As the mid-September sun held rain clouds at bay Saturday afternoon, the sounds of neo-soul and afro-fusion emanated from Five Points Plaza.

The music marked the first few hours of the inaugural Hi Points Festival, an event spanning several genres and venues in Denver’s historic jazz neighborhood. The event replaces the longtime Five Points Jazz Festival, an annual free event which ended after 25 years.

Music ranged from jazz and funk to rock ‘n’ roll and hip hop to a wide variety of other genres along the Welton Street Corridor. In addition the the plaza’s main stage, several businesses in the area — including Spangalang Brewery, 715 Club, The Marigold, Fifth, Le Rougarou and Cousins Plaza — also hosted performances.

“The programming is intentionally designed to help boost the businesses, help boost their public visibility and help them out,” said Norman Harris, Executive Director of the Five Points Business Improvement District. “We think it really works in driving people into the businesses themselves.”

As attendees filtered into the plaza Saturday afternoon, they could be seen grabbing drinks from Spangalang and enjoying the music from the bar’s patio. One of those people was Al Baldwin, who was nursing a beer under the shade of a red umbrella.

“This is great,” Baldwin said. “The music is really cool. I’ve been to the jazz festival here in the past. I like that they’re changing it up with some other music as well.”

The festival was to be highlighted Saturday night by a tribute to the late bassist Charles Burrell, the first Black member of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra who died on June 17 at the age of 104. The event will also feature a performance by pianist Purnell Steen.

“Experiencing music in Five Points is really different than any other place in the city,” Harris said. “These bricks have been holding the vibrations of great musicians and the music they play for it seems like a century now. I hope people come away with an understanding that there’s no better place to celebrate and enjoy music.”

The festival is scheduled to run as late as 2 a.m. Sunday, according to a schedule provided by event organizers. Those interested can buy $15 general admission tickets through the festival’s website.