The 57th Marshall University Winter Jazz Festival
February 25 – 27, 2026
Featuring guest artist Roxy Coss, a Joan C. Edwards Distinguished Professor in the Arts
Click here to register for the 2026 MU Winter Jazz Festival
Grammy-winning musician, composer, educator, and activist Roxy Coss is one of the most unique and innovative saxophonists on the jazz scene. She is the founder and president of the Women In Jazz Organization (WIJO), director of jazz studies at Stony Brook University, and Co-Artistic Director of the Brubeck Jazz Summit. Learn more about (and listen to) Roxy here: roxycoss.com
Jazz ensembles of all sizes and configurations are welcome to attend. Each ensemble will present a 20-minute set of music, with feedback provided by our distinguished panel of adjudicators, followed by an individual 30-minute clinic session. Further, Roxy Coss will present a one-hour masterclass for you and your students. Finally, attendance to all of the evening concerts, including those by Roxy, are free and open to all.
Registration for the festival will close on Friday, February 13, 2026. Stay tuned for more information, festival lineups, etc., as well as details regarding audition info for the Thundering Herd All-Star Jazz Ensemble. Let’s make this the biggest and best festival yet!
Guest Artist David Smith presenting a masterclass to area middle and high school students at the 2025 MU Winter Jazz Festival
The MU Jazz Ensemble I teaming up with the Thundering Herd All-Stars for the finale of the 56th MU Winter Jazz Festival.
Thundering Herd All-Star Jazz Ensemble
The Thundering Herd All-Star Jazz Ensemble is comprised of some of the most talented young jazz musicians across our region and participation is by audition only. This year’s band will be led by our outstanding jazz guitar faculty member, Prof. Nick Vassar. The THASJE will open the festival’s final concert and students will get the opportunity to “sit in” with our guest artist during the concert’s finale. If you have students who are considering a career in music, this is an incredible opportunity for them to experience what playing in a collegiate ensemble is like, but in a safe, positive, and encouraging environment. Even if you do not plan on bringing your band to the festival, please encourage your students to audition.
Festival History
The Marshall University Winter Jazz Festival is one of the oldest collegiate jazz festivals in North America. Founded in 1969 by Professor J.D. Folsom, the festival is held in February of each year and features performances by various MU Jazz Ensembles, the regions’ finest middle school and high school jazz bands, along with clinics and performances by world-renown jazz artists and educators, as well as members of the MU jazz faculty. High school & middle school jazz ensembles/combos of any size are invited to participate. Each group will receive real-time feedback, as well as an individual clinic by one of the festival clinicians. School groups will also have the opportunity to work with and witness some of the best professional jazz musicians and educators in the country. Past guest artists include The Count Basie Orchestra, The Stan Kenton Orchestra, Woody Herman and his Thundering Herd, Maynard Ferguson, Clark Terry, Gary Burton, Art Pepper, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra with Sherrie Maracle, The USAF Airmen of Note, Bill Watrous, Paquito D’Rivera, Steve Turre, Jim Snidero, and The Sean Jones Quintet.
Past Guest Artists
- 2025 – David Smith
- 2024 – Earl MacDonald
- 2023 – Joseph Jefferson
- 2022 – Pete Mills B3 4tet
- 2021 – Ryan Adamsons (virtual clinician)
- 2020 – Monika Herzig and The Time Flies
- 2019 – Rob Parton & The Columbus Jazz Orchestra
- 2018 – Bob Thompson & Tom Hildreth
- 2017 – Steve Turre & Ashlin Parker
- 2016 – Jim Snidero & Reggie Watkins
- 2015 – Sean Jones Quartet, Mark Sherman
- 2014 – Butch Miles, Blue Wisp Big Band
- 2013 – USAF Airmen of Note
- 2012 – Dirty Dozen Brass Band
- 2011 – Chris Vadala, Vince DiMartino
- 2010 – Greg Abate, Bob Thompson
- 2009 – Sergio Mendes, Dave Dickey
- 2008 – The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra
- 2007 – DIVA Jazz Orchestra with Sherrie Maracle
- 2006 – Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band with Paquito D’Rivera
- 2005 – The Columbus Jazz Orchestra with Byron Stripling
- 2004 – Arturo Sandoval
- 2003 – James Depogny
- 2002 – Conrad Herwig
- 2001 – Denis DeBlasio, James Olcott
- 2000 – Terry Gibbs
- 1999 – Marty Erickson
- 1998 – Alvin Batiste, Blake Wallace
- 1997 – Bill Prince, Steve Rehbein
- 1996 – Dave Valentin, Michael Golden
- 1995 – Vaughn Nark, Dom Famularo
- 1994 – Eddie Daniels
- 1993 – Bill Watrous
- 1992 – Tactical Air Command Jazz Ensemble
- 1991 – Chris Vadala, Hank Marr
- 1990 – Tactical Air Command Jazz Ensemble, Bob Thompson Trio
- 1989 – Vaughn Wiester, McHenry Ellis
- 1988 – Bob Thompson Trio, Dwayne Dolphin
- 1987 – Mike Vax, Gary Carney
- 1986 – Jim Rupp, Vaughn Wiester
- 1985 – Patti Coker, Bob Breithaupt
- 1984 – The Count Basie Orchestra
- 1983 – Larry McWilliams, Vincent DiMartino
- 1982 – Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra with Buddy Morrow
- 1981 – Dominic Spera, Kent Wehman
- 1980 – Gary Burton Quartet, Ed Soph
- 1979 – Herbie Mann and his Orchestra
- 1978 – Woody Herman and his Orchestra
- 1977 – Stan Kenton and his Orchestra
- 1976 – Maynard Ferguson and his Orchestra
- 1975 – Jamey Aebersold, Rich Matteson
- 1974 – Gary Burton, Art Pepper
- 1973 – Clark Terry, Roger Pemberton
- 1972 – Phil Wilson, Jerry Coleman
- 1971 – Joe Farrell
- 1969-1970 – No guest artists for the first two years (numbering began in 1970)
