Thomas Middle School Hosts 16th Annual Jazz Jamboree

Now in its 16^th year, the annual Jazz Jamboree will be held this coming Saturday at Thomas Middle School.

In all, 13 Illinois middle schools will be performing in a non-competitive festival, that is held exclusively for junior high jazz bands, said Dana Berry, District 25 band director.

Two of those schools are South Jazz Ensemble, who will perform at 9 a.m. and Thomas Jazz Band, scheduled to start their performance at 3:30 p.m. (click on PDF to the right for a full schedule of who is performing, and when). 

“The atmosphere is one that invites jazz bands to come and perform for a live audience, and there are clinicians who give feedback to the musicians, which gives them a valuable, evaluative experience,” Berry said.

The first of six performances will begin at 8:30 a.m., and end at 11:30 a.m.

At noon, Berry said there will be a special treat for those who attend.

“The noon time performance will be from Tom Matta Big Band, a jazz band made up of all professional musicians from Chicago who are highly regarded," Berry said. “It’s really quite something that they are willing to come to our school and perform for us.”

The final seven schools will cap off the day starting at 1 p.m., with the last performance beginning at 4 p.m.

The Jazz Jamobree will be held on Saturday, February 2 at Thomas Middle School, 1430 N. Belmont.

The cost is $5 for adults, and students are free.

“It’s a long standing tradition and a special event for all of us,” Berry said.