MTSU Jazz Artist Series

Currently in its twenty-fifth season, the MTSU Jazz Artist Series brings internationally renowned jazz artists to the region for performances and educational workshops. Past guest artists have included some of the most important jazz musicians and educators in jazz history. Artists have included clarinetist Eddie Daniels, saxophonists Benny Golson, Phil Woods, David Liebman, Eric Alexander, Bob Mintzer and Dick Oatts, and Grammy-award winning artists Slide Hampton, Jim McNeeley, Tim Hagans, Peter Erskine, Rufus Reid, Randy Brecker, Paul Mckee, Donald Brown, and Terell Stafford. Committed to jazz education, we are proud to present this unique concert series to Middle Tennessee.

2026-2027 Jazz Artist Series

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Fall 2026

Jody Nardone, Jazz Pianist, new MTSU Jazz Faculty member!

Thursday, October 22, 2026

7:30 p.m. in Hinton Music Hall,
Wright Music Building on the MTSU campus
Individual general public tickets are $10
MTSU Students, Staff and Faculty FREE
Visit https://mtsusom.ludus.com/200550224 for tickets

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Spring 2027

MTSU Illinois Jacquet Jazz Festival

Saturday, April 3rd, 2027, ALL DAY

The festival honors the legacy of tenor saxophonist/band leader ILLINOIS JACQUET, who rose to prominence in the 1940s with the big bands of Count Basie and Lionel Hampton.  To learn more about the Illinois Jacquet Foundation go to https://illinoisjacquetfoundation.org/. We hope that you and your students will joins us in this celebration of America’s great art form at Middle Tennessee State University.  Best wishes for continuing success in your programs.

All concerts are in Hinton Music Hall of the Wright Music Building on the MTSU campus. Individual tickets are $10. For more information, or to reserve tickets, contact: Jamey Simmons, email james.simmons@mtsu.edu.