Indian Hills Community College hosting JazzFest Friday, Saturday

OTTUMWA - The 27th annual 'JazzFest” will be held Friday and Saturday on the Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa campus.

The weekend of jazz will begin with the opening concert Friday, in St. John Auditorium. Then, on Saturday, the high school bands will compete for ensemble and solo awards, also in the auditorium.

The opening concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday will include performances by the Indian Hills Jazz Band under the direction of David Sharp, and a dynamic group of professional guest artists. Among the performers will be trumpeter Jim Bovinette from Iowa State University, trombonist Anthony Williams and bassist Alex Pershounin from the University of Northern Iowa, and guitarist Peter Bouffard from the University of Nebraska.

The high school competition will run from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Participating high schools this year will include Fort Madison, Washington, Mt. Pleasant, Oskaloosa, Centerville, Cardinal, Moulton-Udell, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, North Mahaska and Van Meter.

The Friday concert and the full day of high school performances are free and open to the public.