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Northwest Missouri State University is proud to invite middle school and high school jazz ensembles and combos to the annual Northwest Jazz Festival on Friday, February 19, 2027. We are pleased to present the following free activities: a 12:00 performance by the Adam Larson Trio, followed by a 12:45 p.m. master class. There will be a 5:00 p.m. closing concert by the Northwest Jazz Ensemble. Special thanks to the Missouri Arts Council for helping to support our guest artist group appearance.
NEW THIS YEAR: the first 24 groups registered will perform on Friday, February 19. Groups who register after we reach the maximum number (24) for Friday will perform on our campus Thursday, February 18 (afternoon and evening – the Northwest Jazz Ensemble will perform that evening). This change is designed to accommodate requests we have received in recent years.
Cost is $300 for jazz ensembles and $200 for jazz combos (up to nine performers). Please register online below. We have limited space for performing groups, so early registrants will be guaranteed a spot. The best plan is to register before November. An invoice is included at the bottom of this page. Please pay before January 15, 2027.
A reminder, our festival is no longer competitive. We provide adjudicator comments, ratings, soloist certificates, free performances, and a master class, but trophies and soloist medals are no longer part of the Northwest Jazz Festival.
We look forward to hearing your groups in February! As always, please feel free to email if you would like me to work with your jazz groups or trumpet players.
Sincerely,
Dr. William S. Richardson
Professor of Music | Director, Northwest Jazz Festival
billr@nwmissouri.edu | 660.562.1326 (office)
Sophisticated saxophonist Adam Larson had become a mainstay in the New York scene before relocating to Kansas City. He has garnered critical acclaim for his eloquent compositions and playing with his stripped down trio of sax, bass, and drums.
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