The Denison University Department of Music proudly hosts the longest continually running Jazz Guitar Festival in the United States. Founded in 1997 by Tom Carroll, jazz guitarist and recently retired coordinator of Jazz Studies at Denison, this weekend’s 21st Annual Denison Jazz Guitar Festival will bring together guitar greats from around the area and the world to continue “to promote the virtuosity of jazz guitar playing.” The festival kicks off on Saturday, October 28th at 1pm with clinics presented by talented clinicians like Brett Burleson, Chris Buzzelli, and Kevin Turner plus a Meet and Greet with Saturday’s headliner, the great Russell Malone. Festival Concert I starts Saturday evening at 7:30pm with performances by a duo of Buzzelli and Mary McClendon along with Malone’s featured set. This concert is followed by a reception and jam session led by Turner. The festival concludes Sunday evening at 7pm with Concert II featuring the Olli Soikkeli Trio, led by Finnish guitarist Soikkeli, who recently played with his Rhythm Future Quartet at Notes. Sunday’s concert is followed by a Grand Finale Jam Session featuring festival artists and clinicians. All events are free and open to the public, and will be held in the Recital Hall and Rehearsal Room of Burke Hall at Denison University, 240 West Broadway, Granville, Ohio 43023. Keep reading for a clinic schedule and videos of the featured artists.
Saturday Clinic Schedule
(NOTE: More clinics may be added, and schedule is subject to change.)
1pm: Brett Burleson – “Right-hand Fingerpicking Technique for Jazz Guitar”
2pm: Chris Buzzelli – “Accompanying Singers”
3pm: Kevin Turner – “The Art of the Organ Trio,” with Jon Eshelman on B3 Organ and Seth Rogers on drums
4:15pm: “Meet and Greet” with Russell Malone