Central Ohio has one of the longest-running Jazz Guitar Festivals in the country. More details about the 17th Annual Denison Jazz Guitar Festival are below from Denison University:
The Denison Department of Music presents the 17th Annual Denison Jazz Guitar Festival, under director and founder Tom Carroll, taking place with concerts and clinics over two days. The opening concert for the festival features celebrated guitarist Jack Wilkins, at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, in the Burke Hall Recital Hall (240 West Broadway). Also on Saturday, instrumental clinics with Bob Ferrazza, Rick Peckham, Jack Wilkins and others will take place from noon to 5 p.m. in the Burke Hall Rehearsal Room (240 West Broadway). All events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Pam Hughes at 740-587-6220 or visit www.denison.edu.
Sunday, March 9, will feature two concerts. The first, with the acclaimed Rick Peckham at 4 p.m. in the Burke Recital Hall, immediately followed by a Grande Finale Concert featuring Wilkins, Peckham and other festival participants, also in the Burke Recital Hall.
Wilkins has been on the International jazz scene since the early 1970s. His flawless technique and imaginative chordal approach have inspired collaborations with Chet Baker, Sarah Vaughan, Bob Brookmeyer, and Buddy Rich among many others. A native of Brooklyn, Wilkins began playing guitar at age thirteen.
Peckham is a guitarist, clinician, teacher, composer and writer. In addition to extensive work in the United States, he has led or played on tours of Ireland, Canada, Spain and Germany.