Temple College will welcome hundreds of jazz musicians and jazz enthusiasts to its three-day signature music event – the 32nd Temple College Jazz Festival – Thursday through Saturday, March 21-23. This is the first year that the event will feature two female guest artists, Rachel Z (keyboard) and Aubrey Logan (singer/trombone).
The event is open to the public. Advance tickets may be purchased online at CentralTexasTickets.com.
Nearly a thousand students representing dozens of high school and middle school jazz bands from throughout the state are scheduled to play 30-minute sets during the festival. The festival also will feature noon-hour clinics and nighttime performances by Z and Logan.
“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.”
Dr. Benjamin Irom, Temple College professor of music and director of jazz studies, said it’s a joy to bring top-tier artists to the Temple College stage to work with students and to perform for the community.
“We cannot wait to bring Rachel Z and Aubrey Logan to Central Texas. 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,” Irom said.
Z will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday with the Temple College Jazz Ensemble and TC Faculty Jazz. She will host a clinic at noon on Friday. Logan will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday with the Temple Jazz Orchestra. She will host a clinic at noon on Saturday.
School performances will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
An all-star jam session is scheduled from 9:30 p.m. to midnight Friday, March 22 at the Hilton Garden Inn.
All stage performances will be held at Temple College’s Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center, 2600 S. First St. Student performances will be streamed live on YouTube. Tickets are $5 for students and $20 for adults. Advance tickets may be purchased online at CentralTexasTickets.com. Tickets will also be available at the door. Call (254) 298-8555 for more information.
ABOUT TEMPLE COLLEGE
Temple College is “Your Community’s College,” a dynamic and growing community college that equips thousands of Central Texas students with the knowledge and skills for 21st-century success. Temple College, which has campuses in Temple, Hutto and Taylor, offers more than 75 degree and certificate programs to students who seek to earn credits for transfer, graduate with an associate degree or complete a certificate for fast entry into the workforce.
Founded in 1926, Temple College has enjoyed a reputation for academic excellence for 97 years. It is nationally recognized for its exceptional programs, from visual and performing arts to competitive athletics. The College has become one of the state’s premiere institutions for healthcare providers’ education and training, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development programs. The faculty and staff are committed to providing exceptional quality instruction.