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Jazz Festival

Jazz Festival band playing in the Belle Muse

Annual Jazz Concert

Each year at the end of January, the Music Department presents the annual University of Mary Jazz Festival – bringing hundreds of students from across the region to campus. Over the years, our ensembles have shared the stage with world-renowned guest artists, including Jeff Coffin, Don Ellis, Jon Faddis, Kevin Mahogany, Tom "Bones" Malone, Bob Mintzer, Terrell Stafford, Nestor Torez, Bill Watrous, Kenny Werner, and The New York Voices. Bringing artists to campus allows our student musicians the opportunity to perform alongside and learn from some of the world's best jazz performers and educators.

The University of Mary Jazz Festival was founded in 1974 by Ernie Borr. It has become an honored tradition for the University of Mary Music Department and the Bismarck/Mandan community. We invite the public to attend any of the participating schools' performances.

Annual Jazz Festival: January 30 & 31, 2026

Jazz Fest Concert

Date: January 31, 2026

Time: 7:30 PM

Location: Belle Mehus Auditorium

Cost: $15 - Available for purchase at Eckroth Music or at will call.

Participation Information

Jazz Festival Performing Ensembles

Each ensemble will be scheduled to perform for one half-hour on stage in front of our panel of judges. After performing, the ensemble will move to a separate room for one half-hour educational session with their assigned.

Equipment Provided

Instrument Group

The University of Mary Music Department provides the following equipment: trap set, piano, amps for guitar and bass, vibraphone, chairs, and stands. (larger groups may need to share stands for more than one student)

Vocal Group

The University of Mary Music Department provides the following equipment: 16 plugin mixing boards, piano, cords for mics, trap set, and amps for guitar and bass.

The Jazz Festival Through the Ages

Students at the Belle Mehus Auditorium in Bismarck North Dakota
1970s University of Mary Jazz Festival
1990 University of Mary Jazz Festival
2009 University of Mary Jazz Festival
2012 University of Mary Jazz Festival with Vocal Jazz
2015 University of Mary Jazz Festival
2020 University of Mary Jazz Festival
Vocal Jazz during 2022 Jazz Festival

Have Questions?

Call the Music Department at 701-355-8301 or email us.