Indian Hills JAZZFEST To Take Place On February 23
Indian Hills
OTTUMWA — Eleven high school jazz bands will compete, there will be an outstanding opening concert and over a quarter of a century of jazz will be celebrated on the Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa campus this month when the college hosts the 26th annual Indian Hills JAZZFEST.
The weekend of jazz will begin with the opening concert on Friday, Feb. 23, in St. John Auditorium. Then, on Saturday, Feb. 24, the high school bands will compete for ensemble and solo awards, also in the auditorium. The Friday concert and the full day of competition are free and open to the public.
The opening concert at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 23, will include a performance by the Indian Hills Jazz Band under the direction of David Sharp. Selections by a dynamic group of guest artists will follow. Among the performers will be Des Moines musicians trumpeter Dave Kobberdahl and bassist Dave Altemeier, trombonist John Benoit from Simpson College, saxophonist Jim Romain from Drake University, and legendary pianist and jazz educator Bob Washut from the University of Northern Iowa.
The high school competition will run from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24. Participating high schools will include Fort Madison, Washington, Mount Pleasant, Oskaloosa, Centerville, Prairie City-Monroe, North Mahaska and Van Meter.
