The Elmhurst College Jazz Festival, one of the oldest and best collegiate jazz festivals in the country, is back this year with its usual all-star lineup of the industry’s most notable performing artists, as well as some of the country’s leading college bands.
Each February, the best college jazz bands in the country converge on the Elmhurst campus for three days of performances and education. The bands take turns performing for some of the greatest names in professional jazz today, who offer critiques and award a variety of honors.
The professionals cap off each night of the Festival with a rousing performance of their own. Featured performers this year include Mike Stern, Randy Becker, Bill Evans, The John Fedchock New York Big Band, and Michael Davis and The Hip-Bone Big Band.
The scheduled line-up…
On the first evening, Thursday, Feb. 21, following performances of bands from area high schools, Randy Brecker, Bill Evans and Mike Stern will perform with the Elmhurst College Jazz Band.
College and university bands will perform on Friday, Feb. 22, followed by a featured performance by Mike Davis and the Hip-Bone Big Band.
On Saturday, Feb. 23, Big Band concerts from other colleges and universities will perform, topped off by the John Fedchock New York Big Band.
On Sunday, Feb. 24, more Big Band sounds and combo performances will perform prior to the featured performance by Randy Brecker, Bill Evans and Mike Stern, performing with the Elmhurst College Jazz Band.
Other Festival headliners include pianist Michael Abene, baritone saxophonist Denis DiBlasio, tenor saxophonist Pat LaBarbera, drummer Dennis Mackrel, bassist Rufus Reid, trumpeter Bobby Shew, the Patrick Williams Big Band and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.
The Festival begins at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21.
It opens on Friday, Feb. 22 at 11:30 a.m., then again at 7:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Feb. 23, there will be a free clinic with Randy Brecker, Bill Evans and Mike Stern. This session is free and open to the public. The Fest portion begins at 11:30 a.m. and continues at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 24 will be the final day, commencing at 11:30 a.m. until its conclusion.
Tickets and information
The Elmhurst College Jazz Festival will be held in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel on the campus of Elmhurst College.
Tickets can be purchased for the entire weekend’s festivities ranging from $80-$90. For daytime concerts, tickets range from $10-$12, while evening concerts are $32-$38. Tickets for Sunday range from $16-$20. Tickets can be purchased by visiting elmhurst.edu/jazzfestival.
