Tickets for the 40th Annual Northwest Jazz Festival concert are now on sale, an event featuring internationally acclaimed a cappella ensemble, Accent, and trombonist Rob Tapper. The concert is scheduled for Tuesday, February 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the Nelson Performing Arts Auditorium on the NWC campus.
General admission tickets are $25 and student tickets are $15. They may be purchased online at northwestmusic.org/northwest-jazz-festival, or at the door the night of the concert. There will be no advance in-person sales prior to that night.
The Northwest Jazz Festival is a non-competitive performance opportunity for vocal and instrumental jazz groups at all levels of proficiency. During the day, high-quality assessment and instruction are provided by respected jazz educators in a positive and constructive learning environment which encourages young musicians and teachers to grow through camaraderie and musical exchange. The day-long event culminates with a concert featuring the top student performers, along with other invited acts.
Appearing this year as vocal headliner is Accent, a six-man group with members from the United States, Canada, France, Sweden, and England. Their singular blend and arrangements have been acclaimed by a cappella devotees and fellow musicians alike, including Cedric Dent of TAKE 6 and Clark Burroughs of The Hi-Lo鈥檚. Self-described as 鈥渏azz vocal nerds鈥�, Accent has released five albums and performed throughout Europe, North America, and Asia, including two sold-out Christmas shows at London鈥檚 Royal Albert Hall.
Tapper, this year鈥檚 instrumental headliner, is Professor of Trombone and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Montana, and is currently the principal trombone in the Missoula Symphony, member of the UM Jazz Collective, and founder/artist of the Missoula Jazz Orchestra. He is also a member of the Washington Music Education Association Hall of Fame, and the creator of several jazz-themed programs for students and the community in Washington and Montana.