Music in the Park: An Evening of Jazz

Historic Washington State Park announces the annual summer concert series Music in the Park with the theme “An Evening of Jazz”. Enjoy an evening on the lawn of the 1874 Courthouse listening to live music from the past to the present. Bring your own lawn chair. In case of inclement weather, activities will be moved inside the 1874 Courthouse. What better way to spend a summer evening than music on the lawn, good food, and good friends?

Jazz music has its roots in local spirituals and other type of songs from the 19th century. One local area musician named Scott Joplin of Texarkana influenced modern jazz music through his “ragtime” music. Join the community as they did in the past to enjoy evenings of great musical entertainment at Historic Washington State Park.

Concert Lineup:

June 21 – Majestic Jazz Band

Majestic Jazz Band is a great local jazz band that has played in several local venues in Texarkana, Hope, and region. A group of talented musicians located in the Ark-La-Tex region that loved to share their love of jazz music.

July 19 – William McNally

William McNally is a ragtime enthusiast and performer of the music of Scott Joplin. McNally is the 2016 and 2017 champion of the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest and the first three–time winner of its New Rag Contest. He has several recordings including Chickens ‘n’ Kittens: a Ragtime Coup, which follows his interest in modern and classically trained ragtime composers. Learn more at www.williammcnally.com.

August 16 – 106th Army Arkansas National Guard Jazz Band

106th Army Arkansas National Guard Jazz Band is part of the Arkansas National Guard headquartered in North Little Rock, Ark. They perform at different venues around the state. Come and support our members of the Arkansas National Guard. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/106thArmyBand/.

Event is supported in part by City of Washington Tourism, Bobbie Arnold Atkinson Foundation, Tyson Foods, Farmers Bank and Trust, Washington Grace Cottage, Hempstead County Historical Society, and Historic Washington State Park.