Student musicians in 11 different high school jazz bands from across the state will gather for an extraordinary performance on April 18 at the ABAC Jazz Festival on the campus of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Each of the jazz bands will perform in free mini-concerts beginning at 10 a.m. and continuing until 3:45 p.m.  Members of the community are invited to attend at no charge.

Jazz bands will represent Tift County, Colquitt County, Americus-Sumter, Lanier County, Thomas County Central, Valdosta, Lee County, Berrien County, Thomasville, Riverdale, and Hampton. The ABAC Jazz Choir will also perform at noon.

Tift County opens the day at 10 a.m. followed by Colquitt County at 10:30 a.m., Americus-Sumter at 11 a.m., Lanier County at 11:30 a.m., the ABAC Jazz Choir at noon, Thomas County Central at 12:30 p.m., Valdosta at 1 p.m., Lee County at 1:30 p.m., Berrien at 2 p.m., Thomasville at 2:30 p.m., Riverdale at 3 p.m., and Hampton at 3:30 p.m.

 Sponsored by the Department of Fine Arts and the ABAC Arts Connection, the Jazz Festival promotes jazz and jazz education in South Georgia.  The jazz bands will perform in The Meadows in the center of the ABAC campus. 

Visitors can bring their own lunch or just come and listen to the music. In the event of rain, the Jazz Festival will take place in Howard Auditorium.  A jazz clinic for the high school students with renowned trumpeter and vocalist Byron Stripling will be held at 4 p.m. in Howard Auditorium following the performances.