Lincoln-Way Central will present their third annual Jazz Festival on Saturday, January 16 at Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox. The festival runs from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

The event will feature clinics by some of the state’s best jazz educators and performances from twenty area junior high and high school jazz ensembles. Local groups at the festival include junior high ensembles from New Lenox, Summit Hill and Mokena as well as ensembles from Lincoln-Way Central, East, North and West High Schools.

“This is our biggest festival ever. We are thrilled to be hosting such an impressive number of groups this year, and are pleased with the variety of school districts that will be represented in performance: Downers Grove, Rich East, Villa Park, Southwest Chicago Christian, HL Richards, Lisle, as well as the majority of our area jazz programs,” stated Stacy Williams-Jackson, Music Department Chair for Lincoln-Way Central.

“The festival’s noncompetitive, positive format – as well as its early date, is an excellent way for jazz bands to receive a great deal of feedback at the beginning of the competitive season,” added Jackson.

Clinics for the ensembles will be on-stage immediately following each performance, and audience members will be able to listen to the adjudicators work with each ensemble to make improvements and give encouragement.

The Lincoln-Way Central music faculty enjoys jazz. Both Nate Jackson, classic guitar teacher, and Stacy Williams-Jackson, orchestra teacher, were active in their jazz ensembles in college. Stacy Williams-Jackson still works as a bassist with various area groups. Mike Bultman, choral director, is an excellent jazz vocalist.

“Jazz band has been a huge part of my life since I was thirteen years old. I remember the thrill of attending my first festivals and working with great jazz educators to become better. In fact, some of my favorite jazz educators from my youth will be working with our students at the festival. We have such a great musical heritage in our Lincoln-Way area, and we hope through our festival to be another conduit of musical performances and appreciation for the Lincoln-Way community,” stated Williams-Jackson.

Admission to the Jazz Festival is $7 for adults, $4 for children and senior citizens. Students 5-under are free. Concessions and t-shirts will be available for purchase.