The Ohio State University School of Music hosts its 37th annual Jazz Festival Thursday, March 27 – Sunday, March 30. The four day festival includes performances by international jazz artists, highlighted by an appearance from saxophonist James Carter on Saturday night, as well as programs featuring high school and college ensembles. Here’s a breakdown of the schedule:
Thursday, March 27, 8 pm: OSU Jazz Ensemble with Kevin Turner, guitar, at Weigel Hall Auditorium. Turner, a Columbus native, is also a writer, producer and educator, and released HIM, his award-winning debut album of jazz renditions of hymns, in 2005.
Friday, March 28, 8 pm: Fred Hersch Trio at Wexner Center Performance Space. Cincinnati native and pianist/composer Fred Hersch will perform with his trio. Fellow renowned pianist Jason Moran said, “Fred at the piano is like LeBron James on the basketball court. He’s perfection.” Ticket info available here.
Saturday, March 29, 10 am – 2 pm: OSU Combos, Jazz Lab Ensemble and Jazz Workshop Ensemble at Weigel Hall Auditorium. No tickets required.
Saturday, March 29, 8 pm: Headliner Concert: James Carter, saxophone, at Weigel Hall Auditorium. Carter has received great acclaim in his versatile 20 year recording career. He has released over a dozen recordings, toured with Wynton Marsalis, and played with Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Cyrus Chestnut, Rodney Whitaker, Frank Lowe, and Julius Hemphill.
Sunday, March 30, 10 am – 5 pm: High School Jazz Band Day, with the OSU Jazz Ensemble at 4 pm, at Weigel Hall Auditorium. No tickets required.
Tickets for the Thursday and Saturday night performances are available through the Ohio State Theatre box office at (614) 292-2295. For more details, visit music.osu.edu.