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Friends University Hosts Jazz Fest With Master Classes

Carla Eckels

Area high school, middle school, and junior college jazz bands and jazz vocal ensembles will sharpen their skills this weekend under the direction of musical masters at Friends University.  The 21st Annual Jazz Festival is a two-day event on the Friends University campus in Wichita. An invitational vocal concert will cap off Friday's events and the festival will culminate with the Headliner Concert Saturday night. (The festival's daytime events are no-cost and welcome observers.)

The festival started under the direction of Lisa Hittle, a Stan Kenton Orchestra alumna, saxophone instructor and Friends' Director of Jazz.

The Friends University Jazz Vocal Ensemble practices ahead of the festival performances.

Additional Links:

Dr. Connaitre Miller's award-winning Howard University vocal jazz ensemble, Afro Blue.

Carla Eckels is Director of Organizational Culture at KMUW. She produces and hosts the R&B and gospel show Soulsations and brings stories of race and culture to The Range with the monthly segment In the Mix. Carla was inducted into The Kansas African American Museum's Trailblazers Hall of Fame in 2020 for her work in broadcast/journalism.