Columbia Big Band Jazz Festival

Two concerts will be held this year. The first will be at Sonora High School Auditorium on Friday, February 27 at 6:00 PM and the second is a matinee at the Armory in downtown Sonora on Saturday, February 28 at 3:00 PM. “Every year we pull out all the stops,” Rod Harris, director of the festival, said. “We have several guests artists to perform at the concerts. They will also help with the jazz workshops being held for 400 regional music students scheduled for the weekend.” Guest artists include jazz vocalist Kenny Washington with Walter Bankovitch on piano, Paul Contos on flute and saxophone, Mike Rocha on trumpet, Ken Taylor on trombone, Clint Day on bass, and David Hawkes on drums. The 25 piece Columbia Kicks Big Band will perform with the guest artists. The Friday night concert will open with a performance of the Sonora High School Jazz Ensemble. “We expect sellouts and recommend getting tickets early.” Tickets are now on sale and are $20 in advance available from Mountain Bookshop in the Junction Shopping Center. Tickets at the door sell for $25.