JazzFest

JazzFest is a festival and workshop that takes place each year in the spring semester. The festival is an all day event focused on preparing high school jazz groups for state competition. Participating ensembles will have a guaranteed performance slot, multiple clinic opportunities, a CD of your performance, and tickets to the Thursday evening concert for all participating members, 2 staff members, and 3 chaperones.

The festival is led by Jay Wilkinson, Coordinator of Jazz Studies, and Dr. Jonathan Nichol, Professor of Saxophone.

Past festivals have included clinics, a jam session, combo recording sessions, and a gala concert. The closing concert features an awards ceremony and performances by OU jazz ensembles and the featured guest artist.

Students have the chance to win certificates for outstanding solos and section work. Although not a competition, 3 bands will receive plaques recognizing their exemplary performances. Most importantly, your students will learn from master jazz musicians and master teachers. We want this festival to be a fabulous experience for your ensemble and suit your needs as an educator.

Check back later for more information about the next JazzFest.

Pictures from the 2018 JazzFest jam session at Yuyu's Cozy Corner in Norman.

Dr. Russell Haight is an Assistant Professor of Saxophone and the Director of Jazz Studies at Texas State University in San Marcos. He oversees seven faculty, three big bands, several combos, and teaches applied saxophone, improvisation, and arranging at the undergraduate and graduate levels. A topcall saxophonist in the southwestern region, he maintains a busy performance schedule a leader and sideman, and has played throughout the U.S., Canada, South America, and China.

As a researcher and educator, Dr. Haight has presented at the International Saxophone Symposium, the Jazz Education Network conference, Texas Music Educators Association conference, and the ProJazz Institute in Chile. As a jazz artist, he has performed with luminaries such as Bobby Shew, Vincent Herring, Ralph Bowen, Doug Lawrence, Shelly Berg, Kirk Covington, Tim Hagans, Eric Johnson, Dan Miller, Andre Hayward, Rufus Reid, Bill Watrous, and the late George Duke.

Dr. Haight earned his Doctorate degree in Jazz Performance from The University of Texas at Austin. Skilled at both performance and research, he earned the Eleanor Stribling Award for Excellence in Jazz Performance and the prestigious Butler School of Music Outstanding Dissertation award while at UT. Previously, he taught at Auburn University.