The Ohio State University School of Music presents the 42nd Annual OSU Jazz Festival March 20th through 24th at Weigel Hall on campus. The festival’s strong tradition – I had a wonderful time at last year’s festival – continues with five nights of jazz concerts and a Sunday afternoon of clinics for jazz students and educators. Highlights start early, as Wednesday’s (8pm) OSU Jazz Club Night reunites the award-winning, world-touring 1979 OSU Jazz Sextet as the All-Star Alumni Sextet, featuring trombonist and Grammy nominee John Fedchock, along with Kim Pensyl, trumpet; Randy Mather, tenor sax; Terry Douds, bass; Jim Rupp, drums; and newer alum Robert Mason sitting in on piano for the late John Emche. After the Headliner Concert Saturday at 8pm starring the Ohio Show Band with guest Richie Castellano (Band Geek, Blue Oyster Cult), The Ohio State University Jazz Ensemble directed by Kris Keith takes the stage for the Closing Concert Sunday at 6pm with a return appearance by Fedchock, along with Mather, Douds, and Rupp, playing Fedchock’s arrangements. All events are free and open to the public, so enjoy some great jazz this week at Weigel! Click here or keep reading for full details from OSU.
42nd Annual Jazz Festival
March 20-24
Weigel AuditoriumJoin the School of Music for a five-day festival celebrating America’s musical art form.
Featuring Ohio State Jazz Club Night with alumnus John Fedchock, College Night with Ohio State Jazz combos and Jazz Lab Ensemble, the Ohio Jaztet featuring guest pianist Xavier Davis, the Ohio Show Band with guest Richie Castellano and, new this year – Student and Professional Jazz Clinics for high school and college students, as well as music educators. The festival concludes on Sunday evening with a concert by The Ohio State University Jazz Ensemble.
All performances and clinics are free and open to the public. Full festival schedule available below.
Wednesday, March 20 • 8 p.m.
Jazz Club Nightwith guest artist John Fedchock, trombone, and the Allstar Alumni Sextet: Kim Pensyl, trumpet; Randy Mather, tenor sax; Robert Mason, piano; Terry Douds, bass; Jim Rupp, drums. Sponsored by the OSU Jazz Club
Thursday, March 21 • 8 p.m.
College Night with Ohio State’s Jazz Lab Ensemble and CombosFriday, March 22 • 8 p.m.
The Ohio Jaztet with guest pianist Xavier DavisThe Ohio Jaztet features Anthony Stanco, trumpet; Shawn Wallace, saxophone; Kevin Turner, guitar; Andy Woodson, bass; Jim Rupp, drums.
Saturday, March 23 • 8 p.m.
HEADLINER CONCERT: Ohio Show Band with Richie CastellanoSunday, March 24 • 12–5 p.m.
STUDENT AND PROFESSIONAL JAZZ CLINICSAn exciting new day of clinics geared for high school and college students as well as all music educators. The clinics are free and no registration is required. For more information visit Jazz Clinics.
Sunday, March 24 • 6 p.m.
CLOSING CONCERTThe Ohio State University Jazz Ensemble welcomes back alumnus John Fedchock, trombone. Alumni Randy Mather, tenor sax; Terry Douds, bass and Jim Rupp, drums will join Fedchock on all his arrangements. Kristopher Keith, director.