36th Annual Purdue Jazz Festival
The 36th Annual Purdue Jazz Festival, sponsored by Music for All and in partnership with Essentially Ellington, will take place January 22–24, 2026, with an additional special performance on January 31, 2026.
The festival launches on Thursday, January 22, at 7 PM with a free Community Jazz Showcase at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. This opening concert celebrates local high school musicians from Harrison, Lafayette Jefferson, McCutcheon, and West Lafayette High School, who will perform alongside the Purdue Jazz Band and Artist-in-Residence, trombonist Kirby Fellis.
Headlining the festival is the legendary jazz fusion group Yellowjackets, performing Loeb Playhouse on Friday, January 23, at 8 PM. With a 43-year legacy, Yellowjackets have released 26 albums, earned 16 Grammy® nominations, and established themselves as one of the most influential groups in contemporary jazz. Originally formed in the late 1970s as Robben Ford’s backing band, they soon evolved into a powerhouse ensemble. Longtime members Russell Ferrante, William Kennedy, and Bob Mintzer continue to define the band’s signature electro-acoustic sound and exceptional musicianship. Known for continually reinventing themselves while honoring their jazz roots, Yellowjackets remain a vital force on the global jazz stage.
On Saturday, January 24, more than 100 middle and high school jazz bands from across the Midwest will converge on Purdue University’s campus for a full day of performances and competitions. Ensembles will compete in various divisions throughout Stewart Center, Purdue Memorial Union, and Elliott Hall of Music (the Essentially Ellington site). The Purdue Jazz Band will present two concerts that are free and open to the public: one at 12:45 PM in Loeb Playhouse with Artist-in-Residence Kirby Fellis, and another at 7 PM in Elliott Hall of Music featuring Guest Artist, trombonist Marshall Gilkes. Throughout the day, special guests and clinicians—including Monika Herzig (keys), Natalie Boeyink (bass), Karina Colis (percussion), and Essentially Ellington Clinicians, Lauren Sevian (baritone saxophone) and John Reynolds (Trumpet)—will offer lectures and demonstrations open to all registered festival participants.
Guest Artist & Clinicians
John Reynolds
Essentially Ellington Clinician
As a fitting finale, on Saturday, January 31, at 8 PM, the Purdue Jazz Band, under the direction of Professor Bethany Robinson, has the distinct honor of opening for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, led by trumpeter and Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis, as part of Purdue Convocations’ annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Event at Elliott Hall of Music. Founded in 1987, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra serves as the resident orchestra of its namesake in New York City and is dedicated to preserving and advancing the legacy of jazz.
