Jazz Festival
ABOUT THE JAZZ FESTIVAL
The purpose of the Jazz Festival is to instill an appreciation of the jazz genre by exposing students to blues, boogie, ragtime, standards, and other jazz styles using composed pieces, original arrangements, and improvisation. This event provides an exciting opportunity for your student to perform and hear others play in the Jazz style. They will also hear a short program by outstanding professional jazz musicians.
JAZZ FESTIVAL COORDINATOR
Terry Tennes jazzfest@camta.org
IMPORTANT DATES AND VENUE
Festival Date: Sunday, November 15, 2026
A.M. Program: 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon
P.M. Program: 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Festival Venue: The Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Ct., in Chicago
REGISTRATION AND FEES
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Sunday, October 17, 2026
$40 each solo performer or duet with teacher ($45 for non-member of CAMTA)
$35 each ensemble performer ($40 for non-member of CAMTA)
Teachers non-volunteer fee of $15
FEES CANNOT BE REFUNDED!
Registration and fee payments must be completed online (see below)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Every student receives two complimentary guest tickets.
Extra tickets are available at the door for $5 cash only.
CD accompaniments may be used.
All solos must be memorized and performance ready.
Ensemble performers may use printed music but no photocopies.
6 students/ensembles limit per teacher. Additional students may be accepted if time permits.
1 piece per student unless accompanying others.
Piece must be between 1 and 3 minutes long.
Every participant must attend the entire a.m. or p.m. Program.
There will be a raffle at the end of each program. Winners must be present.
Ensemble performers must be responsible for all of their equipment (music stands, special chairs, etc.) and must consult with the stage manager 15 minutes before the program starts.
The committee reserves the right to disqualify (or reject) selections which do not adhere to these guidelines. Feel free to call a committee member if you are unsure.
2026 JAZZ FESTIVAL
GUEST ARTIST
This year we are delighted to have the Marshall Vente Trio as our guest artist!
Pianist Marshall Vente is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh and received his M.A. from the University of Illinois Chicago. He has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Illinois Arts Council Composer Grant. In 2014, Marshall joined Roosevelt University to arrange and conduct the Large Jazz Ensemble. From 1992–2006 he hosted a four-day jazz festival and has spent 32 years hosting “Jazz Tropicale” on WDCB radio, where you can hear him every Sunday from 10:00 p.m. to midnight. In 2021 Marshall joined the faculty at Elmhurst University. For more information, visit MarshallVente.com.
Kirk Garrison attended college in his home state of Minnesota before serving in the United States Air Force Band at Maxwell AFB AL, and Offutt AFB Omaha NE. After leaving the Air Force in 1992, he completed his master's degree in jazz studies at DePaul University. Kirk is Director of Jazz Studies at Elmhurst University. He served as an adjunct professor at Elmhurst University (2014-2021), Concordia University Chicago (1995-2021) and DePaul University (2000-2014). Kirk remains active as a performer, composer, teacher and arranger in the Chicago area.
Scott Mason began his musical studies on piano, then switched to double bass while in high school. After graduating from Grinnell College in 1975, he pursued his original ambition of becoming an orchestral bassist, playing with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and studying with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra principal Joseph Guastefeste. A strong interest in improvised music, led him to lessons with the great bassist Rufus Reid, and in 1979 Mr. Mason switched his focus to the jazz and commercial fields. Scott received a Master of Music degree in Jazz Arranging and Composition from DePaul University in 1993. He was on the faculty of The CCPA Music Conservatory from 1984 until his retirement in 2023 and was Head of Jazz and Contemporary Music Studies at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) from 2013-2023.
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Jazz Festival Guest Artist List:
2025 Ben Paterson
2024 Bethany Pickens Trio
2023 Steve Million and Eric Hochberg Duo
2022 The Paul Abella Trio
2021 Jo Ann Doherty (online!)
2020 Thaddeus Tukes (online!)
2019 Jeremy Kahn
2018 Mike Smith Quartet
2017 Joan Collaso and the Larry Hanks Trio
2016 Dee Alexander, Ernie Adams, Miguel de la Cerna,
2015 John Moulder and Ken Hall
2014 Erwin Helfer and Barrelhouse Chuck
2013 Yoko Noge Trio
2012 Jim Ryan and Bobby Lewis
2011 Reginald Robinson
2010 John Bany, Charlie Braugham, Don Stille
2009 Michael Stryker, Bob Rummage, Marlene Rosenberg
2008 Joe Vito
2007 Chad Willets
2006 John Weber
2005 Rhythms of the Americas (Geraldo d’Olivera, Paulhino Garcia, Alejo Poveda)
2004 Spider Saloff with Dennis Luxion
2003 Howard Levy
2002 Jackie Allen and Judy Roberts (Jeremy Kahn, no Judy)
2001 Vince Willis
2000 Corky Siegel (chamber blues)
1999 Michael Kocour
1998 Willie Pickens?
1997
1996 Bethany Pickens?
1995
? Stu Katz
? Erwin Helfer
ONLINE REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Jazz Festival registration is completed through the CAMTA Member Portal.
Instructions for CAMTA Members:
Log in to your Member Portal account.
From the top menu, select Events.
Select 2026 Jazz Festival.
Enter your volunteer information.
Use the + Register Performers button to register students/duets/ensembles.
Complete payment through the Payment Cart to finalize your registrations.
Instructions for Non-Members
Teachers who are not CAMTA members will also need a portal account to register for the Jazz Festival.
If you already have a portal account: Log in and follow the registration instructions above. Applicable non-member fees will be added automatically.
If you do not have a portal account: Request non-member portal access via this form. Once your request is approved, you will receive an email from portal@camta.org with instructions for setting up your account. Then follow the registration instructions above.
Portal accounts are provided to teachers only, not parents.