39th Annual Jazz Festival Concert

The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band and Chicago’s own Marquis Hill headline this year’s New Trier High School Jazz Festival

If you have any special seating needs or COVID safety concerns, please email Sarah Kropski at kropskis@nths.net.

If you would like to be a Jazz Festival Sponsor, please visit Jazz Festival on Revtrak where you'll find links to our Sponsorship Forms. Your financial contribution will go a long way toward making this year's festival a success!

The Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band, with special guest and Chicago’s own Marquis Hill, will headline the 39^th Annual Frank Mantooth New Trier Jazz Festival on Saturday, February 5^th, 2022. As a coveted drummer, Owens has become a torchbearer for his generation of jazz musicians, playing in some of the most revered jazz groups in the world. He also serves as a mentor to countless younger members of the New York jazz scene, through his teaching at The Juilliard School, and as the leader of his namesake big band. Owens has carefully and intentionally sought out diverse musical voices for his ensemble, a point DownBeat Magazine highlighted in their glowing review of Soul Conversations, the first album by the Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band.      

            “Owens Jr. and his band has succeeded in creating a true musical melting pot, with musicians younger and older, Black, white and brown, anchored by some of the most dynamic young women playing in New York.”

For Nic Meyer, Director of Jazz Ensembles at New Trier, the music on Soul Conversations created the initial impulse to contact Owens about headlining this year’s festival, but once he realized the multiple levels of diversity in the band, he was certain this booking had to happen. “I can’t tell you how excited I am for our audience, and especially the hundreds of student musicians in attendance, to watch this band perform. The opportunity for a great many of our students to see themselves reflected in the musicians on stage will have a lasting effect. And of course, they’re going to love this music!”.   

Joining Owens and his big band will be Chicago’s own Marquis Hill, one of the most revered trumpeters of his generation, and a musician responsible for helping shape a new future for modern jazz. Hill grew up in Chicago’s thriving creative music community, surrounded by mentors who quickly recognized his outsized talent. After completing degrees at Northern Illinois University and DePaul University, Hill won the Thelonious Monk Prize (the most prestigious prize in jazz) in 2014. Hill’s mellifluous tone and effortless virtuosity will pair perfectly with the youthful energy of Owens’s big band. New Trier’s Jazz Ensemble 1 will kick off the concert with their opening set. 

For its 39^th year, the New Trier Jazz Festival will host over 40 visiting high school and middle school jazz ensembles from around the country, many of whom return year after year for the unique educational experience the event delivers.

Students spend the day performing for world-renowned jazz clinicians, attending workshops and master classes, and taking in concerts. All daytime events are free and open to the public, and the entire schedule will be available at www.ntjazz.com