Festival Overview

For three decades, the KU Jazz Festival has been one of the focal points for jazz performance and education in the central United States. This non-competitive event has annually provided the region with a wonderful opportunity to hear and learn from world-class jazz musicians and educators. The festival is open to all college, high school and junior high/middle school big bands, jazz combos and vocal jazz ensembles.

Evening concerts feature a first-rate lineup of some of the most important and exciting musicians in the world of contemporary jazz, while daytime clinics and master classes with these and other artists allow students and community members to interact with them outside of the concert hall.

NEW THIS YEAR:  FESTIVAL OUTSTANDING SECTIONS BIG BANDS!

The Friday and Saturday Evening Festival Concerts will begin this year with a new feature for the KU Jazz Festival--The Outstanding Sections Big Bands!  Our clinicians will select (based on performance merit) individual sections from the bands that perform during the day to form a big band.  These bands (one for each day of the festival) will perform one tune to open that day's evening concert, and will be directed by two of our visiting clinicians.  The sections chosen for each day's band will be announced in Swarthout Recital Hall at the end of each day's performances (approximately 4:30 PM) , and the band will rehearse for 30 minutes immediately following the announcement.  Directors will be able to declare their bands eligible for the Outstanding Sections Big Bands during check-in at the registration table on the day of the festival.

Concert Tickets are available through the Lied Center Box Office (785) 864-2787
$15 Adults / $10 Students and Seniors
*All seats are general admission only

School Ensemble Directors:  Click Here 

JOHN FEDCHOCK

TIM
RIES

MATT HARRIS

GENE AITKEN