The 57th Upsilon Phi Jazz Festival will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 in Baldwin Auditorium. This year’s festival will feature trombonist Alan Ferber.
Our festival features a competition component as well as a 25 minute clinic for each performing group.
Alan Ferber
Alan Ferber is a Grammy Award winning trombonist, composer, and band leader. Some of his recent works include the album Up High, Down Low, where Ferber served as band leader of his nonet, and Jigsaw, with Ferber leading a 17-piece band. His discography has over 150 titles that he has either played trombone on, and/or helped to compose/arrange.Ferber currently serves as the Associate Director of the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop, as well being an Adjunct Professor of Jazz Studies at New York University’s Steinhardt School, and a faculty member at the John J. Cali School of Music.
JazzFest 57 will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 in Baldwin Hall on the Campus of Truman State University.
Since the chapter was founded in 1968, Upsilon Phi has hosted an annual event celebrating jazz at Truman State University. Having been been ranked one of the top collegiate jazz festivals by Down Beat magazine, the Phi Mu Alpha Jazz Festival has become one of the larger events of its kind, attracting high school and middle school bands throughout the Midwest.
Traditionally held the last weekend in February, “JazzFest” brings in nationally renowned artists every year. It includes a day of performances by high school and middle school jazz combos and big bands with a personalized clinic for each group. Our guest artist also presents a clinic and performs with Truman jazz groups on an evening concert.
The list of past guest artists reads like a who’s who of jazz luminaries. Clark Terry, Nick Brignola, John Fedchock, Danilo Pérez, John Faddis, Peter Erskine, Ethan Iverson, and Slide Hampton are just some of the great musicians who have graced JazzFest with their talent and generosity. For a complete listing of past guest artists, click here.
The men of Upsilon Phi take great pride in all the hard work required successfully put on such a large-scale festival every year. Not only does JazzFest support a rich American art form, it also helps educate aspiring young musicians.
Spots are limited, sign up today!
JazzFest Online Application