In March, Loyola University will mark nearly a half-century’s worth of work devoted to an educational jazz festival. In fact, the school is responsible for the longest-running educational jazz fest in the entire state of Louisiana. The 49th Annual Jazz Ensemble Festival features Grammy-winning bassist, band leader and arranger John Clayton as well as members of Loyola’s faculty.

“John Clayton is a great fit for Loyola and for the festival because he’s just a fantastic virtuosic bass player,” said Gordon Towell, festival director and coordinator of jazz studies. “He’s an excellent communicator of the art form—concise about how to play it with a relaxed personality that gets people excited about learning.”

Running March 2-3, the festival offers students the opportunity to observe performances, participate in masterclasses for their instruments and ultimately give their own performances,” according to the University. It’s even open to large or small ensembles from elementary through college levels. Four musicians/educators make up the expert panel who “adjudicate the student groups offering constructive criticism on performance techniques.” Plus, free masterclasses for all instruments are included for student ensemble participants each day, taught this year by Clayton and the Loyola Jazz Faculty.

The schedule is as follows:

Friday, March 2:
Loyola Faculty Jazz Septet concert
4:30 p.m.
Louis J. Roussel Performance Hall located in the Music/Communications Complex at the corner of Calhoun Street and St. Charles Avenue.
FREE

Saturday, March 3:
John Clayton with the Loyola Jazz Ensemble
4:30 p.m.
Louis J. Roussel Performance Hall located in the Music/Communications Complex at the corner of Calhoun Street and St. Charles Avenue.
$10 for general admission, $5 for Loyola students, faculty and staff and may be purchased online through presents.loyno.edu, by emailing [email protected], by calling the Loyola Box Office at (504) 865-2074.