Magic City Jazz Orchestra Lawler, trombonist Charlie Ard, saxophonist Neil McLean, arranger Steve Sample, Sr and pianist Ray Reach. SuperJazz has spawned a number of spin-off groups, such as the Night Flight Big Band and the Magic City Jazz Orchestra. In 1998, Ray Reach, then director of the UAB Jazz Ensemble and founding director of the Magic City Jazz Orchestra, contacted New York saxophonist Lou Marini in order to hire him to be guest artist and clinician for the annual "Weekend of Jazz" festival at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Mr. Marini subsequently came to Birmingham, where he conducted jazz workshops and
Love Supreme Jazz Festival broader styles of R&B, Funk, Soul and Blues; The Big Top, which plays host to the biggest names in Jazz and its neighbouring styles; The Arena, which hosts contemporary and progressive acts in the jazz sphere and The Bandstand, which hosts up and coming acts as well as local performers. The latest addition is Bands & Voices, which showcases a range of spoken word, dance and cabaret. Since its launch in 2013, the festival has hosted artists such as South African visionary, the late Hugh Masekela, Herbie Hancock, Earth, Wind and Fire, Grace Jones, Van Morrison, Laura Mvula, Jamie Cullum,