Jazz Fest, Mississippi’s longest-running jazz festival, returns April 26

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Jazz enthusiasts from across the region will gather in Vicksburg later this month as the Alcorn State University Jazz Festival returns for its 43rd year on Saturday, April 26, at the Vicksburg Convention Center, celebrating a rich legacy of music, education and performance.

Alcorn State University’s Department of Fine Arts will host its annual festival The day-long celebration of jazz will feature performances by leading professional musicians as well as university, college and high school ensembles from across the country.

The festival will run from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by an evening concert beginning at 6 p.m. The featured artist for the evening is the Louis Hayes Quintet, led by NEA Jazz Master and legendary drummer Louis Hayes.

Hayes has appeared on many records throughout the years, and played with John Coltrane, Kenny Burrell, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Timmons, Hank Mobley, Booker Little, Tommy Flanagan, Cecil Taylor, McCoy Tyner, Ray Brown, Joe Henderson, Gary Bartz, and Tony Williams. Since 1989 he has led his own band, and together with Vincent Herring formed the Cannonball Legacy Band.

The festival also includes afternoon workshops conducted by professional jazz artists.

For more information, contact Jazz Festival Director Sean Daniels at sedaniels@alcorn.edu or call 601-877-6261 or 601-877-3962.