NAU Jazz Festival 2023

Northern Arizona University Jazz Studies would like to invite you the 61st annual NAU Jazz Festival to be held February 23-25, 2023. The NAU Jazz Festival is an ABODA sanctioned festival for middle school, high school, and community colleges. Our festival is a non-competitive setting, focused on a positive performance and educational experience. Big bands and combos perform for three adjudicators to receive ratings and comments.

Following the performances each group participates in a clinic with one of our esteemed adjudicator/clinicians. Directors will receive written comments as well as recordings of both their band’s performance and adjudicator comments.

We are happy to announce our 2023 guest artists: jazz trumpeter Adam O’Farrill and his quartet, Stranger Days. Adam is an in-demand performer, composer, and educator in New York City and internationally. He comes from a rich musical heritage as the grandson of boundary-pushing Cuban composer and arranger, Chico O’Farrill and the son of composer, pianist, and activist, Arturo O’Farrill. His quartet features Xavier Del Castillo, Walter Stinson, and Zack O’Farrill and has garnered critical acclaim from the New York Times, Downbeat Magazine, and many others. Adam has also received awards, commissions, and grants from organizations such as The Shifting Foundation, South Arts, Roulette, the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Metropolis Ensemble, The Jazz Gallery, and the Thelonious Monk Institute, as well as winning the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award.

Adam O’Farrill will present a general masterclass on Friday, February 24th at 1:00pm in Ardrey Memorial Auditorium. Our Guest Artist Concert will also be Friday, February 24th at 8pm featuring Adam O’Farrill and Stranger Days with NAU Jazz Ensemble One. Tickets will be available starting in early January through the NAU Central Ticket Office at (888) 520-7214.

Please contact me with questions about registration or schedules.

We Look forward to seeing you in February!

Chris Finet – Christopher.Finet@nau.edu

NAU Jazz Studies