Two Grammy-nominated musicians are set to headline Destination Smooth Jazz on Saturday, September 5, at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage in Louisville, with saxophonist Marcus Anderson and guitarist and vocalist Andréa Lisa leading a night of live music, soul-inspired food, and a cash bar. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the show starting at 7 p.m., and tickets start at $75.
According to WLKY, Destination Smooth Jazz is a quarterly live music event that also features a cigar lounge as part of its evening programming. Anderson, who carries two Grammy nominations, built his national reputation touring as a featured member of Prince's New Power Generation and playing saxophone on tracks including “Revelation” and “Look at Me Look at You” from Prince's final studio album, HITnRUN Phase Two, released in 2015, according to Paisley Park. Since then, he has released 18 studio albums and landed five number-one hits on Billboard's Smooth Jazz chart and SiriusXM's Watercolors channel, per his own artist site, marcusanderson.net.
A Co-Headliner With International Range
Andréa Lisa, who also holds a Grammy nomination, brings a different musical path to the stage. Born in South Africa and raised in New Zealand, she released her debut album, Silver Lining, in 2024, led by the single “Vortex,” which reached number one on SiriusXM's Watercolors chart in September 2023, according to a report from Smooth Jazz Life. She has since collaborated with Grammy winner Kirk Whalum and recorded guitar parts for R&B group Kool & the Gang, as noted by Thornton Winery.
The evening is part of a quarterly “grown folks” entertainment series that pairs national touring artists with local African American culinary talent, wine and spirits tastings, and retail vendors, according to event listings on GoToLouisville.com. A portion of ticket proceeds will support F.A.C.E.S. of KY, which stands for Funding Artistic Create Education Scholarship.
A Venue Built On Black Louisville History
The show's setting carries its own story. The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage sits at 1701 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. The center's own history describes its role in preserving regional Black history, as published at kcaah.org.
That thread of local commerce continues through the event's ticketing arrangement. In addition to online sales, tickets can be purchased in person at Better Days Records, located at 921 Barret Avenue.
Jones's Role Extends Beyond The Record Shop
Jones's role extends beyond the record shop's ticket counter. In August 2026, Louisville Metro officials announced the formation of the Barret Avenue Business Association, and Jones was named to its inaugural board of directors, according to Louisville Metro Government. For a night built around national talent, the arrangement keeps the event rooted in local institutions.
