U-R update

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Sharp tunes and swingin’ grooves will be on display for all to see and hear on the front campus of Georgia College beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Allied Arts, the Georgia College Department of Music and Milledgeville Main Street have all partnered together to bring the 28th annual JazzFest to the community with no charge for admission.

The highlight of this year’s festival and what has music lovers most excited is the appearance and performance by world-renowned saxophonist Jeff Coffin. He is a three-time Grammy Award winner who is a member of Dave Matthews Band and has recorded with other well-known artists such as Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks and Van Morrison. Coffin is also a sponsored musician and works as an adjunct instructor of jazz saxophone at Vanderbilt University.

“This year’s JazzFest is bigger than previous years because we’ve added a world-class jazz musician to work with the school students and the GC jazz band, Jeff Coffin,” said Allied Arts Executive Director Brian Renko. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for the students to work with Coffin. We’ve also included jazz bands from all over the state to perform on GC’s campus. There will be eight bands playing on Saturday and five of those bands are high school jazz bands.”

School jazz bands, both local and from around the state, will kick off the music. The Jones County High School jazz band followed by Oak Hill Middle School, Houston County High School, Baldwin High School and Riverwood International Charter School out of Atlanta set the stage throughout the afternoon. The Georgia College Jazz Combo and Alumni Band are the last to take the stage before Coffin headlines with the Georgia College Jazz Band beginning around 7 p.m. Renko said the concert should conclude around sundown Saturday night.

Music lovers are invited to come for some or stay for all of the evening’s acts and bring lawn chairs, blankets, food and drink.

“Partnering with Allied Arts and Milledgeville Main Street has enabled us to bring even more great jazz to Milledgeville,” said Dr. Cliff Towner, GC director of band activities in a press release. “The seven performing ensembles, along with an artist of the caliber of Jeff Coffin, are sure to please jazz enthusiasts and the community at large.”

For more information regarding the 28th annual JazzFest, call Allied Arts at 478-452-3950 or the GC music department at 478-445-8289.