Jazz Fest 2025
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 28th, and/or Saturday March 1st, 2025. This 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.
This year's guest artists will be the Jeff Hamilton Trio, (Feb 28th) - and saxophonist, Antonio Hart. (March 1st)
Each participating ensemble will have a 20–25-minute performance clinic with our festival adjudicators. This year’s adjudicators are Jack Hesley- Jazz Bass, Patrick Bowen- Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, and Jarrard Harris Purdue University. Ensembles will receive citations for outstanding, excellent, and good performances as well as a video recording of their performance. One to two outstanding soloists will be determined each day by the adjudicators. Outstanding soloists will receive free tuition to attend the UofL Honors Jazz Band Invitational in April 2025. Additionally, the adjudicators will select an outstanding ensemble to open each evening’s 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 David Clark, Ansyn Banks, Chris Fitzgerald, Gabe Evens, Marlin McKay, Craig Wagner and Terry O’Mahoney. 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 bachelor’s and master’s degrees in jazz studies.
A limited number of performance slots are available. To assure your spot, please fill out the JazzFest25 Entry Form. The required registration fee ($180 for jazz ensembles; $130 for jazz combos and vocal groups) can be paid via check or with credit card. The registration deadline is January 27, 2025. 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 2025.
Schedule
Thursday, February 27, 2025
The University of Louisville Jazz Faculty will join the University of Louisville Symphony Orchestra to perform an arrangement of
The Jazz Fundamentals Suite.
The suite is an original composition by UofL Professor of Jazz Piano and Jazz Composition, Gabe Evens. This multifaceted musical composition relays a different view of the fundamentals of jazz. This concert is free!
Friday, February 28, 2025
Jazz drum master Jeff Hamilton will join the UofL Jazz Ensemble I for a set of swingin’ Big Band music. Then Jeff Hamilton’s Trio will perform what is sure to be a memorable night of fantastic music. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students.
Saturday, March 1, 2025
Saxophonist, composer, and educator Anotio Hart will join the Jazz Faculty and Jazz Ensemble I for a night of high energy blues, bop, and beyond. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students.