Faculty and Friends Concert Rootabaga Jazz Festival

Since 1995, the Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival has kicked off the weekend early with the Knox Faculty and Friends Combo Jam Session. This collection of musicians represents the vibrant live jazz scene in central Illinois, showcasing the world-class talents of Knox jazz instructors and professional jazz performers from the Quad Cities, Galesburg, Peoria, and many points between. It is a rare pleasure to bring so many area performers together on one stage for this annual event, and the group never fails to inspire audiences, reminding us of the rich musical culture we have right here in our hometowns. Featuring: Semenya McCord, Manuel Lopez III, Justin Haynes, Scott Anderson, Whitney Ashe, Mason Boore, Todd Kelly, Steve Jackson, Edgar Crockett, Larry Harms, Jim Curless, Nikki Malley, Jason Brannon, Andy Crawford, and more!

All ages are welcome. There is a full bar and you can bring food from any of our fantastic local restaurants, some within walking distance. (No outside beverages are allowed.)

The Galesburg Community Arts Center is located at 349 E Main Street (the northwest corner of Main and Seminary Street. Look for the open sign.)

For over four decades, the Knox Rootabaga Jazz Festival, or “‘Baga” as it’s known to fans, has been a true celebration and affirmation of the unique spirit of the Galesburg community— a “small’’ community that has achieved the rare accomplishment of sustaining and growing an annual jazz festival of national renown. The festival reflects a unique collaboration between schools, businesses, and the Galesburg community. The greatest jazz artists from around the world have graced the stages of Rootabaga. Schedule, tickets and donation information is available at www.knox.edu/jazzyear. The Knox Jazz Year acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

Complete Schedule

Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival

May 14-18, 2024

Galesburg IL

Tuesday, May 14

Victor Garcia Quartet

United High School

7:00pm

Free and open to the public

As part of the Rootabaga Jazz School tour, the Victor Garcia Quartet will perform a joint concert with the United High School bands.

Wednesday, May 15

Galesburg Junior High Big Band

Canton High School Big Band

ROWVA High School Big Band

Cherry St Combo with guest Victor Garcia

Galesburg Community Arts Center

6:00pm-10:00pm

Admission: $3

Thursday, May 16

Faculty & Friends Combo

Galesburg Community Arts Center

7:00pm-10:00pm

Admission: $5

The Faculty and Friends performance features Knox’s accomplished jazz faculty and local jazz musicians from the vibrant live music community of central Illinois.

Friday, May 17

6pm Galesburg HS Big Bands

7:30pm Knox Alumni Big Band

8:30pm Victor Garcia Latin Sextet

Galesburg Community Arts Center

6:00pm-11:00pm

Admission: $10

Saturday, May 18

Rootabaga Kids 

Victor Garcia Latin Sextet

Galesburg Public Library

10:00am

Free and open to the public

This free, family-friendly event promises to be a very engaging and entertaining experience for the whole family

Saturday, May 18

The Victor Garcia Organ Quintet with vocalist Jill Katona

The Knox Jazz Ensemble

Rootabaga Jazz All-stars

Orpheum Theatre, 6:30 p.m.

Pay what you wish! Tickets available at galesburgorpheum.org/events

GRAMMY-NOMINATED VICTOR GARCIA IS A MUSICAL FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH…

Examiner.com’s Neil Tesser calls him “one of the most exciting young musicians.” Chicago Tribune’s Howard Reich says that he “stands out as an ebullient soloist offering a formidable technique and a radiantly polished tone.” JazzChicago.net’s Brad Walseth regards him as a “young lion trumpeter.”

He’s as versatile as he is creative. His trumpet talent heralds his international acclaim. He sings, plays percussion, and his songwriting, arrangements and charts have led him to professorial positions at Roosevelt University, Loyola  University and the University of Illinois in Chicago.

The lineup of greats he’s performed with speaks for itself: Aretha Franklin, Arturo Sandoval, Spoon, Monty Alexander, Wynton Marsalis, Victor Manuelle, Nicholas Payton, La India, the Temptations, Steve Turre, BeBe Winans, Tito Puente, Jr., Paquito d’Rivera, Christian McBride, Randy Brecker, Branford Marsalis, The Isley Brothers, and Dr. John. He released his debut album, The Grind/The Groove, in 2018 and he’s recorded on dozens of other albums, three of them Grammy-nominated.