Branford Marsalis to perform at Gillioz Jazz Festival in April
An award-winning musician, a jazz orchestra, local performers and a special screening of “The Wizard of Oz” will be highlights of the inaugural Gillioz Jazz Festival, according to a press release.
The Gillioz Theatre, 325 Park Central East, will host the event from April 5 to April 7 “to coordinate with national promotion of jazz” and “augment the commitment to the Springfield Jazz Festival that is held each fall.” April is also Jazz Appreciation Month.
“The Gillioz Jazz Festival allows us to move in conjunction with national promotion of jazz, and to creatively expand our programming,” said Geoff Steele, Gillioz Center for Arts & Entertainment executive director, in a press release. “A notable difference is the Gillioz Jazz Festival is entirely indoors, taking advantage of the diverse spaces in the Gillioz beyond the theatre and insulating our activities from the uncertainty of weather in the Ozarks.”
Branford Marsalis, an award-winning saxophonist, band leader, featured classical soloist, and a film and Broadway composer, will perform with the Missouri Jazz Orchestra (MOJO) on April 6 as the festival’s headlining act. Additionally, the Springfield Jazz Festival’s headlining act will be announced during that concert.
The festival will start with an open house on April 5, which includes an art display
The Gillioz Theatre, 325 Park Central East, will host the jazz festival from April 5 to April 7.
of jazz masters, tours of the historic theatre, as well as a premium bar and food truck offerings. Guests will also be able to visit THETHIRDFLOOR, a collaborative space housing resident companies Ozarks Lyric Opera, MOJO and SATO48.
On April 6, the Gillioz will showcase regional talent including the Hamm/Aho/ Bohrisch Trio, the Matt Harp Trio, the John Strickler Trio, the Brant Jester Trio, and the Arthur Duncan Trio. The premium bar and food trucks will be available as well. There will also be a VIP event with an exclusive program by the Eric Slaughter Trio and a dinner prior to the Marsalis and MOJO concert.
On April 7, the Gillioz will offer a free screening of the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz,” which has “significant jazz influences,” according to the press release.