Features Editor

Anyone who likes jazz and will be anywhere around Troy May 4 and 5 will want to include the Southeastern United States Jazz Celebration as part of their entertainment plans.

On Friday and Saturday, May 4 and 5, the Southeastern United States Jazz Celebration will be held as part of a weekend of arts in association with the Jean Lake Arts Festival.

Art lovers from across the Southeast will converge on the Pioneer Museum of Alabama to enjoy the arts and crafts show, live performances and the museum itself.

The Jazz Celebration will get underway at 2:30 p.m. on Friday in the Long Hall on the campus of Troy State University.

"Participants will be invited to take part in a series of clinics featuring professional jazz performers, TSU jazz faculty and featured artist Chris Vadala," said Ray Smith, TSU associate professor of music. "Friday evening, there will be a ‘Concert Jam Session’ in the Claudia Crosby Theater. Friday’s events are free and open to the public and we invite everyone who enjoys jazz to join us."

Saturday’s Jazz Celebration events are part of the Jean Lake Arts Festival, which runs Saturday and Sunday.

"Saturday’s events will open with performances by school jazz ensembles, junior college ensembles and various jazz groups from the Troy State University Department of Jazz Studies," Smith said.

Groups participating in the Jazz Celebration include TSU Jazz Ensemble, Stanhope Elmore Jazz Ensemble, Enterprise State Jazz Combo, TSU Late Afternoon Jazz Ensemble, Charles Henderson Middle School Jazz Band, Bailey Middle School Jazz Ensemble

from Pensacola, Ozark High School Jazz Ensemble, Fort Walton Beach High School Jazz Ensemble and Wallace Community College Jazz Ensemble.

"Our final concert, around 6 p.m. Saturday May 5, will feature Chris Vadala and the TSU Jazz Ensemble," Smith said. "Chris Vadala is one of the country’s foremost woodwind artists. He is in demand as a jazz/classical performer and educator. He has appeared on more than 100 recordings to date, as well as innumerable jingle sessions, film and television scores, performing on all the saxophones, flutes and clarinets. We are honored to have him as our featured guest for the 2001 Southeastern United States Jazz Celebration."

Jazz lovers are encouraged to mark their calendars for May 4 and 5 and plan to be a part of the Southeastern United States Jazz Celebration on the campus of Troy State University and at the amphitheater of the Pioneer Museum of Alabama on Highway 231 north in Troy.