Jazz Festival to celebrate 51 years

Event runs March 17-19

The Annual Lakeland Jazz Festival, the oldest jazz jubilee in the state of Ohio, will celebrate 51 years with a series of concerts March 17-19.

Performances will take place in the Dr. Wayne L. Rodehorst Performing Arts Center on Lakeland’s campus.

The festival kicks off March 17 with its “Serving the Schools” initiative, a youth-oriented event featuring local jazz ensembles performing between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Serving the Schools is free and open to the public.

“We are excited to see the return of in-person adjudication once again,” said festival coordinator Ed Michaels.

“Due to the pandemic, the high school jazz ensembles did not come to the Lakeland campus from 2020 to 2022. This year, we have 10 high school bands and one of the shining points of the festival is helping young musicians in our area to learn about the jazz art form and helping them to develop their overall music talents.

“The adjudicators are Northeast Ohio artists with experience in jazz education, including members of the Cleveland Orchestra, and they provide the students with positive feedback and encouragement to continue their musical growth.”

Since 1973, the year the festival was started by Lakeland professor and music department chair Chuck Frank, over 30,000 students have performed.

According to officials, many students have gone on to professional careers as music teachers and performers.

“The festival not only brings world-class musical talent to campus but provides an important introduction to the world of professional jazz performance,” added Matthew Saunders, chairman of the school’s music department and director of the Lakeland Civic Orchestra. “We are proud that the Lakeland Jazz Festival offers one of the only local opportunities for such a rewarding experience.”

Following adjudication, the lineup includes:

• March 17 at 8 p.m. — Dan Bruce’s :beta collective: $15 general admission and $7 students

• March 18 at 8 p.m. — Cuban pianist Chuchito Valdés: $30 general admission and $15 students

• March 19 at 4 p.m. — Big Band Matinée featuring the Lakeland Civic Jazz Orchestra and the Cleveland State University Jazz Ensemble: $10 general admission and $7 students

For tickets, call the Lakeland Community College box office at 440-525-7134 or visit lakelandcc.edu/jazzfestival. Online purchasers should bring order confirmation to show at the door.

The Dr. Wayne L. Rodehorst

“The festival not only brings world-class musical talent to campus but provides an important introduction to the world of professional jazz performance.” — Matthew Saunders, chairman of the school’s music department and director of the Lakeland Civic Orchestra

Performing Arts Center is located on the first floor of the D-Building on the campus at 7700 Clocktower Drive in Kirtland. Free parking is available.

For more information, contact festival coordinators Ed Michaels at emichaels@lakelandcc.edu and Stephen Stanziano at sstanziano@lakelandcc.edu).

SUBMITTED Cuban pianist Chuchito Valdés will perform during the 51st Lakeland Community College Jazz Festival on March 18.

SUBMITTED Dan bruce’s :beta collective will perform on March 17during Lakeland Community College’s 51st Annual Jazz Festival.