The OSU School of Music presents the 34th Annual Jazz Festival, Thursday, April 7 through Sunday, April 10 in Weigel Auditorium. The festival is an immensely popular tradition with something for every jazz lover – OSU jazz bands, college and high school jazz bands, workshops, and renowned guest artists.
The 2011 Festival opened with a concert by the Kenyatta Beasley Septet, featuring the music of Frank Foster on Thursday, April 7 at 8 p.m., in Weigel Auditorium. Beasley (Composition, Jazz Trumpet) joined the faculty in 2009 and has had a successful career performing with major artists such as Wyclef Jean, P. Diddy, Usher, and Gladys Knight and has won awards for numerous film scores.
Tickets at the door: $12 general admission / $6 senior citizens and students with ID. Cash or checks only.
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The OSU Jazz Ensemble, directed by Ted McDaniel will welcome guest guitarist Tim Cummiskey on Friday, April 8 at 8 p.m., in Weigel Auditorium.
Tickets at the door: $6 general admission / $4 senior citizens and students with ID. Cash or checks only.
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Saturday, April 9 will feature a full day of jazz performances running from Noon – 4 p.m., in Weigel Auditorium. Performances include the OSU Jazz Workshop Ensemble, directed by Jim Masters; the OSU Jazz Lab Ensemble, directed by Kris Keith; various other OSU Jazz Combos playing New Orleans, swing, bebop, latin, and fusion, coordinated by Shawn Wallace; the Michigan State University Jazz Orchestra II, directed by Etienne Charles, and the Oberlin Conservatory Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dennis Reynolds.
These performances are FREE!
The Saturday evening Headline Concert will feature the Carl Allen-Rodney Whitaker Project at 8:00 p.m. in Weigel Auditorium.
Allen, is a New York based drummer, prolific recording artist, bandleader, and producer. He has served on the jazz faculty at The Juilliard School since 2001, as coordinator of small ensembles and drum instruction. He currently serves as the interim Artistic Director of Jazz Studies.
Whitaker is a world-renowned jazz bass performer and educator who has an international reputation as one of the world’s finest jazz double-bass performers. He completed a seven-year tenure as bassist with Wynton Marsalis Sextet and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
Allen and Whitaker’s new CD, “Work To Do,” is now available from Mack Avenue Records. The CD is currently on JazzWeek’s Top 10 Airplay Chart.
Tickets at the door: $12 general admission / $6 senior citizens and students with ID. Cash or checks only.
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High School Jazz Bands conclude the festival on Sunday, April 10 in Weigel Auditorium. Adjudicated performances run from 9:30 a.m-4:00 p.m. The OSU Jazz Ensemble will perform a mini-concert at 4:15 p.m., followed by the awards presentations. All Sunday events are FREE!