Jul 17, 2025 12:44 PM
DownBeat’s 73rd Annual Critics Poll: One for the Record Books
You see before you what we believe is the largest and most comprehensive Critics Poll in the history of jazz. DownBeat…
The North Texas Jazz Festival will celebrate its eighth year at a new location.
The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Addison, Texas, will serve as the new location for the three-day invitational featuring more than 50 big bands, combos and vocal jazz groups representing universities, community colleges, high schools and middle schools from across the United States. The event closes with a private performance by David Binney.
Wednesday’s concert includes a private performance from the Two O’Clock Lab Band. The North Texas Jazz Singers and the One O’Clock Lab Band will perform Thursday evening. Student performers selected as “outstanding” will appear on stage, along with saxophonist Binney, who will also perform on Friday night as part of the event’s finale.
Although the evening concerts are exclusive to the festival attendees, the public is invited to participate in several activities throughout the North Texas Jazz Festival. On Thursday, master classes with UNT staff will be held. On April 4, Binney will present a Question and Answer session. Throughout the entire festival, the public is invited to attend any of the school performances. Additionally, noted jazz film collector Hal Miller will be presenting rare jazz films from his personal archive.
More info: ntjazzfest.unt.edu
James Brandon Lewis earned honors for Artist of the Year and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year. Three of his recordings placed in the Albums of the Year category.
Jul 17, 2025 12:44 PM
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