28th Annual Jazz Fest Features David Sanborn Trio

Valparaiso University announces the schedule for the 2013 Jazz Fest, which will be held April 15-20. As Valpo’s featured guest artist, the world-renowned David Sanborn Trio featuring Joey DeFrancesco and Byron Landham promises a thrilling performance as the highlight of Jazz Fest on Saturday evening.

In addition to guest performances, the University’s faculty and student ensembles, as well as high school jazz ensembles, will participate in the Valpo Jazz Fest. Monday, April 15, and Tuesday, April 16 will kick off the fest with performances by high school and Valpo jazz ensembles. Each performance will be held at 6 p.m. in the Harre Union Ballroom.

“One of the highlights of the festival is seeing both university and high school students interact with each other as well as visiting artists,” said Jeff Brown, jazz studies coordinator at Valparaiso University. “On Monday and Tuesday more than 250 high school students will perform in a non-competitive setting. Thursday evening the University jazz ensemble will perform the challenging music of Don Braden. This is a once-in-a-life time experience for many of the students.”

Feature Jazz Fest performances include:

• Dee Alexander Quartet – Wednesday, April 17, 7:30 p.m., Harre Union Ballroom
• Valparaiso University Jazz Ensemble featuring guest tenor saxophonist Don Braden – Thursday, April 18, 7:30 p.m., Harre Union Ballroom
• Valparaiso University Faculty Jazz Trio featuring guest tenor saxophonist Don Braden – Friday, April 19, 7:30 p.m., Harre Union Ballroom
• David Sanborn Trio featuring Joey DeFrancesco and Byron Landham – Saturday, April 20, 8 p.m., Harre Union Ballroom

“We are extremely excited to have David Sanborn, Joey DeFrancesco and Don Braden appearing at this year’s festival,” Brown said. “All are excellent jazz artists and educators who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with both our students and community.”

Featured Jazz Fest artists Sanborn and DeFrancesco are award-winning musicians who have recorded more than 50 studio albums between the two of them. Sanborn is considered to be an artist who continually pushes the limits and expands boundaries. DeFrancesco emulates Miles Davis, McCoy Tyner and Thelonius Monk.

A talented musician, arranger and composer, Don Braden is also an educator who is on the faculty at Montclair State University in New Jersey. In addition to saxophone, Braden plays flute, alto flute, piano and other instruments, and served as co-music supervisor on “The Cosby Show” for four years.

Based in Chicago, Dee Alexander is one of the premier vocalists and songwriters in American music today and impresses audiences and critics alike with her flawless intonation, interpretive brilliance, and intrepid improvising.

Valparaiso University has held Jazz Fest for nearly 30 years and hosted many influential jazz musicians including jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis, trumpet legend Maynard Ferguson and the legendary Count Basie Orchestra.

Tickets are now on sale for Valpo students, faculty and staff, and they will go on sale to the public in early March. For more information, contact Larry Mosher, Director of the Harre Union at Valparaiso University, at 219.464.5415.