Jazz in the Meadows is back for 27th year
Some of the best high school jazz bands in the Midwest will be at Rolling Meadows High School on Saturday, Feb. 25 for the 27th Jazz in the Meadows.
Nearly 100 high school and junior high jazz bands from all over the Midwest — Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri and even California — come to play and compete in more than 100 performances.
Performances begin at 8 a.m. The day is filled with great music, jam sessions, and clinics.
Move around to hear performances in both competitive and noncompetitive classes in the Library, Women’s Gym, Main Gym, Fieldhouse, Orchestra Room, New Band Room, Art Room and Theater.
Each performance room has three reputable college or high-school directors or professional jazz musicians serving as adjudicators. In addition, there will and a professional concert in the gym.
Each year, Jazz in the Meadows features clinics by an elite group of educators and performers and students are encouraged to participate. All clinics will be held in the multimedia room.
This year, the festival has a jam session in the Commons so students can come down with their instruments and “jam” with kids from different schools.
The noon concert features local combo Farier Climes, the latest collaboration of Andy Bautista and Jason Miller. Their previous groups, Fracas Exhibition and Bautista, proved to be the testing grounds for Latin-infused fusion jazz for which Bautista and Miller are known. Normally a guitar trio, Farier Climes has invited some friends to join in on this latest installment which is sure to be an enjoyable experience.
And at the end of the day, students and jazz fans are treated to a concert by the Thomas Matta Big Band.
Local high schools participating this year are: Antioch Community High School; Barrington High School; Benet Academy; Bolingbrook High School; Buffalo Grove High School; Carmel Catholic High School; Conant High School; Elk Grove High School; Fremd High School; John Hersey High School; Lake Zurich High School; Mundelein High School; Naperville North High School; Rolling Meadows High School; St. Viator High School; Schaumburg High School; Warren Township High School; Wheaton North High School and Wheeling High School.
If you go
Rolling Meadows High School, 2901 W. Central Road, Rolling Meadows.
Ÿ All-day pass: Adults $10; student $7; senior $7; Family of four $25
Ÿ Finale concert only: Adults $7; students $5; seniors $5