During the month of February, the UW-River Falls Music Department will host a series of events

During the month of February, the UW-River Falls Music Department will host a series of events.

To begin, is the UWRF Jazz Festival. It goes from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22.  The Jazz Festival features performances by outstanding regional high school and middle school jazz ensembles.

The Jazz Festival is a non-competitive event, and provides learning experiences for students of all levels with professional jazz clinicians and knowledgeable music educators.

In addition, the UWRF RADD Jazz Series is proud to present Mike Stern in concert with the UWRF Jazz Ensemble. In a career that spans three decades and a discography that includes more than a dozen eclectic and innovative recordings, six-time Grammy nominee, Stern has established himself as one of the premier jazz and jazz-fusion guitarists and composers of his generation.

Stern has performed and recorded with legendary jazz and jazz-fusion artists including Miles Davis, Jaco Pastorius, Michael Brecker, David Sanborn, Bob Berg, Kenny Garret, Bela Fleck, Billy Cobham, Yellowjackets, and Blood Sweat and Tears.

As a leader, Stern has recorded several successful studio and live albums and DVDs since his debut in 1985.

In addition, guest clinicians include Greg Keel (MacPhail Center for Music), David Singley (Carleton College), Chris Olson (McNally Smith College of Music) and Phil Holm (Minnesota youth Jazz Bands). UWRF music faculty Craig Hara, Eric Graham, Thomas Barnett, and David Milne will also be featured in clinics and performances.

The Jazz Festival will feature a concert for all participants by the UWRF Jazz Ensemble, featuring jazz guitarist Mike Stern, at 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22, in Abbott Concert Hall at the Kleinpell Fine Arts Building.

The UWRF RADD Jazz Series will also present the UWRF Jazz Ensemble featuring Mike Stern at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23, in Abbott Concert Hall in KFA.