Jazz Fest Invitation

October 1, 2022

Dear Jazz Director,

We would like to take this opportunity to extend a special invitation to you and your jazz ensemble, vocal jazz ensemble, and/or combo to be a part of the University of Louisville Jazz Festival, Friday February 24, 2023 and/or Saturday, February 25, 2023. This invitation-only festival will be the culmination of a multiple-day celebration of jazz here on the University of Louisville campus. Please let us know which day you would prefer to perform, and we will do our best to try to accommodate your group with our scheduling.

Festival events will include clinics, presentations and performances by University and area jazz ensembles, combo performances, and other special events to celebrate America's indigenous music. The series of jazz events is a part of the University's diversity celebration and its observance of African American History month. We have a jam-packed schedule of events throughout the final days of the celebration that promises to be well rewarding for you and your group. Even if you do not wish to perform, please consider bringing your group to observe.

This year's guest artists will be trumpeter Scott Wendholt (Feb 24th) and saxophonist, Joel Frahm (Feb 25th). Each participating ensemble will have a 20-25 minute performance clinic with our festival adjudicators. This year’s adjudicators are: Matthew Pivec- Butler University, Jack Cooper University of Memphis, Marlin McKay Georgetown College and Sean Parsons Ohio University. Ensembles will receive citations for outstanding, excellent, and good performances. Outstanding performer awards will be presented to individuals as determined by the adjudicators. In addition, each participating group will receive a video recording of their performance. Other activities on Friday and Saturday will include clinics and/or performances by our guest artists, UofL jazz faculty and adjudicators.

The UofL Jazz Festival is also an excellent opportunity for students who are interested in attending the University to audition for music scholarships and activity awards and to tour the campus. If you have students who are interested in auditioning, please note that on the enclosed entry form. The University jazz program is a very active program with a renowned faculty. The UofL jazz faculty includes Mike Tracy, Jerry Tolson, Ansyn Banks, Chris Fitzgerald, Gabe Evens, Craig Wagner and Mike Hyman. The UofL jazz program includes big bands, combos, repertory ensembles, courses in jazz theory, improvisation, composition and arranging, jazz history, music technology, and jazz pedagogy. We offer both bachelors and master's degrees in jazz studies.

A limited number of performance slots are available. To assure your spot, please fill out the enclosed entry form and return it with your registration fee ($175 for jazz ensembles; $125 for jazz combos and vocal groups) by January 23, 2023. Registration forms may also be downloaded from our web site, jazz.louisville.edu. Your registration will not be complete until the registration fee has been received. Lastly, be on the lookout to hear from us about our upcoming Invitational Honor Jazz Band scheduled for April 28th & 29th 2023.

Sincerely,

Ansyn Banks, Festival Director