35th Annual Jazz Festival
The MANY WORLDS OF STEVE WILSON
March 19-22, 2025
ALL CONCERTS TAKE PLACE IN MADELEINE WING ADLER THEATER
All concerts free and open to the public.
Join all of the school’s ensembles, faculty and guests artists in a celebration of improvisatory music.
Sponsored by our friends at WRTI 90.1
Student Showcase
MARCH 19, 2025 | 12:00 PM | Madeleine Wing Adler Theater
Join us for the first featured concert of a student ensemble. Chosen through a rigorous audition process, our Thursday afternoon concert will feature a student-led, student-conceived, and all student-performing ensemble.
WCU Faculty Jazz Concert
MARCH 19, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Madeleine Wing Adler Theater
Join the Faculty of the Wells School of Music for an evening of standards and original music!
Steve Wilson and Gary Versace
MARCH 20, 2025 | 12:00 PM | Madeleine Wing Adler Theater
Join Steve Wilson and Gary Versace for an intimate duo concert. Steve Wilson has attained ubiquitous status in the studio and on the stage with the greatest names in jazz. A bandleader in his own right, Jazz Times calls him “the consummate saxophonist-composer and “one of the finest alto and soprano saxophonists of our time.” A musician’s musician, Wilson has brought his distinctive sound to more than 100 recordings led by such celebrated and wide-ranging artists as Chick Corea, George Duke, Michael Brecker, Dave Holland, Dianne Reeves, Bill Bruford, Gerald Wilson, Maria Schneider, Joe Henderson, Charlie Byrd, Billy Childs, Karrin Allyson, Don Byron, Bill Stewart, James Williams, and Mulgrew Miller among many others. Wilson has eight recordings under his own name. Grammy-award nominee, Gary Versace, is a DownBeat Critics and Reader’s Poll winner and teaches at the Eastman School of Music.
The Chamber World of Steve Wilson with Diane Monroe
MARCH 20, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Madeleine Wing Adler Theater
Joined by Philadelphia’s own, violinist Diane Monroe, Steve explores a variety of music for chamber orchestra. A collaboration with Profs. Paul Bryan and Joseph Hodge, the WCU Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra. Featuring music by Duke Ellington, Mary Lou Williams, arrangements by Director of Jazz Studies, Jonathan Ragonese, and featuring music from Bird with Strings.
“Management, The Road, Booking, and more”
A Special interview with Steve Wilson and Laura Hartmann, founder of LVanHart Artist
Productions
MARCH 21, 2025 | 12:00 PM | Madeleine Wing Adler Theater
Join Steve and his longtime friend and manager, Laura Hartmann as they discuss their partnership, Steve’s career, and Laura’s work in the industry. A conversation with Director of Jazz Studies, Jonathan Ragonese.
Steve Wilson meets The Criterions
MARCH 21, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Madeleine Wing Adler Theater
Join the Criterions Jazz Ensemble as they traverse music from Steve’s long and storied career in the big band world and beyond. Featuring music from the big bands of Joe Henderson, Maria Schneider, Charles Mingus, Christian McBride and more.
High School Jazz Festival
MARCH 22, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Madeleine Wing Adler Theater
In partnership with Cavalcade of Bands, join a host of high school big bands as they come to campus and perform for one another, receive clinics and participate in masterclasses.
GA Tickets: $15 Adults | $8 Seniors & Students | Free for WCU Students (Tickets include evening performance)
Steve Wilson meets the Wind Ensemble
MARCH 22, 2025 | 5:00 PM | Madeleine Wing Adler Theater
Premiere of newly commissioned work by Grammy-award winning composer Billy Childs
The centerpiece of the 35th annual festival features the culmination of multi-year
commission consortium, led by WCU, with over ten other universities. A new concerto
for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble written by Steve’s longtime friend and collaborator,
Billy Childs, will receive its world premiere. The evening’s concert will also feature
the Criterions and other works for Wind Ensemble under the director of Dr. Andrew
Yozviak.
GA Tickets: $12 Adults | $6 Seniors & Students | Free for WCU Students (HS Jazz Fest Tickets, free entry)