Calhoun Community College Announces Jazz Festival
Decatur, Alabama - April 13, 2024 - Calhoun Community College's Music Department is excited to present the 2024 ACA Jazz Festival, titled "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans," on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at the Alabama Center for the Arts (ACA) located at 133 2nd Ave NE and at the historic Princess Theatre located at 112 2nd Ave NE, both in downtown Decatur. The festival will showcase a spectacular lineup of renowned musicians, offering a full day of live performances, educational clinics, and an evening finale concert featuring the Marsalis brothers alongside local jazz ensembles.
Headlining the festival are esteemed New Orleans jazz icons Delfeayo Marsalis and Jason Marsalis. Joining them as clinicians are Tim Leahey and Dr. Butler, while Bo Clayton and Monica Schriver will serve as adjudicators for the event.
“We are beyond excited about the festival. It will kick off at 9:00 a.m. with simultaneous performances on two stages,” commented Calhoun Music Instructor, Dr. Matt Leder. “The lineup will feature a diverse array of jazz ensembles from community groups, professional bands, universities, colleges, and high schools throughout the day,” added Leder.
A special Q&A and clinic session with Delfeayo and Jason Marsalis will take place at 1:00 p.m. at the Princess Theatre, offering attendees a unique opportunity to engage with these jazz legends. The pinnacle of the event will be the Finale Concert at 7:00 p.m. at the Princess Theatre, featuring captivating performances by Delfeayo and Jason Marsalis alongside the Calhoun Community College Show Band & Combo, along with surprise guest appearances. Following the concert, an after-party "jam session" will be held at The Brick Deli and Tavern located just a block away from the other activities at 112 Moulton Street. Musicians will be invited to join in and share the stage.
“What makes this even more significant is that the entire festival is open to the public, free of charge, making it accessible to music enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in a day of exceptional jazz music while celebrating the vibrant cultural heritage of New Orleans right here in downtown Decatur,” said Calhoun Fine Arts Dean Kimberly Parker.
"We are thrilled to host such an exceptional lineup of talent at the Jazz Festival," said Calhoun President Dr. Jimmy Hodges. “Dr. Leder and the entire team at the ACA have worked so hard putting this together for our community and we’re excited. It promises to be an unforgettable evening and we invite everyone to come out and join us for a day of exceptional music.”
For more information about the Jazz Festival, including the full schedule of events and performer details, please visit this link: https://calhoun.edu/events/aca-jazz-festival/?bsearch_highlight=jazz%20festival
For media coverage please contact Wes Torain, Calhoun’s Director of Public Relations and Digital Media at wes.torain@calhoun.edu or call 256-306-2965 or call/text 256-565-3888. For this event you may also contact Dr. Matt Leder at 256-260-2917 email: matthew.leder@calhoun.edu or Fine Arts Dean Kimberly Parker at 256-306-2701 email kimberly.parker@calhoun.edu.
