Marquis Hill: New Gospel Revisited
Festival Headliner | Friday, April 28
“Hill commands a nimble technique, a fluid way of improvising and a pervasively lyrical manner. Unlike many young trumpeters, he doesn’t oversell his statements, instead moderating volume and emphasizing beauty of sound.” —Chicago Tribune
Joel Ross + Manzanita Quintet
Festival Opener | Thursday, April 27
“Joel is not only one of the preeminent instrumentalists of this era, but he is one of the greatest musical visionaries of his generation.” —Blue Note Records
“Ross’ playing erupts through the layers of lush arrangements like consistent currents of electricity, high-powered and full of luminous energy.” —DownBeat
Julian Tanaka
2023 Festival Composer
“Tanaka plays with colors and sonorities with all the enthusiasm of a kid in a candy store. He writes saxophone solos that sound straight out of Ralph Vaughan Williams’s Sixth Symphony.” —Fanfare
As RJF’s 2023 Festival Composer, Julian has written a composition especially for the Festival, which all groups are invited to perform in their performance review.
Workshops + daytime concerts
Friday April 28 + Saturday 29 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Participants and attendees have access to two full days of daytime concerts and jazz workshops, covering a range of topics presented by accomplished jazz musicians and Artist Educators from around the nation.
Jam Sessions
Thurs April 27 + Fri April 28 | 10 p.m.
Festival participants will have the chance to collaborate and improvise alongside peers at the “Thursday Jam.” On Friday evening, professional Jazz musicians, Artist Educators and some Festival headliners will take turns putting on a free improvisational show sure to dazzle and extend well into the early morning hours.
Festival Showcase
Saturday April 29 | 7 p.m.
The Festival Showcase finale features a curated selection of student performances that showcase creativity, innovation, fresh perspectives and exceptional sound. This closing showcase provides a compelling cross-section of performances, celebrating the future of jazz.
Student performance and review
Friday April 28 + Saturday 29 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Students perform before renowned Artist Educators during a 60-minute Performance Review. Each ensemble performs selections of its own choice and receives on-the-spot coaching and feedback immediately afterward.
A School Pass or General Admission Pass is required to attend the Student Performance & Review session. A complete schedule with student performance times will be emailed to School Directors approx. six weeks before the Festival.