IHCC JAZZFEST features concert, competition

OTTUMWA ? The 22nd Annual Indian Hills Community College JAZZFEST will feature an opening concert Feb. 21 at St. John Auditorium on the college?s Ottumwa campus.

Twelve Iowa high school jazz bands will compete for ensemble and solo awards Feb. 22 at St. John Auditorium.

The opening concert and the full day of competition are free and open to the public.

The opening concert at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 will include a performance by the Indian Hills Jazz Band, under the direction of David Sharp. Selections by an electrifying group of guest artists will follow. Among the performers will be saxophonist Bob Long from Missouri Western University, trombonist Marc LeChance from Hastings College in Nebraska, bassist/composer Gabriel Espinosa from Central College, pianist Steve Lawson from Harlan and drummer Dennis McPartland from Cedar Rapids.

The high school competition will run from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 22.

Participating high schools will include: Centerville, Davis County, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, Fort Madison, Knoxville, Montezuma, Mount Pleasant, North Mahaska, Van Meter and Washington.

For more information on JAZZFEST 2014, contact Sharp at 800-726-2585 ext. 1836 or 641- 683-1836.