The 47th Annual Winter Jazz Festival will be hosted by the Marshall University School of Music and Theatre this weekend in Smith Recital Hall. 

The festivities include Marshall ensembles as well as iconic jazz performers and educators. 

Trombonist Reggie Watkins, Professor Steve Heffner and assistant professor and former Blue Man Group percussionist Jess Nolan will be among those featured.

The festival also welcomes revolutionary alto saxophonist Jim Snidero. Snidero authored the first Jazz conception books.

“Jim Snidero is one of the leading jazz alto saxophonists in the world,” said director of jazz studies Dr. Martin Saunders. 

Friday, the university’s Alumni Band will perform at 7 p.m. followed by Marshall’s Jazz Combo I and special guests at 7:45 p.m.

The festival finale will begin 7 p.m. Saturday with the Thundering Herd All-Star Band followed by Jazz Combo I with Snidero and guests at 8 p.m.

All concerts are free to the public. Donations are accepted and will benefit the Marshall Jazz program.

Leah Cook can be contacted at [email protected].