The UNLV School of Music division of jazz studies hosts the Las Vegas Essentially Ellington South West Regional Festival Jan. 31-Feb.1, 2019, in Artemus Ham Concert Hall. Essentially Ellington co-produces noncompetitive, education-focused festivals designed to offer high school jazz bands of all levels the opportunity to perform the music of Duke Ellington and other seminal big band composers and arrangers. Participating bands receive professional feedback from clinicians and other jazz professionals in their own backyard.
The festival is sponsored by Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Jazz Outreach Initiative, UNLV, and Thomas Bridge.
Las Vegas-native Kenny Rampton — acclaimed trumpeter and member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra directed by Wynton Marsalis — has committed to be a clinician for the festival.
Jazz at Lincoln Center artist Vincent Gardner, jazz trombonist, and invited guests are performing at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, with the UNLV Latin Jazz Ensemble, directed by Uli Geissendoerfer. Rampton, legendary jazz drummer Butch Miles and special guests are performing with UNLV Jazz Ensemble I, conducted by Dave Loeb and Nathan Tanouye at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, 2019.
General admission tickets are $10, seniors and military with ID are $8 and available at or by calling 702-895-ARTS (2787). CCSD, UNLV and CSN and participating students are free with ID.
