Performers selected as “outstanding” are invited to appear on stage, along with jazz greats, as a part of the event’s evening concerts.  Wednesday’s concert includes a special private performance from the Two O’Clock Lab Band.  The North Texas Jazz Singers, directed by Paris Rutherford and the One O’Clock Lab Band, directed by Neil Slater will perform Thursday evening. Jazz saxophonist David Binney will perform on Friday night as part of the event’s finale.

While the evening concerts are exclusive to the festival attendees, the public is invited to participate in several activities throughout the North Texas Jazz Festival. On Friday, April 4, David Binney will present a special Q&A session from the Crowne Plaza Hotel from 12:15 – 1:15 pm.  Throughout the entire festival, the public is invited to attend any of the school performances from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Additionally, noted jazz film collector Hal Miller will be presenting rare jazz films from his personal archive and interacting with attendees.

All of these named schools will have the opportunity to be recognized as one of the recipients of the following prestigious awards from the North Texas Jazz Festival: Jack Petersen Award, Gene Hall Award, Leon Breeden Award, Rich Matteson Award, the Floyd 'Fessor Graham Award and this year’s newest honor, the Paris Rutherford Award.

WHAT:  

8th Annual North Texas Jazz Festival in Addison, Texas

WHO:    

Presented by the Town of Addison and the University of North Texas. WHEN:                       

April 2-4, 2008                                    

WHERE:                    

Crowne Plaza Hotel,

14315 Midway Road,

Addison, Texas75001            

TICKETS INFO:        

All daytime events are free and open to the public.  

For additional event information:  www.ntjazzfest.unt.edu or www.addisontexas.net