University News

WIU Jazz Festival Feb. 14-15

February 10, 2020

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MACOMB, IL - The Western Illinois University School of Music will present the 47th annual Western Illinois University Jazz Festival in the COFAC Recital Hall Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14-15.

Friday's main event will be a 7:30 p.m. performance in the COFAC Recital Hall by the WIU Jazz Band and Jazz Studio Orchestra, featuring guest composer Alan Baylock.  Saturday will feature performances by college, high school and junior high students.
Baylock is quickly becoming recognized as one of the most creative voices in the music business. He is in demand as a composer, arranger, conductor, producer, instrumentalist and educator, and is the leader of the Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra.

Baylock's music has been performed and/or recorded by jazz greats Maynard Ferguson, Freddie Hubbard, Michael Brecker, Phil Woods, David Liebman, Jerry Bergonzi, Bobby Shew, Kenny Werner, Paquito D'Rivera, Nnenna Freelon, Tierney Sutton and many more. His eclectic talents have also led him to writing music for Roy Clark, Clint Black, Wynonna, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Spyro Gyra, Ronan Tynan and symphony orchestras across the country and abroad. An inspiring educator, Alan continues to write music for high school and collegiate level jazz ensembles, much of which is published by Alfred Music.

"Two Seconds to Midnight," the debut recording of the Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra (ABJO), was released in October 2003 on Seabreeze Records. After receiving international critical acclaim, the CD spent eight weeks on the JazzWeek national jazz radio top 40 chart. The ABJO released its newest recording, "Eastern Standard Time," in Spring 2008, and within one week, the disc had broken into the JazzWeek top 40.
Admission to the festival is $15 for the public; $10 for senior citizens; $7 for youth; and WIU students are admitted free with valid University ID. Tickets are available at the Hainline Box Office and at the event. 
The Friday night concert, featuring the WIU Jazz Band and WIU Jazz Studio Orchestra, with Baylock as a special guest, will be held in the COFAC Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. Saturday's concert will be in the COFAC Recital Hall at 3 p.m.

On Saturday, the lineup for middle/junior high, senior high and college jazz bands is expected to be outstanding. The guest artist/clinician will again perform with JSO on Saturday afternoon.  

Live-streamed events can be viewed on the SOM YouTube Channel and SOM Facebook.




Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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