43rd Annual North Shore Jazz Fest – The Virtualized Experience!

Though COVID-19 restrictions preclude us from holding our long-running  event in-person at Glenbrook South High School, we are proud to announce the  2021 North Shore Virtual Jazz Festival, to be held on Saturday March 6, 2021.

This FREE event is open to all Illinois high school and middle school ensembles at no charge — our gift to the wider music community. Here at Glenbrook South, we value the importance of jazz music and its ability to build community and provide a means for artistic expression. We look forward to providing students the experience and profound influence of jazz music.

We are thrilled to have Yamaha Artist and saxophone extraordinaire Jeff Coffin presenting an improvisation clinic in the afternoon.  Jeff is the saxophonist for the Dave Matthews Band and a three-time Grammy Award winner.

Finalized Event Schedule of March 6, 2021

9:00AM: Festival Welcome shared w/ Directors
9:30AM-12:00PM: Clinics (25 minutes each)
12:00PM-1:00PM: Lunch Break
1:00PM-1:55PM: Composition Clinic with Adam Larson
2:00PM-2:55PM: Improvisation Workshop with Jeff Coffin

Important Dates

To ensure a successful festival experience for all, we ask that you take note of the following deadlines:

    • 2/5/2021 – Registration form due
    • 2/27/2021 – Submissions of recorded video due (A confirmation email with the upload link will be sent upon registration.)
    • 3/3/2021 – Clinic Scheduling form due (Tentative schedule distributed on 3/1.)
    • 3/6/2021 – North Shore Virtual Jazz Festival!

If you have not yet received a registration form, please contact us at northshorejazzfest@gbsil.org or 312-857-6575 for more details.

About Jazz Fest

Showcasing some of the finest young jazz musicians and guest performers.  We look forward to everyone being a part of this fun day, whether you’re preforming or coming to enjoy great music.

40th Annual Jazz FestDate: TBD

Location: Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, Illinois
4000 West Lake Avenue, Glenview IL 60026

    • Hours: 7:45 am to 8:00 pm
    • Over 70 band performances throughout the day.
    • Lunchtime and evening concerts on the Auditorium stage by professional musicians.

Jazz Fest has a long history of showcasing Illinois’ jazz ensembles.  Bands perform throughout the day and, after each session, join an adjudicator for a private clinic.   Results of the competition will be announced at the Awards Ceremony, following an evening concert by  professional musicians.  Check our site regularly for the latest news on participating bands and guest performers.

Admission: $12 per adult and $8 per senior citizen or child under 12. A $30 family package enables the whole family to attend for one low fee.  Purchase tickets at the door to any performance venue.

Concessions/T-Shirts: The Jazz Café and Bake Sale is located in the main cafeteria and will be selling food throughout the day. T-shirts celebrating the 2020 North Shore Jazz Fest and all participating bands will be available for purchase near the Auditorium entrance.

The North Shore Jazz Fest is a collaborative effort of many generous businesses and individuals in our community. We are forever grateful to the parents of our band students who are the heart and soul of this event. We look forward to seeing you for our 43rd year and furthering a lifelong love of Jazz among these wonderful young musicians.