Brad D. Smith President at Marshall University | LinkedIn
Brad D. Smith President at Marshall University | LinkedIn
The Marshall University School of Music is set to host the 56th MU Winter Jazz Festival from February 26-28 at Smith Recital Hall. This long-standing collegiate jazz festival will showcase performances by 20 different ensembles, ranging from middle school groups to professional bands. All concerts are open to the public without charge.
A highlight of this annual event is the featured guest artist, David Smith, a renowned trumpet player based in New York City. Smith has been named a 2025 Joan C. Edwards Distinguished Professor in the Arts and has released three albums of original compositions. His work includes appearances on Grammy Award-winning albums such as "Bianca Reimagined" by the Dan Pugach Big Band and "Four Questions" by Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra.
Smith's collaborations extend to performing with Harry Connick Jr., Tom Jones, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and The Who. He currently serves as an Artist Teacher in trumpet at the Jackie McLean Institute at the Hartt School, University of Hartford in Connecticut.
Jeff Wolfe, director of Jazz Studies at Marshall, commented on Smith's participation: “Every year, we seek to invite a guest artist who is both a luminary performer and an inspiring educator. David’s experience, dedication to teaching and exceptionally high level of musicianship will edify our students and entertain our audiences.”
The festival schedule includes:
- Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m.: Performances by Morehead State University Jazz Ensemble and Jewel City Jazz Orchestra.
- Thursday, Feb. 27 at 1 p.m.: A clinic for student participants with David Smith; followed by a concert at 6 p.m. featuring MU Jazz Combo I and David Smith alongside Marshall University jazz faculty Nick Vassar on guitar and Lars Swanson on bass, with Jesse Nolan on drums.
- Friday, Feb. 28 at 1 p.m.: Another clinic for student participants with David Smith; culminating in performances by The Thundering Herd All-Star Jazz Ensemble and MU Jazz Ensemble I featuring David Smith.
Additionally, regional middle and high school jazz ensembles will perform from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.
For more information about the festival events, visit www.marshall.edu/music/jazz/events/jazzfest./
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