The MSU Jazz Studies program proudly presents the Jazz Spectacular Festival featuring jazz trumpeter Marquis Hill. The three-day lineup kicks-off Thursday, April 20, and concludes with the finale concert on Saturday, April 22, heralding a fifth decade since the festival launched in 1982.  [Click here for tickets]

This year’s celebration will brim with the energy and excitement of live performance, including small groups, large orchestras, intense competition, swing dancing, and a spectacular finale concert. Four MSU Jazz Nonet groups start things off Thursday with the power of big band sound with small jazz ensembles, led by MSU Jazz Studies faculty-artists Walter Blanding, Randy Napoleon, Michael Dease and Xavier Davis in the MSU Auditorium’s Fairchild Theatre. On Friday, the audience is invited to get up and move to the repertoire of great jazz masters in the crowd favorite Swing Dance with MSU Jazz Orchestras, led by Director of Jazz Studies Rodney Whitaker with faculty-artist Anthony Stanco in the intimately scaled Murray Hall of the Music Building. 

The beloved jazz series concludes Saturday with bands participating in the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington Regional High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival. A full day of performances explores the music of Duke Ellington and other big band composers before a panel of Jazz at Lincoln Center clinicians and jazz professionals. The outstanding band of the day will open the evening’s Finale Concert that features an inspired lineup of MSU jazz artists with Jazz Orchestra I, jazz trumpeter and visiting artist Marquis Hill, and other special guests at the Fairchild Theatre.   

Marquis Hill rose from being one of Chicago’s most thrilling young trumpeters to his current status as an internally renowned musician, composer and bandleader. Hill breaks down barriers that divide musical genres, drawing from a profound African American creative heritage that includes contemporary and classic jazz, hip-hop, R&B, Chicago house, and neo-soul. He attended the Ravinia Jazz Scholars program and won the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz competition in 2014. He has played with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, and guested with a who’s who of jazz that includes Marcus Miller, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Boney James, Kurt Elling, Joe Lovano and Makaya McCraven. 

“Spring is a time of hope and renewal and jazz at the MSU College of Music,” said Whitaker. “We’re grateful for the support we’ve received from our community and generous donors who have made the Jazz Spectacular Festival a signature event as we continue our fifth decade and celebrate our 41st year.” 

• Thursday, April 20, Jazz Nonets, 7:30 p.m. Fairchild Theatre
  General admission: $12 adults, $10 seniors, students free
• Friday, April 21, Swing Dance, 8 p.m. Murray Hall
  General admission: $12 adults, $10 seniors, students free
• Saturday, April 22, Jazz at Lincoln Center: Essentially Ellington Regional High School Jazz Band Festival
  8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Murray Hall, multiple locations in Billman Music Pavilion, free

• Saturday, April 22, Finale Concert with Marquis Hill, 8:00 p.m., Fairchild Theatre, MSU Auditorium
  Reserved seating: $25 adults, $20 seniors, $15 students.
  Generously sponsored by Leonard and Sharon Tabaka

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Press materials

View or download the press release (PDF)
Contact Michael Sundermann, 517-353-2043, sunderm7@msu.edu 

Photography and graphic downloads

A variety of MSU jazz ensembles with guests highlight performances throughout the festival. Shown here, MSU Assistant Professor of Jazz Saxophone Walter Blanding directs Jazz Octet performances for a concert in Fairchild Theatre during the 2022 fall semester. Photo by Harley Seeley.

Now four decades strong, the Jazz Spectular Festival continues its tradition of excellence. Graphic courtesy MSU College of Music.

Marquis Hill will headline the Jazz Spectacular’s Finale concert on Saturday evening. A jazz trumpeter from Chicago, Hill is known for his innovative multi-genre style. Photo courtesy marquishill.com