breeze coming from the river, which made the temperature perfect for sitting outside. The music bounced off of the buildings downtown, ringing through the city and drawing in more people.

But people weren’t just sitting; they were singing along and dancing to the music, some reconnected with groups of friends, while others brought their computers and worked. This event was free, so anyone could walk up and sit if they wanted. Because of this, it was engaging for the community and allowed anyone of any background to enjoy the art and learn about local musicians.