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Germany’s WDR Big Band to headline Elmhurst University Jazz Festival

Posted February 12, 2025 11:44 am

By Desiree Chen, Elmhurst University

The WDR Big Band is traveling from Cologne, Germany to perform at the Elmhurst University Jazz Festival. The band, led by Bob Mintzer, will be performing in the evenings on Feb. 21-23. Courtesy of Elmhurst University

Performing in the U.S. for the first time in decades, Germany’s WDR Big Band, with musical director Bob Mintzer, will be among the featured artists at the 58th annual Elmhurst University Jazz Festival, one of the oldest and best-known collegiate festivals in the country.

The lineup of acclaimed featured artists also includes the Yellowjackets and guitarist Dave Stryker, who will perform with the WDR Big Band during the four-day festival on the Elmhurst University campus.

For over 40 years, the Yellowjackets have received 17 Grammy nominations and won two. The band will be performing at the Elmhurst University Jazz Festival on Friday, Feb. 21. Courtesy of Elmhurst University

In addition, the Jazz Festival will welcome guest artists including drummer Danny Gottlieb, trombonist Ryan Keberle and saxophonist Alexa Tarantino, who all will perform with the renowned Elmhurst University Jazz Band and serve as adjudicators at the Jazz Festival, which will take place from Feb. 20-23.

Now in its 58th year, the Elmhurst University Jazz Festival welcomes top college and university jazz bands from across the country to participate in performances, master classes and more.

One of the renowned musicians at Elmhurst University Jazz Festival is trombonist Ryan Keberle who has performed with acclaimed musicians such as Maria Schneider, David Bowie, Sufjan Stevens, Alicia Keys, Wynton Marsalis and Justin Timberlake. Courtesy of John Rogers

The bands take turns performing for some of the greatest names in professional jazz today, who offer critiques and honors, and then give performances of their own.

The festival kicks off on Thursday, Feb. 20, with the High School Invitational, made possible with the generous support of the Sylvia and William W. Gretsch Memorial Foundation.

Participating high schools include: Addison Trail High School, Fenton High School in Bensenville, Glenbard East High School in Lombard, Lake Central High School in St. John, Indiana; Naperville Central High School, Oak Park and River Forest High School in Oak Park, St. Charles East High School, and Whitney M. Young High School in Chicago

The invitational ends with a performance by Danny Gottlieb, Ryan Keberle and Alexa Tarantino with the Elmhurst University Jazz Band.

College and university band performances begin on Friday, Feb. 21.

That evening’s feature performance will be given by the WDR Big Band from Cologne, Germany, described by Downbeat magazine as one of Europe's finest large jazz ensembles.

Performing with them will be the Yellowjackets, a Grammy Award-winning American jazz fusion band that has been performing and recording for more than 40 years.

Guitarist Dave Stryker will be performing with the WDR Big Band at the Elmhurst University Jazz Festival on Saturday, Feb. 22. Courtesy of Elmhurst University Jazz Festival

On Saturday, Feb. 22, a clinic and master class with Gottlieb, Keberle and Tarantino begins another day of college performances, followed that evening with a concert by the WDR Big Band and Dave Stryker, hailed by The Village Voice as “one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years.”

On the final day of the festival, the program features more college and university performances and concludes that afternoon with a performance by the WDR Big Band with Bob Mintzer. The college groups participating on Sunday include: Illinois Wesleyan Jazz Trio from Illinois Wesleyan University; JJC Jazz Band from Joliet Junior College; DuPage Community Jazz Ensemble from College of DuPage; Harper College Jazz Ensemble; Hillsdale College Big Band; and the Elmhurst University Jazz Band.

This year’s sessions and featured performances will take place in person, in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst, and via livestream.

The weekend package is $120. Tickets for the WDR Big Band performances on Feb. 21-22 are $52 each while their performance with the University Ensembles on Feb. 23 is $40. The High School Invitational on Feb. 20 and the University Ensemble performances on Feb. 21-22 are $12 each.

All of the programs are open to the public. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit elmhurst.edu/JazzFestival.

Drummer Danny Gottlieb, a founding member of the Pat Metheny Group and co-founder of Elements, will be performing at Elmhurst University Jazz Festival. Courtesy of Elmhurst University

The Elmhurst University Jazz Festival is an ideal forum for jazz education, where some of the world’s most acclaimed artists gather with the next generation of musicians not only to perform the music but also to explore it together.

Students have access to some of the best musicians in the business and can talk with them about their work and artistry, gaining professional connections and insights.

Alto saxophonist Sharel Cassity Courtesy of Sharel Cassity

In addition, Elmhurst University students run the festival, which gives them relevant, firsthand experience and a professional edge in a highly competitive marketplace.

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