April 21, 2025
Nearly 40 high school and middle school jazz bands from Missouri and Illinois gathered at UMSL for the Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival. Under new leadership from Matthew Henry, this year’s event featured performances at the Touhill Performing Arts Center, masterclasses with UMSL faculty, and a new musical twist with Latin and Afro-Cuban compositions. Food trucks and expanded campus access aimed to enhance the student experience.
Friday night’s “A Night of Soul Jazz” featured top artists like Jacob Melsha and Michele Fernández. Students enjoyed professional instruction, performing in a major venue, and exploring St. Louis. For many, like saxophonist Ace Farley, the experience was both musically inspiring and personally meaningful.
