Experience Exceptional Jazz Performances At The SUU High School Jazz Festival

The Southern Utah University (SUU) Music Department is set to host the 12th annual High School Jazz Festival Concert on Saturday, February 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the Heritage Center Theater. The event will feature a full day of high school jazz performances, culminating in an evening concert showcasing SUU’s Jazz Ensemble One alongside renowned jazz trumpeter Nathan Warner.

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Warner, a celebrated musician, has an extensive performance history, having worked with artists such as Lady Antebellum, Peter Cetera, Doc Severinsen, and The Four Tops. His experience spans multiple genres, and he has played in Broadway productions like Gypsy, Spider-Man, and Aladdin. Additionally, he has performed for two U.S. presidents.

SUU’s Jazz Ensemble One has also made a name for itself, recently performing at the prestigious NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Show in Anaheim, California. The ensemble was the only college group selected to perform on the Yamaha Grand Stage. Reflecting on the experience, student Kyle Ohm from San Antonio shared in a press release, "It was an honor to be selected to perform at NAMM. We showed California how Southern Utah swings."

The upcoming concert will feature outstanding student soloists, including Brady Poor from Indiana, Kyle Ohm from Colorado, and Davyn Larm from Herriman, Utah. The program will include jazz classics such as "Ya Gotta Try" by Sammy Nestico, "As It Is" by Pat Metheny, and "La Fiesta" by Chick Corea.

The SUU Music Department continues to grow, with recent expansions including a new Music Center building, a Commercial Music degree, and a new marching band. The department now has 300 music majors and has welcomed three new faculty members: David Torres, Trevor Davis, and Jed Blodgett, who have significantly contributed to the program's success.

The Jazz Festival Evening Concert is free and open to the public. It will also recognize outstanding high school jazz ensembles that participated earlier in the day, including groups from Cedar, Canyon View, Sunrise Mountain, Copper Hills, Pine View, and Snow Canyon High Schools, among others. The evening promises an exhilarating display of jazz talent, celebrating both student musicians and accomplished professionals.