The Ohio State University School of Music presents the 40th Annual OSU Jazz Festival from Wednesday, March 22nd, through Sunday, March 26th. The festival includes four evening concerts featuring students, faculty and headlining artists, along with five master classes, workshops for high school students and High School Jazz Band Day. World-renowned trumpeter and Columbus Jazz Orchestra artistic director Byron Stripling is the festival’s artist-in-residence and headliner this year, a role which includes conducting and performing in the Saturday night concert with the OSU Jazz Ensemble, leading three master classes (more details here), and serving as a guest adjudicator for High School Jazz Band Day on Sunday. A special element of the Saturday headliner concert is that the Ensemble will perform a newly completed composition by faculty member Anthony Stanco that was commissioned by the ensemble. Along with some of Columbus’ finest jazz musicians, the festival’s roster also includes guest artist Vincent Chandler on trombone, who will perform on Friday after leading a master class. All events are free and open to the public, so this is a great opportunity to learn more about (and from) this high-powered jazz department while experiencing vibrant live music. All concerts will be held on the OSU campus – see the below listing for exact locations. Keep reading for the full schedule and details from The OSU School of Music:
Monday, March 20th, 11:30am – 12:25pm: Master Class led by Byron Stripling: Music Business, Hughes Hall Auditorium, 1899 College Road North.
Monday, March 20th, 7 – 8:30pm: Master Class led by Byron Stripling: The Birth of the Blues, Hughes Hall Room 109
Wednesday, March 22nd, 5:15 – 6:15pm: Master Class led by the Bobby Floyd Trio with Bryan Olsheski, Weigel Hall Stage, 1866 College Road North. This class is a festival kickoff event hosted by the OSU Jazz Club.
Wednesday, March 22nd, 6:30 – 7:30pm: Master Class led by Byron Stripling: Learnin’ with Louis, Hughes Hall Room 318
Wednesday, March 22nd, 8 – 9:30pm: Bobby Floyd Trio and saxophonist Bryan Olsheski, Weigel Hall Auditorium. Both appear regularly with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. Floyd appears with distinguished orchestras including the Boston Pops and is currently the feature pianist for the legendary Count Basie Orchestra. Olsheski has performed worldwide as featured soloist for The Temptations, Steve Winwood and others.
Thursday, March 23rd, 8 – 9:30pm: Ohio Show Band, Weigel Hall Auditorium. The newly formed Ohio Show Band is a commercial music ensemble that performs contemporary music with concert-style production elements. This program will include Top 40, gospel, folk and R&B selections.
Friday, March 24th, 6:30 – 7:30pm: Master Class led by Vincent Chandler: A Study in Improvisational Motion, Weigel Hall Auditorium.
Friday, March 24th, 8 – 10pm: Ohio Jaztet with guest artist Vincent Chandler on trombone, Weigel Hall Auditorium. The Ohio Jaztet features Anthony Stanco, trumpet; Shawn Wallace, saxophone; Kevin Turner, guitar; Andy Woodson, bass; and Jim Rupp, drums. The group welcomes Vincent Chandler, known as a uniquely expressive trombone soloist, a versatile sideman, and innovative composer and arranger.
Saturday, March 25th, 9:30am – 3pm: Jazz Workshops, Steinbrenner Band Center, Ohio Stadium, 1961 Tuttle Park Place. The former Ohio State Jazz Specialty Days have combined into one exciting day of workshops covering improvisation, section playing, intonation, instrument maintenance and more. Registration is required for student participants and for band directors who wish to attend as observers. See Jazz Workshops for registration details.
Saturday, March 25th, 3:30 – 6pm: College Jazz Band Day, Weigel Hall Auditorium. Performances including Ohio State bands and combos.
Saturday, March 25th, 8 – 10pm: HEADLINER CONCERT: Ohio State Jazz Ensemble with Byron Stripling on trumpet, Weigel Hall Auditorium. The Ohio State Jazz Ensemble welcomes Columbus’ favorite jazz band leader, Byron Stripling, trumpet. Stripling will appear as both conductor and soloist for this special concert. A collection of canned goods to benefit the MidOhio Food Bank will be taken at the door.
Sunday, March 26th, 10am – 4pm: High School Jazz Band Day, Weigel Hall Auditorium. Ohio State Jazz Studies welcomes high school jazz ensembles of all levels to present short performances for comments and receive an individualized clinic from Ohio State faculty. Registration is now closed. Artist-in-residence Byron Stripling will be among the adjudicators and will provide brief coaching for each band. The day will conclude with a performance by an Ohio State jazz ensemble.