Valparaiso University Hosts 32nd Jazz Fest

Headliners: Victor Wooten Trio on April 7, CALJE (The Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble) on April 8

Valparaiso University will host the 2017 Jazz Fest April 3–8 with an array of exciting performances by talented artists, including local performers as well as CALJE (The Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble) and the Victor Wooten Trio featuring Dennis Chambers and Bob Franceschini.

Featured Jazz Fest Events:

• Local high school bands and the Valparaiso University student jazz combo — Monday, April 3, 6 p.m., Harre Union Ballrooms. Admission is free.
• Valparaiso University Jazz Ensemble and Ballroom Dancers, featuring vocalist Maura Janton Cock — Tuesday, April 4, 7:30 p.m., Harre Union Ballroom. Sponsored by the Valparaiso University music department and the Valparaiso Concert Association. An evening of classic jazz standards from the 40s, 50s, and beyond. Tickets cost $15 for the general public; $10 for seniors and non-Valpo students; and are free to Valpo students, faculty, staff and card-carrying members of the Valparaiso Concert Association. • Local high school bands with special guest performance by the Valparaiso University Faculty Jazz Trio — Wednesday, April 5, 6 p.m., Harre Union Ballroom. Admission is free.
• Valparaiso University Jazz Ensemble featuring special guest Mark Colby, tenor saxophone — Thursday, April 6, 7:30 p.m., Harre Union Ballroom. Directed by Jeffrey C. Brown. Tickets cost $10 for the general public; $8 for seniors and Valpo retirees and alumni; and are free to Valpo students, faculty and staff.
• Victor Wooten Trio featuring Dennis Chambers and Bob Franceschini — Friday, April 7, 8 p.m., Harre Union Ballroom C. Tickets cost $25 for the general public; $20 for seniors and Valpo retirees, alumni, faculty and staff; and $10 for Valpo students.
• CALJE (The Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble) featuring Papo Santago, vocals — Saturday, April 8, 8 p.m., Harre Union Ballroom. Tickets cost $25 for the general public; $20 for seniors and Valpo retirees, alumni, faculty and staff; and $10 for Valpo students.

A modern jazz legend, Victor Wooten is a five-time Grammy Award winner who was named one of the top 10 bass players of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. He is also the only three-time bass player of the year awardee in the history of Bass Player Magazine. His band features jazz stars Dennis Chambers on drums and Bob Franceschini on saxophone.

Founded in 2006, CALJE (The Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble) fuses Afro-Latin American music and jazz with influences from Chicago’s diverse Latin and jazz community. With a global sound and ensemble, CALJE has played in some of the finest performance halls and made its debut by kicking off the “Jazz en Clave” Latin Jazz Festival at Chicago’s HotHouse, alongside the Grammy Award Nominated drummer Dafnis Prieto’s Quintet, Jane Bunnet, and virtuoso violinist Alfredo de la Fe.

Tickets are available at www.valpo.edu/union or by visiting the Harre Union Welcome Desk. Online tickets are available March 1 and in person beginning March 7.