HAMILTON COLLEGE TO HOST HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ FESTIVAL

The Hamilton College Department ofMusic will host its first annual High School Jazz Festival. Under thedirection of Monk Rowe, project director for Hamilton's Jazz Archive, thefestival will feature internationally acclaimed jazz artists and jazz ensemblesfrom several regional schools. The two-day festival will include two concerts,Friday, April 11 and Saturday April 12, at 7:30 p.m. in Wellin Hall of theSchambach Center for Music and the Performing Arts. Admission is free and opento the public.

Saxophonist and bandleader Bobby Watson, headlines the group of jazz greatsthat will participate in the festival. Watson is at the forefront of thecurrent jazz scene and has been a force in jazz since performing with ArtBlakey's Jazz Messengers in the 70s. Since then he has performed and touredworldwide with his own band. Other artists include bassist Keter Betts,drummer Duffy Jackson, guitarist Carmen Caramanica, pianist Rick Montalbano andWendell Brunious on trumpet.

Participating schools include Proctor High School, Utica; Sauquoit HighSchool, Sauquoit; C. Fred Middle School, Johnstown; Ilion High School, Ilion;Solvay High School, Syracuse; the Colgate University Jazz Ensemble; and theHamilton College Jazz Ensemble with Doctuh Michael Woods, assistant professorof jazz.