ISD #318 Jazz Fest
The ISD #318 Jazz Festival has been a long standing tradition, going back to the Mid 1980's. The jazz festival is a non-competitive format that allows students to share in the American Music tradition of Jazz. The festival is always in May and features some of the finest jazz musicians as clinicians. Previous artists have included Jeff Rupert, Denis DiBlasio, Wycliffe Gordon, Allen Vizzutti, Tom Brantley, Dean Sorenson, Rex Richardson, Kenni Holmen, Bret Zvacek, Michael Philip Mossman, Ryan Frane and the list goes on.
This year's Jazz Fest was held on May 2, 2022. The special guest performer was Mr. Denis DiBlasio. Mr. DiBlasio is an American saxophonist and educator. He received his master's degree from the University of Miami. He is the Executive Director of the Maynard Ferguson Institute of Jazz at Rowan University and is a saxophonist, composer, arranger and musical director for the Institute.
During the day, Mr. DiBlasio worked with the Grand Rapids bands students and then performed with the various jazz bands during the evening concerts to a nearly full house.
For information about attending the jazz festival as a performing group, please contact Mr. Dale Gunderson by emailing grbands@isd318.org.