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National Jazz Workshop at Shenandoah Conservatory Presents Annual Free Concert Series
WINCHESTER, Va. — The National Jazz Workshop at Shenandoah Conservatory will present its annual Free Concert Series, bringing outstanding jazz artists, educators, ensembles, and young musicians to the Shenandoah Valley this July. Since 2009, the National Jazz Workshop has welcomed over 2,000 students, educators, professionals, and community members for a week of concerts, masterclasses, and immersive jazz education.
All concerts and masterclasses are free and open to the public. Events will take place in Armstrong Concert Hall on the campus of Shenandoah University, located at 702 University Drive, Winchester, VA 22601. Free parking is available.
The 2026 series features acclaimed regional and national artists, professional big bands, masterclasses, and special collaborations celebrating jazz performance, education, and community.
Free Concert Series Schedule
Sunday, July 12 — 7 p.m. The JO’s Big BandThe JO’s Big Band is an elite jazz ensemble made up of top young jazz musicians from across theWashington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia music scene. Led by band leader Tyler Makowiecki, the group is known for high-energy performances and exciting contemporary big band music.
Monday, July 13 — 3:30 p.m. The Winchester Jazz CollectiveThe Winchester Jazz Collective is a prominent regional ensemble featuring top-tier jazz professionals and faculty from Shenandoah University’s Shenandoah Conservatory. Directed by Professor Matthew Niess, thegroup performs dynamic tributes to jazz legends and specialized programs such as Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, and Miles, Monk & Mingus.
Monday, July 13 — 7 p.m. The Vosbein-Magee Big BandA professional big band in residence at Washington and Lee University, the Vosbein-Magee Big Bandfeatures compositions and arrangements by co-leaders Terry Vosbein and Chris Magee. Their recent recording, Vagabond, featuring guitarist Royce Campbell, has received critical acclaim and is available onSpotify and other platforms.
Tuesday, July 14 — 3:30 p.m. Hugo Cruz and Caminos MasterclassHugo Alexander Cruz Machado is a Cuban-born, award-winning international drummer, composer, and bandleader of the group Caminos. Cruz and Caminos have appeared at the Smithsonian Museum, Fábricade Arte Cubano in Havana, the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, Carnegie Museum, and the Erie Blues& Jazz Festival, among others. Caminos fuses Afro-Cuban, Cuban, and American musical traditions into an original contemporary sound that honors traditional Cuban forms.
Tuesday, July 14 — 7 p.m. Mike Tomaro and Hugo Cruz Big BandInternationally recognized saxophonist, bandleader, arranger, composer, and educator Mike Tomaro teamsup with Hugo Cruz for an electrifying program of Latin jazz. Arranged and directed by Tomaro, the concertwill feature prominent Washington, D.C., musicians in a powerful big band setting.
Wednesday, July 15 — 1 p.m. Mike Kamuf Little Big BandThe Mike Kamuf Little Big Band brings together eight outstanding musicians from the Washington, D.C.,and Baltimore region. The ensemble’s repertoire includes original compositions and arrangements by MikeKamuf, along with jazz standards and selections from the Great American Songbook.
Wednesday, July 15 — 4 p.m. CraftWorx Big BandPerforming weekly at CraftWorx in Gainesville, Virginia, for the last four years, the CraftWorx Big Band ismade up of exceptional musicians from across Northern Virginia and the greater Washington, D.C., area. Itsmembers bring decades of experience as educators, performers, arrangers, composers, and recording artists.
Thursday, July 16 — 3:30 p.m. Ashlin Parker MasterclassAshlin Parker is a versatile jazz trumpeter based in New Orleans who is sought after for big band, small ensemble, and solo performances. He has performed with ensembles at jazz festivals and clubs throughout the world, including appearances in Australia, Barbados, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, England, Finland, France,Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and Wales.
Thursday, July 16 — 7 p.m. Ashlin Parker & The Trumpet MafiaAshlin Parker leads the Trumpet Mafia and performs regularly with major New Orleans ensembles, including the Ellis Marsalis Quintet, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, and Bill Summers and Jazalsa. He has performed with Ellis Marsalis, Jason Marsalis, Delfeayo Marsalis, Herlin Riley, Roland Guerin, Leroy Jones, and many more.