Etcetera: Feb. 21, 2019

Jazz festival expects to draw 4,000 students

More than 130 schools have signed up to take part in the 52nd Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Friday and Saturday.

The schools are expected to bring approximately 4,000 students from colleges as well as elementary, middle and high schools from as far away as Minnesota and Canada.

The festival will feature three days of student competitions and workshops taught by U of I faculty and staff, as well as jazz musicians and educators.

This year’s festival features two big bands, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and the New Lionel Hampton Big Band.

The 16-piece Va...