Jazz Events
To stay updated with all music and cultural events, view the Elon University cultural calendar.
Friday, January 31
Open Jam Session
Oak House, 8:30 p.m.
Bring your instrument and play! Hosted by the Elon Jazz Combo.
Friday, February 7
Tiny Shelf Concert: Elon Jazz Celebrates Black History Month
Belk Library, 5:30 p.m. | Presented by Center for Race, Ethnicity & Diversity Education
Elon jazz students will present jazz pieces inspired by the American Civil Rights Movement.
Friday, February 21
Elon Jazz Festival: School Performances
McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts, approx. 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Enjoy performances by local high school and middle school jazz bands, as well as a special masterclass by Elon Jazz Festival guest artists Allison Miller and Carmen Staaf.
Friday, February 21
Elon Jazz Festival: Jam Session
Oak House, 8:30 p.m.
Bring your instrument and play! Hosted by the Elon Jazz Combo and Elon Jazz Festival guest artists Allison Miller and Carmen Staaf.
Saturday, February 22
Elon Jazz Festival with guest artists Allison Miller and Carmen Staaf
McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m. | Directed by Alex Heitlinger
The Elon Jazz Festival culminates in a special performance by the Elon Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos featuring guest artists Allison Miller and Carmen Staaf. Described by critics as a Modern Jazz icon in the making, Allison Miller won DownBeat’s 67th Annual Critics Poll for “Rising Star Drummer” and JazzTimes’ 2019 Critics Poll for “Best Jazz Drummer.” In addition to leading her own groups, Miller has worked with Ani DeFranco, Natalie Merchant, Brandy Carlile and Dr. Lonnie Smith. She is also a member of the all-female jazz supergroup ARTEMIS. Pianist/composer Carmen Staaf is a rising force in the NYC and global music scenes. She has performed and recorded with some of the most influential and important musicians of our era. Currently, she is the pianist and Musical Director for NEA Jazz Master Dee Dee Bridgewater. Her past major performances have included the Playboy Jazz Festival in a two-piano setting with the legendary Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and the Kennedy Center alongside Kenny Barron and Fred Hersch. She has been heard at the Village Vanguard, Blue Note, SFJAZZ, and major jazz festivals around the world including the Newport, Monterey, Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals, among many others. Please visit the Jazz Festival website for updated information. Sponsored by the Department of Music.
Tuesday, March 4
College Coffee Mardi Gras
Alumni Gym, 9:40 a.m.
Celebrate Mardi Gras with the Elon Jazz Combo!
Friday, April 4
Open Jam Session
Oak House, 8:30 p.m.
Bring your instrument and play! Hosted by the Elon Jazz Combo.
Friday, April 11
Elon University Jazz Ensembles Spring Concert
McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m. | Directed by Alex Heitlinger
Elon’s Jazz Studies program presents an exciting selection of traditional and contemporary jazz music performed by the Elon University Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos. Sponsored by the Department of Music
Tuesday, April 22
Art Lande Trio with Alan Hall & Alex Heitlinger
Elon Community Church, 217 N. Williamson Avenue, Elon, 7:30 p.m.
Elon’s Jazz Studies presents an evening of fun, adventurous musical explorations. GRAMMY-nominated Art Lande is an internationally known pianist, composer, improviser, drummer and educator who has performed with a long list of the Who’s Who in jazz, including Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw, Bobby Hutcherson, Steve Swallow, Charlie Haden, Kenny Wheeler, Sheila Jordan, Mark Isham, Paul McCandless, Jan Garbarek and many others. Lande will be joined by trombonist and Elon Director of Jazz Studies Dr. Alex Heitlinger and drummer Alan Hall. Sponsored by the Department of Music.
Friday, May 2
Open Jam Session
Oak House, 8:30 p.m.
Bring your instrument and play! Hosted by the Elon Jazz Combo.