Music in the Park
Bluegrass in Central Park
Come out on March 27 at 4:00pm to a free community concert featuring Gilbert Nelson and the Jam Town Grass Band! Grab a friend, a chair, and enjoy a fun afternoon of bluegrass outside. All are welcome at this Music in the Park event!
Location and Parking
Central Park is located behind Central UMC and adjacent to the St. John's Street Parking garage in downtown Spartanburg. To navigate to the park, you may search for "Central Park" on your navigation system of choice. You may also navigate to the park using the address 233 North Church Street, Spartanburg, SC.
Parking is available in the Central UMC parking lot and the St. John's Street parking garage.
Parking is available in the Central UMC parking lot and the St. John's Street parking garage.
More about Gilbert Nelson and The Jam Town Grass
Gilbert Nelson & The Jam Town Grass is a Spartanburg-based five-piece band known for its dynamic bluegrass music. They are regular performers at the Gramling Opry House and have played at various breweries and distilleries in the Upstate. Strongly rooted in traditional bluegrass, the band often blends in elements of country, blues, rock, and gospel. Nelson has played banjo, guitar, mandolin, and dobro for 40-plus years. He sings with a playful attitude and loves both the “true mountain sound” and the more-polished “citified" bluegrass styles. His banjo can drive the music of the band or weep softly. Nelson teaches music full time in Boiling Springs, specializing in Jam Camps for novice jammers from throughout the southeast.
He is accompanied by wife Leigh Nelson on the bass fiddle and considered to be the heart of the band with her engaging smile and solid bass rhythm that creates a musical energy for listeners and the band alike.
Jeff Barnett is a seasoned musician with an affinity for popular old songs that he re-imagines. He is a band leader in his own right with Blue Sierra and The Bluegrass Gentlemen. He is the Jam Town Grass’s lead singer, and as a music historian, he keeps the band true to its roots.
Ceci Barnett plays mandolin, guitar, and bass, and brings the high parts of the vocal trio to life. She draws her repertoire from a variety of traditional, roots and Americana styles. By day, she is a full-time nurse and student.
Brian Baker plays the mandolin, bass, guitar, banjo, and horns, and creates the backbeat of the ensemble. Baker is versatile, singing both melody and harmony. Previously he played bass with Last Road Bluegrass in Greenville.
“Leigh and I have had the pleasure of performing at Central United Methodist Church before,” Nelson said. “But this is our first time in this configuration, and it’s a special honor to perform in their new outdoor amphitheater. Spartanburg deserves good homegrown music, and this venue is the perfect community spot to enjoy it.
“The band’s music is designed around vocal harmonies, driving rhythm, and interwoven instrumental sequences,” he explained. “There’s tradition in all that we do. Some of it is old and some of it is new. The arrangements are designed to be flexible, allowing spontaneity in the performance. You’ll hear some songs for the first time and some all-time favorites -- all in Jam Town's unique acoustic style.”
