Jazz Weekend will feature students, faculty and international percussionist
Faculty and students from both Central Michigan University and various Michigan high schools will exhibit their passion for jazz during the 44th Annual Jazz Weekend on Feb 2-3.
CMU’s campus will host performances Thursday night, and throughout the day on Friday. The event kicks off with the CMU Faculty Jazz Combo playing at 7:30 p.m. at the Staples Family Concert Hall.
Tickets can be purchased online, at the door or through CMU Ticket Central. Prices are $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens.
On Friday, jazzy grooves will stretch across campus all day as big bands and ensembles from nearly 60 different Michigan high schools will perform for 20 minutes each in front of a panel of three judges.
The high school performances are free and open to the public, and will be located in six different venues on campus — the Staples Family Concert Hall, Dietz Band Hall, the U.C. Rotunda, Powers Ballroom and Chamichian Recital Hall.
The complete schedule of high school performances can be found on CMU’s School of Music website.
“For me personally, (Jazz Weekend) is about showcasing our students with a great guest artist,” said Rob Smith, associate professor of jazz-music.
CMU student jazz ensembles and Central Wails Saxophone Orchestra will play from 10 a.m.- noon and from 1:15 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. on Friday at the Bovee University Center’s Down Under Club. CMU’s Jazz Bones will also be featured at 3 p.m. in Plachta Auditorium, followed by Jazz Central at 4 p.m. and Jazz Lab 1 at 5 p.m.
The CMU featured performances are also free and open to the public.
Jazz Weekend will conclude with featured guest artist Carl Allen, an international jazz percussionist, who will perform with Jazz Lab 1 at 8 p.m. in the Plachta Auditorium.
The final performance does require a ticket and they are limited. They can also be purchased online or by calling CMU Ticket Central. Adult tickets are $10 and student and senior citizen tickets are $7.
