Elmhurst College celebrating joys of jazz

Celebrating the joys of jazz isn't exactly a new concept at Elmhurst College.

This year's Jazz Festival, which opened Thursday and continues through Sunday at the school's Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel at 190 Prospect Ave., marks the 51st such party at the college.

And, as usual, the homage to the great American musical genre brings together professional musicians as well as student performers from area high schools and colleges from Illinois, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Ohio, Texas, Michigan, Indiana and Iowa.

Among the pros performing this weekend are the Maria Schneider Orchestra from New York, which takes the stage Saturday night, and trumpeter Sean Jones, trombonist Jiggs Whigham and drummer Matt Williams.

For details, visit elmhurst.edu or call (630) 617-5534.