City Jazz Festival March 20-21, 2025

It happens every Spring!

Celebrating 33 years of Jazz Education & Performance

City Jazz Festival

 

Since its inception in 1991, the City Jazz Festival has grown to an event hosting dozens of student jazz groups from throughout California, performing in three different venues at Fresno City College. The emphasis has always been on education. A panel of jazz educators critiques the students’ performances, and they attend various workshops presented by some of the country's most outstanding professional jazz performers. Scholarships to the Berklee College of Music, FCC, and many summer music camps are awarded to outstanding student performers. The event culminates with a performance by the featured guest artist, accompanied by the FCC Jazz Ensemble. Here are a few facts and figures based on the 33-year history of the festival:

  • Over 900 student jazz groups have participated
  • Over $100,000 in scholarships have been awarded
  • Featured guest artists have included a who’s who of jazz:
    • Saxophonists: Eric Marienthal, Bob Mintzer, Tim Ries, and Hailey Niswanger
    • Trumpeters: Wayne Bergeron, Ingrid Jensen, Gilbert Castellanos, and Bjion Watson
    • Trombonists: Conrad Herwig and Andy Martin
    • Pianists: Rebecca Mauleon and Josh Nelson
    • Guitarists: Anthony Wilson and Mark Whitfield
    • Drummers: Jeff Hamilton and Steve Houghton
    • Vocalists: Tierney Sutton, Gretchen Parlato, Kevin Mahogany, Kristin Korb, Sara Gazarek, and Sunny Wilkinson

City Jazz 2025

This year’s festival will include one day of student jazz performances, clinics and workshops, and an exciting noon concert with our festival artist (TBA)

Thursday, March 20

  • Student performances from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Clinic (time TBA)
  • Noon concert featuring our City Jazz Festival artist

Friday, March 21

  • Student performances/workshops from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Jazz at FCC

City Jazz is part of a strong jazz studies program at Fresno City College, directed by Paul Lucckesi. FCC’s jazz program is the most diverse in central California and has earned a national reputation. Performance groups include the Jazz Ensemble, Latin Jazz Ensemble, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz Combos. Faculty members include Paul Lucckesi, Chris Earley, Adam Elmore, and Barb Shinaver. In addition to the festival, the jazz program at FCC has brought many other performers to perform at work with students. These include the New West Guitar Group, the Langston Hughes Project, guitarists Nguyen Le, Frank Gambale, John Stowell, the University of North Texas 1:00 Lab Band, Benny Golson, and many more.

Contact the Director of Jazz Studies, Paul Lucckesi - paul.lucckesi@fresnocitycollege.edu