Phi Mu Alpha Jazz Festival Planned for Feb. 25

The 49th Phi Mu Alpha Jazz Festival will take place Feb. 25 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room.

The festival will begin at 9 a.m. with various performances and sessions throughout the day, culminating in the Jazz Festival Evening Concert at 8 p.m.

Since Truman’s chapter was founded in 1968, it has hosted an annual event celebrating jazz at the University. Having been ranked one of the top collegiate jazz festivals by Down Beat magazine, the Phi Mu Alpha Jazz Festival has become one of the larger events of its kind, attracting high school and middle school bands throughout the Midwest.

Traditionally held the last weekend in February, “JazzFest” brings in nationally renowned artists every year. It includes a day of performances by high school and middle school jazz combos and big bands with a personalized clinic for each group.

This year’s guest artist, Carl Allen, will also present a clinic and perform with Truman jazz groups during an evening concert. With more than 200 recordings to his credit, the gifted Milwaukee-born, New York-based drummer is a sideman, bandleader, entrepreneur and educator. His multifaceted career provides the perfect template for what a modern musician should be. As Sid Gribetz of Jazz Times wrote, “more than just another fine drummer, Carl Allen has it all together as a bandleader, businessman and producer, becoming a force in today’s jazz world.”