Fifth Annual Bison Hill Jazz Festival Coming to Campus April 5

April 2, 2018

OBU will host the fifth annual Bison Hill Jazz Festival Thursday, April 5. The festival will culminate in a 7:30 p.m. evening concert featuring flutist and baritone saxophonist Denis DiBlasio. All events are free and open to the public and will be held in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium on OBU’s campus in Shawnee.

DiBlasio is the executive director of the Maynard Ferguson Institute of Jazz at Rowan University. He serves as a saxophonist, composer, arranger and musical director for the institution. DiBlasio is an internationally acclaimed performer, clinician and educator for the Yamaha Music Corporation of America. He is a published author of five texts on jazz improvisation and a recording artist for Encounter Records with nine albums under his own name. In addition to performing the evening concert, DiBlasio will present a mid-day jazz improvisation clinic.

Justin Pierce, assistant professor in instrumental music, organized the event.

“Denis is a gifted jazz educator, inspiring students and audiences through his virtuosity, humor and life experiences as a professional musician. Don’t miss this concert.”

Junior high and high school jazz ensembles from around the region will participate in the daytime festival, including Shawnee, Dale, Midwest City, Tishomingo, Crossings Christian and Choctaw. Bands will be allowed to play for comments only or choose to participate in the competition. The comments from judges will assist bands in preparing for the OSSAA state jazz contest in late April.