The Xavier University of Louisiana Department of Music will be celebrating the joy of jazz during a special two-day-long event. The Department will be celebrating its 10th annual campus Jazz Festival from April 24-26. The festival will offer a number of clinics and workshops led by music industry experts and renowned jazz musicians. The festival was created with the intent to “expose XULA students and the New Orleans community to a wide range of jazz forms and world-class jazz artists.” Each workshop leader will be presenting a topic of choice in their area of expertise. In the evenings, attendees will be given a special treat with live performances by the acclaimed guest artists.

The first day will commence at 7 p.m. on the 24th, kicking off with a concert by internationally-renowned jazz musician Dr. Michael White and his Original Liberty Jazz Band. On Day Two at 7 p.m., guests will enjoy another evening performance by local ensemble The Bridge Trio, made up of drummer Joe Dyson, pianist Conun Pappas, and bassist Max Moran. Day Three will get an early start at noon with a Music Business Seminar and a series of 50 minute clinics led by White, The Bridge Trio, and saxophonist Donald Harrison. Harrison and the Xavier Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Tim Turner, will conclude the weekend with a final 7 p.m. concert. The master of the saxophone is known for originating an entire sub-genre of jazz, “Nouveau Swing”, which blends New Orleans jazz with modern dance music, African beats, rock, and soul.

All events and concerts will be held in the Blanche M. Francis Building, 1 Drexel Drive. The festival is free and open to the public. For more information, click here.