Spring Jazz Celebration
Three Distinguished Guest Artists Perform Alongside Williamsville Students
by Yijie Han
Embedded Files
Each spring, Williamsville High Schools come alive with the sound of jazz, hosting three major jazz festivals that bring together students, educators, and world-class musicians. This year’s lineup is particularly exciting, featuring three distinguished guest artists, each a leader in their field, offering masterclasses to middle and high school students before performing alongside school jazz bands.
The 2025 guest artists include Michael Dease (North High), John Bacon (South High), and Wycliffe Gordon (East High) — each bringing their expertise, passion, and unique style to inspire the next generation of musicians.
These events wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and hard work of the many music teachers across our schools. Special thanks go to Mr. Michael Conte, Mr. Matthew Cool, Mr. Timothy Buckley and Mr. Thomas McCluskey, along with all the other educators who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Their efforts ensure that students and audiences alike can enjoy these enriching musical experiences. Their commitment to excellence deserves our heartfelt gratitude and recognition.
Mr. Michael Dease
North High Jazz Festival – April 9
North High welcomed renowned trombonist Michael Dease for an exciting day of jazz. A multi-Grammy award winner and Trombonist of the Year (DownBeat Magazine, 69th Annual Poll), Dease has collaborated with top artists like Christian McBride, Alicia Keys, and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. A graduate of The Juilliard School, he is now Professor of Jazz Trombone at Michigan State University, mentoring young musicians across the country.
Dease studied under trombone greats Wycliffe Gordon and Joseph Alessi, refining his craft alongside master musicians. Gordon will be the guest artist for East High’s jazz festival in May.
Check out the Gallery page from WMB's main site for more photos from the concert.
Mr. Michael Dease performing with North High Jazz Ensemble
Mr. John Bacon
South High Jazz Festival – May 1
South High Jazz Festival – May 1
Percussionist and composer Dr. John Bacon will take center stage at the South High Jazz Festival. Bacon teaches percussion and jazz at SUNY Fredonia and the University at Buffalo. He holds a PhD in Music Composition from SUNY Buffalo and a Master's in Percussion Performance from Fredonia.
His compositions have been performed by an array of musicians, such as The Amherst Saxophone Quartet, Leroy Jenkins, and the UB Percussion Ensemble. As a performer, Bacon has worked with Lester Bowie, Roswell Rudd, Bobby Militello, and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, along with jazz collectives like Star People, the Buffalo Jazz Collective, and the Buffalo Jazz Composers Workshop. His latest album, Refractions, is a piano trio recording exploring the music of Thelonious Monk.
A New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship Award recipient, Bacon continues to captivate audiences with his innovative compositions and dynamic performances.
Mr. Wycliffe Gordon
East High Jazz Festival – May 20
East High Jazz Festival – May 20
Williamsville’s final jazz festival will feature Wycliffe Gordon, one of the most celebrated trombonists in jazz. Gordon has been named Trombonist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association an unprecedented 15 times and has received multiple DownBeat Critics Poll awards. His work honors the legacy of jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong, earning him prestigious awards like the Louie Award and the Satchmo Award.
A former member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Gordon tours worldwide as a soloist and bandleader, keeping jazz alive. His compositions range from jazz and chamber music to film soundtracks, with his arrangement of NPR’s "All Things Considered" theme heard daily across the globe. His show Jazz à la Carte was recognized as one of the five best moments in jazz by The Wall Street Journal.
Beyond performing, Gordon is Director of Jazz Studies at Augusta University, shaping future generations of jazz musicians. He has authored instructional books, led masterclasses, and continues to inspire students through his hands-on approach to jazz education.
Don’t Miss This Incredible Celebration of Jazz!
Don’t Miss This Incredible Celebration of Jazz!
Williamsville’s 2025 jazz festivals offer an extraordinary opportunity for students and audiences alike to engage with world-class musicians and experience unforgettable performances.
South High Jazz festival is FREE and open to the public. East High Jazz concert tickets are just $12 — available at the door or online: https://ticketpeak.co/WEHSDRAMA/events.
Williamsville Music Boosters proudly contributed to this year’s Spring Jazz Festivals at all three high schools. We sincerely thank all Booster members for your generous support!
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