Rhythm & Jazz on the Dock in its 17th year
If you happen to travel near Gateway Park at the corner of Riverside Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on a Sunday evening and wonder why people are parked all around and hopping out of their cars with blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets, they’re headed to Rhythm & Jazz on the Dock.
The Rhythm & Jazz on the Dock concert series was founded by Bob Fickling in July 1999. Each year, it takes place during April and May, picks back up in August and runs through October.
Over the years, Fickling has booked almost every locally based band in Middle Georgia, including the Conquest Band, Harold Thomas & The Danger Zone, Just Friends, Ladies of Interchange and many others. Rhythm & Jazz on the Dock has also headlined national recording artists such as Tom Brown, Freddie Cole, Midnite Ride and Ronnie Laws.
Fickling said Rhythm & Jazz on the Dock is the longest concert series of its kind. His passion for organizing such entertainment evolves from his life as a musician.
Back in the day, he started The Circle Band, in which he was the lead singer along with living band members Jerry Battle, Nate Turner and Pinky Waters.
Gateway Park has proven to be the perfect venue for this production with a life-size statue of the legendary Otis Redding and the stage set with the Ocmulgee River behind the performing artists. These free shows were set up to promote artists and engage Macon’s community with a peaceful atmosphere.
Each Sunday, between 1,800 and 3,000 people come to enjoy the atmosphere and sounds from 6-9 p.m. Unfortunately, if it rains, the event is canceled.
On Aug. 14, Edward Dunbar of the Drifters will perform live with THE BAND, singing classic hits like “Under the Boardwalk” at Rhythm & Jazz on the Dock.
For more information, like the Rhythm N’ Jazz on the Dock Foundation Facebook page or call 478-319-9167.
Meanwhile, as Fickling says, “See you in the crowd!”
Yolanda “Y-O” Latimore is founder of Poetic Peace Arts and director of Like Water Publicity, a media and booking agency. She is also a Macon Arts Alliance board member. Y-O can be contacted at ylatimore@gmail.com.
This story was originally published August 4, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Rhythm & Jazz on the Dock in its 17th year."