The third annual Hillsdale Jazz Festival is taking place next saturday, Feb. 15, in Albion. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. and end after the 8 p.m. night concert.
Jazz Director Chris McCourry and Albion Big Band director James Ball started the festival when they attended similar festivals at bigger schools and decided to convert the event onto the smaller scale. The festival has been a success ever since.
Those who attend spend the day playing, learning from professionals, and listening to jazz music.The festival features bands from all over Michigan, including four from Hillsdale College. The Hillsdale bands performing will be the Hillsdale Big Band, Lady and the Tramps, The Dictators Club, and Rob Roy.
Some of the more well-known performers in attendance will be bassist Robert Hurst, Central Michigan University director of Jazz Rob Smith, vocalist Sonny Wilkinson, and trombonist Chris Smith.
“The goal of the festival is to give students that are there a good experience” McCourry said. “They will get great advice from the guest performers there.”
What sets this festival apart from similar events that take place at bigger schools is that this event is tailored to smaller, liberal arts schools and offers a more relaxed atmosphere.
The festival switches locations between Albion and Hillsdale every year. Admission is free and is open to everyone regardless if they study music or not.
