The 2024 Elon University Jazz Festival will be held February 22-24, 2024, in the McCrary Theatre on Elon’s main campus.

Visiting high school and middle school jazz ensembles will perform on Friday, February 23, from 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.

This year’s guest artist will be award-winning jazz trumpeter, composer, and educator Kris Johnson, Director of the Michigan State Community Music School. Kris’s professional career has included playing in and arranging for the Count Basie Orchestra, directing the University of Utah Jazz Studies program, composing for musicals and films including the Emmy-nominated web series “King Ester,” and producing successful personal projects, such as his #looptherapy album and his Kris Johnson Big Band YouTube series. Kris will be performing with Elon students, faculty, and guest adjudicators on Friday and Saturday (see Tentative Schedule). He will also give a masterclass for all Festival participants on Friday following the student ensemble performances.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity for your jazz students!

Please fill out the Registration Form (which includes Festival Guidelines) and view the Tentative Schedule, which will be updated as the event nears. Please note that registration is available on a first come, first served basis. The registration deadline is January 31, 2024.

Should you need any more information, feel free to contact Festival Coordinator Dr. Alex Heitlinger at aheitlinger@elon.edu.