Student musicians focus of Columbia Jazz Artist Series

• WHAT: Columbia Jazz Artist Series Student Concerts

• WHEN: 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, and 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4

• WHERE: Sonora High School auditorium (Feb. 3); Summerville High School theater (Feb. 4)

• COST: $20, benefits student music programs

• INFO: jazzseries@sbcglobal.net

The Columbia Artist Jazz Series has announced dates for its Jazz Festival for high school students.

The event will include public performances with professional jazz musicians participating in the festival.

A public concert with the guest artists will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at the Sonora High School auditorium. The following Saturday, Feb. 4, a concert with guest artists will be held at the Summerville High School theater beginning at 4 p.m.

Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased at the door or at Mountain Bookshop in The Junction shopping center in East Sonora. Ticket sales at the evening concerts help support the music programs at Sonora and Summerville high schools.

Performers at the Jazz Festival concerts will include vocalist Kenny Washington, pianist Walter Bankocitch, bass player Clint Day, drummer David Hawkes, Paul Contos on saxophone and flute, and trumpetist Mike Rocha. Additionally, trombonist Jamie Dubberly will perform at the Friday night concert in Sonora.

The Jazz Festival brings professional musicians to hold workshops with high school students from the surrounding area. This year, a Vocal Jazz Festival will be included in the event.

The public is invited to visit the daytime activities with the high school students at no charge.

Instrumental students will have sessions on Friday, Feb. 3, at the Summerville High School theater. The schedule:

11:15 a.m. — Golden Valley High School, Mike Vasquez, director

11:40 a.m. — Summerville High School, Jeff Johnson, director

12:05 p.m. — Merced High School, Jon Schmid, director

12:30 p.m. — Golden Valley High School, Mike Vasquez, director

12:55 p.m. — Cordova High School, Kevin Sims, director

1:20 p.m. — Hillview Junior High School, Diane Klaczynski, director

1:45 p.m. — Golden Valley High School, Mike Vasquez, director

2:10 p.m. — Breakout clinics with festival guest artists

3 p.m. — Jam session for all to play together

On Saturday, Feb. 4, the event will continue at Summerville High School with vocal ensembles participating as follows:

11:30 a.m. — Rio Linda High

School, Craig Murray, director

12:20 p.m. — Cabrillo College, Mark Bidelman, director

12:30 p.m. — Folsom High School, Curtis Gaesser, director

1 p.m. — Workshop with Kenny

Washington and Walter Bankovitch

2 p.m. — Skyline Community College, Michelle Hawkins, director

2:30 p.m. — Kingsburg High

School, Richard Mynderup, director

3 p.m. — Summerville High School Jazz, Rod Harris, director

Kenny Washington has thrilled San Francisco audiences with his soulful interpretations, seemingly limitless range, and rapid-fire scatting ever since making his