TEMPLE, Texas — Get ready for the music, Central Texas, Temple College's Jazz Fest is right around the corner.
The three-day event, held from March 21-23, will feature performances from both students and guest artists, as well as clinics and competitions, said the college.
This year's Jazz Fest will even mark a milestone, according to Temple College, being the first to feature two female guest artists.
Keyboard player Rachel Z and singer/trombonist Aubrey Logan will be the featured guests at the event, performing nighttime concerts and holding noon-hour clinics during the day.
Rachel Z is a keyboard player with a "long history of award-winning performances in the world of jazz and rock", said Temple College. In addition to 13 albums as a bandleader, Z has worked with acclaimed artists like Steps Ahead, the Omar Hakim Experience, Wayne Shorter on the Grammy-Award-winning album High Life, Regina Carter and more.
Z is also a Professor of Jazz and Contemporary Music Studies at the New School University in New York and a Professor of Jazz Studies and Electronic Music at Montclair State University and Cali School of the Arts.
Aubrey Logan is a singer, songwriter and trombone player whose body of work is "underscored by the integrity of a performer that is able to stretch herself emotionally across a musical landscape that defies description," said Temple College.
Logan has a number one album, "Where the Sunshine is Expensive", and has worked with artists such as Quincy Jones, Burt Bacharach, Smokey Robinson, Pharrell Williams and more.
In addition to the special guests, Jazz Fest will also feature 30-minute sets from nearly a thousand students from dozens of high school and middle school jazz bands across Texas.
Temple College representatives said they are excited for the performances of both the students and professional musicians.
“Each year, we have the honor to showcase the incredible jazz talent that exists in Central Texas and to highlight the great work of our music educators and their students throughout the region and the state,” said Sara Baker, Dean of Temple College’s Fine Arts Division. “It’s a privilege for Temple College to host this event, and we appreciate the wonderful community support we receive year after year.”
“We cannot wait to bring Rachel Z and Aubrey Logan to Central Texas," agreed Temple College professor of music and director of jazz studies Dr. Benjamin Irom. "It’s a thrill to have these talented and renowned artists with us for the weekend. They’ll each provide student clinics and then they’ll perform with some of the best musicians in Texas.”
Student performances will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, said Temple College. Rachel Z is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 22 with the Temple College Jazz Ensemble and TC Faculty Jazz. She will host a clinic at noon the same day.
Aubrey Logan will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 23 with the Temple Jazz Orchestra. She will host a clinic at noon the same day.
An "all-star jam session" is scheduled to take place from 9:30 p.m. to midnight at the Hilton Garden Inn in Temple on Friday, March 22.
All stage performances will be held at Temple College's Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center, located at 2600 S. First St., said Temple College. Student performances will also reportedly be streamed live on YouTube.
Tickets to Jazz Fest are $5 for students and $20 for adults. More information on tickets and the event can be found at tcjazzfestival.com, or by calling 254-298-8555.
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