As the temperatures finally cool and fall arrives, Lexingtonians will have a chance to enjoy a pleasant evening outdoors this Friday night at Saluda Shoals Park on Bush River Road.

The Saluda Shoals Fall Jazz Series debuts this Friday, Sept. 6, kickstarting a month of superb jazz artists entertaining guests on the park’s outdoor deck. The shows run from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This Friday’s performer is an adventurous, experimental player, Amos Hoffman.

Hoffman is an internationally-recognized Israeli jazz guitarist and oud player (a form of mandolin) and is celebrated as a pioneer in blending Middle Eastern rhythms and melodic themes with modern jazz.

In 2013, the Israeli musician received the Landau Prize for Arts and Sciences, in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of jazz. Now based in South Carolina, Hoffman continues to embark on new musical adventures and reach an ever-expanding audience.

Next up on Friday, Sept. 13 is one of the Midlands' own, Mark Rapp. As a trumpeter, composer and bandleader, Rapp is nationally acclaimed, and he’s played with everyone from Darius Rucker of Hootie & The Blowfish to saxophonist Branford Marsalis from the iconic Marsalis jazz family.

But Rapp also has a hand in cultivating jazz talent right here. He founded ColaJazz.com, an initiative to grow, elevate and support the jazz community in and around Columbia through events, education, recordings, and advocacy.

The series switches things up considerably on Sept. 20 with a set from Les Flat Out Strangers. While Rapp mixes funk and soul into his jazz stylings, Les Flat Out Strangers go in the opposite direction. The group specializes in hot jazz and gypsy swing. This truly enjoyable combo’s repertoire includes, obscurities, covers of tunes by the great jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt and standards live “All Of Me,” “My Blue Heaven,” and “Undecided,” all featuring expressive vocals, melodic solos, and an engaging group spirit.

Interestingly enough, the Columbia band started out in 1998 as a guitar-bass duo that also played rockabilly and country. But over time, guitarist Robbie Grice and bassist George Fulton grew to love the music of Django Reinhardt and swing in general, so the band expanded to a sextet, and they added a singer, completely changing their sound.

The series wraps up on Sept. 27 with one of our area’s most beloved musicians and his new band. Reggie Sullivan and The Congaree Saints close things out with a fascinating style.

This variety/R&B band will make you rethink the capabilities of the upright bass. Their unique look and utilization of the upright bass as a lead instrument has created high demand for the group for private parties and special events.

Tickets for each edition of the Saluda Shoals Fall Jazz Series are $12 per person in advance and $15 on the day of the performance. There will be food trucks on site each week, and beer and wine will be available for purchase.