Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra is thrilled to present the 2024 WCJO Jazz Fest — the first of its kind in Williamsport, on Friday, March 1, and Saturday, March 2. The festival is hosted by Lycoming College and will be held at the Trachte Music Center.

A full weekend of jazz concerts and events will celebrate the area’s rich musical talent and offer exciting educational opportunities to more than 100 high school students and college students in our region.

“The board of directors of the WCJO is very excited to debut the first, of what we intend to be an annual, WCJO Jazz Fest. We have been considering this for several years — this year felt like the right year to get it started,” says Walt Straiton, vice president of the WCJO board of directors.

A concert on Friday, March 1, features Penn State University’s premier jazz ensemble, Centre Dimensions, directed by PSU Director of Jazz Studies, Dr. Joshua Davis. Prior to Penn State, Dr. Davis had served on the faculty of Susquehanna University, Towson University, Berklee, and the University of Maine. He has taught clinics at a number of institutions including USC and Koyo University, and has performed with Randy Brecker, Peter Erskine, and many others in numerous venues including the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the National Concert Hall in Taiwan. The performance will be at 7:30pm and is free and open to the public.

“It will be an outstanding weekend of music for our region. The availability of PSU’s top-flight Centre Dimensions to join us in our ‘maiden voyage’ (cue Herbie Hancock) is an added bonus,” Straiton says. “Centre Dimensions director, Joshua Davis, is a multi-talented performer and arranger — it’s a pleasure to also welcome him as this year’s guest artist with the WCJO as well. We are indebted to Lycoming College for opening their facilities as a home base for the event,” says Straiton.

A concert on Saturday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m. features Davis as the guest artist with the Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra. The program opens with the All-Star Intercollegiate Jazz Ensemble featuring selected student musicians from Lycoming College, Bucknell University, Mansfield University, and Susquehanna University.

“The growth of jazz programs within major institutions of higher education in our region allows us to create of the first All-Star Intercollegiate Jazz Ensemble in the state,” says Straiton.

The ensemble will be conducted by three of the collegiate directors, Dr. Eddie Severn, Dr. Gail Levinsky and Professor Dale Orris. Tickets are $20 at the door and free to students with ID.

As an extension of the WCJO’s past jazz education opportunities, several area high school jazz bands will convene at the Trachte Music Center on the weekend to participate in free clinics, workshops, and performances. Professional jazz musicians and collegiate educators from the region will provide real-time commentary, feedback, and advice to help each ensemble and student reach their full potential. The WCJO is pleased to have the following educators adjudicate: Dr. Todd Goranson of Messiah University, Dr. Eddie Severn of Mansfield University, Dr. Gail Levinsky of Susquehanna University, and Professor Kevin Henry.

The Williamsport area is rich with jazz musicians, artists, teachers, and performers, and as a vehicle to showcase that talent, the WCJO was founded in 2011.

Members include alumni of the Glenn Miller Big Band, the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the Buddy Rich Band, and many other famous jazz ensembles.

The orchestra plays an exciting variety of big band tunes, from the popular and familiar to obscure and new, and the performances are sure to appeal to all.

In addition to the popular annual Holiday Jazz concert, the WCJO celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month with Spring concerts featuring guest artists and education workshops for area students, and this year presents its inaugural Jazz Fest.

The orchestra also performs several other concerts throughout the year.

For more information, visit the Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra Facebook page or email wmsptcityjazz@gmail.com.