The first annual Vanport Jazz Festival will be held Saturday at Portland Meadows bringing in some of the top names in contemporary jazz while honoring the city’s great jazz legacy and the history of Vanport, a city rooted in Portland’s African American history.

Taking place on the actual site of the historic 1948 Vanport Flood, Portland Meadows will be transformed into a cultural revival, welcoming nationally renowned artists and breathing new life into Portland jazz. You’ll hear Boney James, Fourplay, Jazz flutist Althea Rene Culbertson, Mike Philips and Portland’s own Patrick Lamb.

Vanport Jazz Festival organizer James Taylor said it was because of Vanport that Portland has its jazz legacy and he wanted to continue that legacy with the concert.

Vanport was built for workers at the Kaiser Shipyards during World War II and it was the largest public housing project in the nation. Many shipyard workers were African-Americans from the south. It was the largest influx of black people in Oregon history.

The festival will run Saturday, Aug. 5 from noon to 9 p.m. with doors opening at 10:30 a.m. There will be food and beverage garden where you'll be able to order food from 15 of Portland's best food carts along with featured Oregon wines, microbrews and spirits.

General Admission is $75 with festival seating making it preferred that you to bring a lawn chair and or blanket.

Visit vanportjazzfestival.com for more information.