Latest Posts…
Oct 13, 2017
Jazz Fest Welcomes Reggie Thomas, Performing with MYA Jazz Combo (12pm) “One of the most in demand pianists and educators in the country, Reggie Thomas’ soulful, hard-swinging brand of piano immediately grabs an audience and assures them that a swinging time is set to be had by all.” -jazzstl.org “Few jazz keyboardists have excelled at both piano and organ…On piano, Thomas shows off a sensitive touch, a rich sense of harmony and fleet single-note runs; on organ, he delivers grits, gravy and gospel in satisfying portions…” -maxjazz.com Reginald Thomas can be seen fronting his own groups (Mardra/Reggie Thomas Ensemble; OGD) on both piano and Hammond organ and as a sideman with great artists including Hamiett Blueit, Ann Hampton Callaway, and the Carl Allen/Rodney Whitaker Ensemble. Most recently he was the accompanist for the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocal Competition at theKennedy Center in Washington DC. Reggie continues to appear as guest artist at collegiate jazz festivals around the country including Lawrence University, the University of South Florida, and Texas Tech University. He has also performed internationally in Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Milan, Italy; Warsaw and Poznan, Poland; Senegal, West Africa; and London, England. Recordings include work with Clay Jenkins, Kim Richmond, Clark Terry/Mike Vax, as well as his own recordings Fade to Blue with wife Mardra (MaxJazz), Standard Time (Victoria) and 4 (Jazz Compass). Reggie has been awarded the Excellence in the Arts award from the Greater St. Louis Arts and Education Council and was named in the Riverfront Times 2005 “Best of St. Louis” issue as Best Jazz Artist. Reggie is professor of music at Southern Illinois University... read more
Oct 13, 2017
Jazz Fest Welcomes Bob Lark and his Alumni Big Band (6pm) Bob Lark is recognized regionally, nationally and internationally as a contemporary jazz educator and performer of integrity. His approach to pedagogy and rehearsal techniques has been noted by participation in professional conferences; publication of articles; compact disc recordings as both a performer and ensemble director; and the direction of numerous student honors ensembles. Down Beat magazine recognized Bob’s work in 2010 with their Jazz Education Achievement Award. As a performer, Bob is a trumpet and flugelhorn player whose performances are especially notable for his lyrical style and fine tone. His harmonically oriented improvisations shift between aggressive and cool playing. In speaking of Lark, jazz icon Clark Terry stated: “He’s a very good trumpet player, a very good musician. He’s paid his dues.” Two compact disc recordings by Bob Lark and his Alumni Big Band – Sweet Return (Jazzed Media JM1068), and Reunion (Jazzed Media JM1057) – have received fantastic reviews by print and electronic media. Recently released on the Jazzed Media label is the critically acclaimed compact disc recording Thick As Thieves (Jazzed Media JM1075), by The Bob Lark/Phil Woods Quintet. This follows the success of a series of recordings on the Jazzed Media label, including additional recordings by The Bob Lark/Phil Woods Quintet; Bob Lark and his ALUMNI BIG BAND; and Bob Lark and Friends, with Phil Woods, Rufus Reid, Jim McNeely and Mark Colby. Bob’s playing and writing are also featured on the CD recordings Until You and First Steps on the Hallway label. He is an exclusive Yamaha Performing Artist. In 2013, DePaul University... read more
Jan 23, 2017
Congratulations to the 2017 Jazz Fest Award Winners! 2017 Grand Champion: Prospect Jazz Ensemble I High School Jazz Ensembles Class AA 3. Naperville North Jazz Ensemble 2. Mundelein Jazz Ensemble 1. Prospect Jazz Ensemble I High School Jazz Ensembles Class A 3. Carmel Catholic Jazz Band 2. Lewistown Jazz Ensemble 1. Tinley Park Honors Jazz Ensemble High School Jazz Ensembles II Class AA 3. TIE: Prospect Jazz Ensemble II & Warren Township Jazz Lab Band 2. Naperville North Jazz Band 1. Mundelein Jazz Orchestra High School Jazz Ensembles II Class A 3. Antioch Community Jazz Ensemble II 2. Champaign Central Lab Band 1. Champaign Central Stage Band High School Jazz Ensembles 1. Wheeling Jazz Band I High School Jazz Combo Class AA 3. Conant Jazz Combo 2. Prospect Jazz Combo 1. TIE: Fremd Jazz Combo & Naperville North Jazz Combo High School Jazz Combo Class A 3. Champaign Central Combo II 2. Carmel Catholic Jazz Combo 1. Champaign Central Combo I Junior High Ensemble I 3. Old Quarry Jazz Band 2. Cooper Jazz Band I 1. Holmes Jazz Ensemble Junior High Ensemble II 2. Holmes Jazz Band 1. Cooper Jazz Band II Soloist Medals Kevin Branner, Naperville North, Tenor Alex F, Champaign Central, Bass Janelle Finton, Buffalo Grove, Trumpet James Hix, Batavia, Drums Max Hubbard, Champaign Central, Alto John Kim, Fremd, Alto Nicole Koutun, Holmes, Piano Kayla Cutler, Buffalo Grove, Trombone Adam Manaster, Champaign Central Connor Mannebada, Warren Township, Piano Johan Montag, Highland Garret Munz, Mundelein, Alto Andrea Moreno, Wheeling, Alto Eunice Park, Holmes, Piano Anabel Perez-Brennan, Holmes, Drums Jacob Cushman, Fremd Combo, Drums Birch Creek Music Performance Center... read more
