February 6, 2024
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The Marshall University School of Music presents the 55th MU Winter Jazz Festival Feb. 14-16 at Smith Recital Hall. The Marshall Winter Jazz Festival is among the longest-running collegiate jazz festivals in the country and features numerous free performances throughout the festival. All concerts will take place in Smith Recital Hall and are free and open to all.
A hallmark of the annual Festival is the featured guest artist. This year’s featured guest artist is Canadian pianist and composer Earl MacDonald, a Joan C. Edwards Distinguished Professor in the Arts. MacDonald has collaborated with such jazz luminaries as Steve Houghton, Ingrid Jensen, Dianne Schuur and Maynard Ferguson. He is also the recipient of the esteemed Sammy Nestico Award for jazz arranging.
“We are thrilled to have such an incredible educator, performer, and composer as Earl as our guest artist this year,” said Jeff Wolfe, director of Jazz Studies. “Not only will audiences enjoy his performances, but our students will learn so much from him in their time together.”
Highlights of the Winter Jazz Festival schedule are as follows:
· 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14: WVU Jazz Trio and the Jewel City Jazz Orchestra
· 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15: Clinic for student participants with Earl MacDonald and for school directors with Jesse Nolan
· 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15: MU Jazz Combo I and the Earl MacDonald Trio.
· 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16: Clinic for student participants with Earl MacDonald and for school directors with Jesse Nolan
· 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16: The Thundering Herd All-Star Jazz Ensemble, and MU Jazz Ensemble I, featuring Earl MacDonald
The Winter Jazz Festival also includes performances from regional middle and high school jazz ensembles from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, and Friday, Feb. 16.
For more information about the Festival, visitwww.marshall.edu/music/jazz/events/jazzfest.