The Marshall University School of Music and Theatre concluded its 46th annual Winter Jazz Festival Saturday at the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse.
The three-day event consisted of workshops and performances by local middle school and high school students during the day.
Concerts by special guests and Marshall students, staff and alumni ended each evening.
Saturday’s concert included performances by the Thundering Herd All-Star Band, a band consisting of high school students and two Marshall students, and by the Sean Jones Quartet.
Sean Jones, trumpeter for the Sean Jones Quartet, expressed the importance for students to experience the world of live music.
“It is important that the young people that are coming up in college, this generation that’s in college and high school, are aware of what real American music is and the indigenous art form jazz,” Jones said.
Marshall was also represented during the festival along with Glenville State College.
The performances were given by Glenville State College Jazz Combo, Marshall University Jazz Combo I, Faculty Jazz Combo, MU Alumni Band, MU Jazz Ensemble I, including special guests Mark Sherman, vibraphonist, Marty Ojeda, tenor saxophone and Ryan Kennedy, guitar.
Jones said it is great to have such a great tradition.
“There’s a lot of places that maybe go five years and die off,” Jones said. “But for this to have such a tradition with education as well as producing live music, it’s awesome.”
Awards were given Saturday evening to students for outstanding solo performances.
Mikaela Keener can be contacted at [email protected].