For nearly three decades the Department of Fine Arts at Alcorn State University, with funding from the Mississippi Arts Commission, the Southern Arts Federation and the National Endowment for the Arts, has sponsored what has become Mississippi’s longest-running and most prestigious jazz festival. The day-long festival features performances by some of most outstanding professional jazz musicians and university, college and secondary school jazz ensembles from throughout the United States. Highlights of the festivals are the afternoon workshops and evening concerts by some of the world’s greatest jazz artists. (See the list of past featured artists below.)

Now in its 29th year, the Annual Alcorn State University Jazz Festival is a masterpiece rich in tradition and talent. Jazz masters like Clark Terry, Max Roach, Slide Hampton, Maynard Ferguson, Freddie Hubbard, Louie Bellson, Donald Byrd, Ramsey Lewis, and Stanley Turrentine have graced the stage of this free event throughout its history, establishing the ASU Jazz Festival as a true gem and premier jazz event in the region.

Throughout its history thousands have attended the festival to enjoy some of the best in jazz available anywhere. Many more also saw some of these performances broadcast on Channel 23 Vicksburg and heard them on numerous broadcasts throughout the state on Mississippi Public Radio’s “Mississippi Concert Hall” series.

The festival continues in its tradition of reaching an ever growing audience in the expansive and modern Vicksburg Convention Center, just above the scenic Mississippi River in the heart of picturesque downtown Vicksburg, Mississippi (map).

The performing artists for the 29th Annual Alcorn State University Jazz Festival are:

Esperanza Spalding - Bass and Vocals
Terri Lyne Carrington - Drums
Grace Kelly - Alto Sax
Dee Dee Bridgewater - Vocals
Geri Allen - Piano

Esperanza Spalding

Terri Lyne Carrington

Grace Kelly

Dee Dee Bridgewater

Geri Allen

Artist Bios

The 2009 Schedule of Events will be announced soon. High school and college bands will perform in the morning and afternoon. A workshop with the featured artists will take place in the afternoon. A Mississippi Jazz Educator's concert will take place at 7:00 pm and the featured artists will perform at 8:00 pm.

Last year's (2008) schedule can be seen here.

The jazz festival is always free and open to the public and is funded in part by the Mississippi Arts Commission, the Southern Arts Federation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information about the Annual Alcorn State University Jazz Festival, please contact:

• Dr. David Miller, Director
  601-877-6602 or davemilleralcorn@yahoo.com
  click here to get an application form in Microsoft Word.

Or you may fax us at: 601-877-6262.

You can read a review of the 24th Annual Alcorn State University Jazz Festival at:
www.jazzreview.com/articledetails.cfm?ID=2992