24th Annual 18th & Vine Student Jazz Festival
April 15–17, 2026 Gem Theatre Kansas City, MO
View SchedulePerformance Schedule
JAZZ Spoken Here
A tribute to Miles Davis and John Coltrane
Jazz Museum Atrium
Sponsored by Jamey Aebersold, with assistance from Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors
Horacescope
Jazz Museum Atrium
Sponsored by Jamey Aebersold, with assistance from Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors
James Ward Band
Jazz Museum Atrium
Sponsored by Jamey Aebersold, with assistance from Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors
Following their performance, students will participate in a 25-minute clinic in a room that cannot accommodate an audience.
Clinicians & Adjudicators
Chris Burnett
Saxophone
Founder of Kansas City Area Youth Jazz, composer, arranger, clinician, Conn-Selmer artist
Brad Gregory
Saxophone
Leader of the Brad Gregory Sextet, composer, arranger, member of KC Jazz Orchestra
Bob Harvey
Trumpet
Educator, performer, clinician, member of KC Jazz Orchestra
Todd Hastings
Trumpet
Professor of Trumpet at Pittsburg State University, clinician, founder of the Midwest Trumpet Festival
Brant Jester
Piano
Composer, arranger, educator
Stan Kessler
Trumpet
Founding member of Sons of Brazil, clinician, educator, arranger
Marcus Lewis
Trombone
Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at UMKC Conservatory, composer, arranger, band leader, artistic director of Future Jazz, B.A.C.-endorsed artist
Jim Lower
Percussion
Clinician, artist, leader of the Jim Lower Jazz Orchestra, educator
Stephen Mathews
Saxophone & Piano
Director of Instrumental Studies at Southwest Baptist University, clinician
Dr. Louis Neal
Trombone
Artist, educator, leader of the Louis Neal Big Band
Dr. Dan Thomas
Saxophone
Chair of Music Programs and Director of Jazz Studies at Ottawa University, composer, arranger, Yamaha-endorsed artist
Kenny Watson
Percussion
Artist, composer, leader of DaNoyze — a fusion funk band
Following their performance, students will participate in a 25-minute clinic in a room that cannot accommodate an audience.
Venue & Getting There
The Historic 18th & Vine District
Home to the American Jazz Museum and the legendary Blue Room jazz club, the 18th & Vine Jazz District is the birthplace of Kansas City jazz. This National Historic Landmark District has been the heart of KC's African American cultural community since the 1920s, when jazz legends like Charlie Parker and Count Basie forged the sound that put Kansas City on the musical map.
About the Festival
For 24 years, the 18th & Vine Student Jazz Festival has brought middle school and high school jazz ensembles to the historic Gem Theatre in the heart of Kansas City's jazz district. A partnership between Metropolitan Community College – Penn Valley and the American Jazz Museum, the festival celebrates student musicianship with performances, professional clinics, and free noon concerts open to the public.
Each participating ensemble performs on the Gem Theatre stage and then works with one of our twelve professional clinicians in a private 25-minute workshop — an experience that connects the next generation of jazz musicians with Kansas City's living jazz tradition.
Clarence Smith
Festival Director
Kansas City-based professional musician and music educator. Coordinator/instructor of music at MCC-Penn Valley, with expertise in jazz education, percussion, and music appreciation. An active participant in the Kansas City music scene performing jazz, classical, musical theatre, and R&B.