Latest Posts…
Oct 13, 2017
Jazz Fest Welcomes Reggie Thomas, Performing with MYA Jazz Combo (12pm) “One of the most in demand pianists and educators in the country, Reggie Thomas’ soulful, hard-swinging brand of piano immediately grabs an audience and assures them that a swinging time is set to be had by all.” -jazzstl.org “Few jazz keyboardists have excelled at both piano and organ…On piano, Thomas shows off a sensitive touch, a rich sense of harmony and fleet single-note runs; on organ, he delivers grits, gravy and gospel in satisfying portions…” -maxjazz.com Reginald Thomas can be seen fronting his own groups (Mardra/Reggie Thomas Ensemble; OGD) on both piano and Hammond organ and as a sideman with great artists including Hamiett Blueit, Ann Hampton Callaway, and the Carl Allen/Rodney Whitaker Ensemble. Most recently he was the accompanist for the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocal Competition at theKennedy Center in Washington DC. Reggie continues to appear as guest artist at collegiate jazz festivals around the country including Lawrence University, the University of South Florida, and Texas Tech University. He has also performed internationally in Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Milan, Italy; Warsaw and Poznan, Poland; Senegal, West Africa; and London, England. Recordings include work with Clay Jenkins, Kim Richmond, Clark Terry/Mike Vax, as well as his own recordings Fade to Blue with wife Mardra (MaxJazz), Standard Time (Victoria) and 4 (Jazz Compass). Reggie has been awarded the Excellence in the Arts award from the Greater St. Louis Arts and Education Council and was named in the Riverfront Times 2005 “Best of St. Louis” issue as Best Jazz Artist. Reggie is professor of music at Southern Illinois University... read more
Oct 13, 2017
Jazz Fest Welcomes Bob Lark and his Alumni Big Band (6pm) Bob Lark is recognized regionally, nationally and internationally as a contemporary jazz educator and performer of integrity. His approach to pedagogy and rehearsal techniques has been noted by participation in professional conferences; publication of articles; compact disc recordings as both a performer and ensemble director; and the direction of numerous student honors ensembles. Down Beat magazine recognized Bob’s work in 2010 with their Jazz Education Achievement Award. As a performer, Bob is a trumpet and flugelhorn player whose performances are especially notable for his lyrical style and fine tone. His harmonically oriented improvisations shift between aggressive and cool playing. In speaking of Lark, jazz icon Clark Terry stated: “He’s a very good trumpet player, a very good musician. He’s paid his dues.” Two compact disc recordings by Bob Lark and his Alumni Big Band – Sweet Return (Jazzed Media JM1068), and Reunion (Jazzed Media JM1057) – have received fantastic reviews by print and electronic media. Recently released on the Jazzed Media label is the critically acclaimed compact disc recording Thick As Thieves (Jazzed Media JM1075), by The Bob Lark/Phil Woods Quintet. This follows the success of a series of recordings on the Jazzed Media label, including additional recordings by The Bob Lark/Phil Woods Quintet; Bob Lark and his ALUMNI BIG BAND; and Bob Lark and Friends, with Phil Woods, Rufus Reid, Jim McNeely and Mark Colby. Bob’s playing and writing are also featured on the CD recordings Until You and First Steps on the Hallway label. He is an exclusive Yamaha Performing Artist. In 2013, DePaul University... read more
Jan 23, 2017
Congratulations to the 2017 Jazz Fest Award Winners! 2017 Grand Champion: Prospect Jazz Ensemble I High School Jazz Ensembles Class AA 3. Naperville North Jazz Ensemble 2. Mundelein Jazz Ensemble 1. Prospect Jazz Ensemble I High School Jazz Ensembles Class A 3. Carmel Catholic Jazz Band 2. Lewistown Jazz Ensemble 1. Tinley Park Honors Jazz Ensemble High School Jazz Ensembles II Class AA 3. TIE: Prospect Jazz Ensemble II & Warren Township Jazz Lab Band 2. Naperville North Jazz Band 1. Mundelein Jazz Orchestra High School Jazz Ensembles II Class A 3. Antioch Community Jazz Ensemble II 2. Champaign Central Lab Band 1. Champaign Central Stage Band High School Jazz Ensembles 1. Wheeling Jazz Band I High School Jazz Combo Class AA 3. Conant Jazz Combo 2. Prospect Jazz Combo 1. TIE: Fremd Jazz Combo & Naperville North Jazz Combo High School Jazz Combo Class A 3. Champaign Central Combo II 2. Carmel Catholic Jazz Combo 1. Champaign Central Combo I Junior High Ensemble I 3. Old Quarry Jazz Band 2. Cooper Jazz Band I 1. Holmes Jazz Ensemble Junior High Ensemble II 2. Holmes Jazz Band 1. Cooper Jazz Band II Soloist Medals Kevin Branner, Naperville North, Tenor Alex F, Champaign Central, Bass Janelle Finton, Buffalo Grove, Trumpet James Hix, Batavia, Drums Max Hubbard, Champaign Central, Alto John Kim, Fremd, Alto Nicole Koutun, Holmes, Piano Kayla Cutler, Buffalo Grove, Trombone Adam Manaster, Champaign Central Connor Mannebada, Warren Township, Piano Johan Montag, Highland Garret Munz, Mundelein, Alto Andrea Moreno, Wheeling, Alto Eunice Park, Holmes, Piano Anabel Perez-Brennan, Holmes, Drums Jacob Cushman, Fremd Combo, Drums Birch Creek Music Performance Center... read more
