The UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival set to go virtual this year. Here’s how you can get tickets to stream the event.
By Kelly Ragan
The UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival will go virtual in 2021. Yes, this is different from the Jazz Festival Greeley knows and loves, but you can still enjoy the music April 22-23.
The festival is known for bringing together internationally recognized artists, jazz lovers, award-winning clinicians, not to mention hundreds of college, high school and middle school bands, combos, and jazz vocal groups from across the country. It typically brings in more than 7,500 participants to main stage concerts, includes after-hours sessions, non-competitive daytime performances and educational workshops.
About the artists
Ingrid Jensen was born in Vancouver and raised in Naniamo, British Columbia, according to UNC Jazz Fest. She graduated from Berklee College of Music in 1989 before she went on to record three highly acclaimed CDs for ENJA record label. She’s a featured soloist on the Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra’s Juno-award-winning album, Treelines (2011) and its successor, Habitat (2013). She’s performed with jazz musicians ranging from Clark Terry to Esperanza Spalding. She even performed alongside British R&B artists Corrine Bailey Rae on Saturday Night Live and recorded with Sarah McLachlan. Jensen also leads her own quintet, quartet and organ trio.
Delfeayo Marsalis is, according to UNC, one of the top trombonists, composers and producers in jazz today. In January 2011, he earned the nation’s highest jazz honor, a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award. He’s released six CDs, many of which have received rave reviews, according to UNC.
Wayne Bergeron got his start on the French horn before he switched to playing trumpet in the seventh grade. Now, he credits his teachers with molding his talent, according to UNC. Bergeron has worked on more than 400 TV and motion picture soundtracks, including Minions 2:The Rise of Gru, Soul, Ford vs. Ferrari, Toy Story 4, Frozen 2, Despicable Me 1,2 and 3, and more.
Miguel Zenon is known for blending innovation and tradition and is widely considered one of the most groundbreaking and influential saxophonists of his generation, according to UNC. He’s been featured in publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times and more.
To learn more about these artists and their backgrounds, go to https://www.uncjazzfest.com/about/artists/.
So, how will the virtual thing work this year?
Spectator passes are available for streaming at tiered pricing.
Individuals (one device): $25
School groups (10 devices): $100
Seniors (one device): $15
The spectator passes will give folks access to:
Access to An Electronic Wonderland, featuring Ingrid Jensen and the UNC Lab Band 1. Combining electronica and big band, characters will explore the imagery of Lewis Caroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Access to The Global Jazz Celebration live stream concerts, featuring Delfeayo Marsalis, Wayne Bergeron, Miguel Zenon and the Jazz Festival All-Star Big Band.
Access to interactive virtual workshops, including hour-long workshops and master classes presented by headlining concert artists and clinicians on jazz, including improvisation, solo jazz singing, arranging, jazz pedagogy, music business, rehearsal techniques and more.
Access to live virtual Q&A with headline artists. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about your favorite artists.
Access to virtual Concert Talk Backs, where you can join fellow jazz enthusiasts and mainstage artists in a discussion reflecting on the performance. These will take place immediately after the performances in a private Zoom session.
To learn more
To learn more or to buy tickets, go to https://www.uncjazzfest.com/
You can also call (970) 351-4849.