The NAU Jazz Festival is an ABODA sanctioned festival for middle school, high school, and community colleges. The festival is a non-competitive setting, focused on a positive performance and educational experience.
Big bands and combos perform for three adjudicators to receive ratings and comments. Following the performances each group participates in a clinic with one of our esteemed adjudicator/clinicians.
2024 NAU Jazz Festival: February 23-24
2019 Highland Jazz Festival April 5 & 6
2018 Highland Jazz Festival April 13 & 14
2018 NAU Jazz Festival February 23 & 24
NAU- February 23 and 24, 2018
Tuesday-
- Tuesday Performance
- Desert Vista HS Tuesday Big Band- Paul Brewer
- Desert Vista HS Tuesday Big Band- Milas Yoes
- Desert Vista HS Tuesday Big Band- Roxy Coss
Wednesday-
- Wednesday Performance
- Desert Vista High School Wednesday Big Band- Paul Brewer
- Desert Vista High School Wednesday Big Band- Milas Yoes
- Desert Vista High School Wednesday Big Band- Russ Schmidt
Thursday-
- Thursday Performance
- Desert Vista High School Thursday Big Band- Paul Brewer
- Desert Vista High School Thursday Big Band- Milas Yoes
- Desert Vista High School Thursday Big Band- Nick Finze
NAU- February 24&25, 2017
Tuesday
Tuesday BB Performance
Lucas Pino
Roxy Coss
Russ Schmidt
Wednesday
Wed BB Performance
Eric Rasmussen
Raul Yanez
Russ Schmidt
Thursday
Thursday BB Performance
Lucas Pino
Dave Schmidt
Russ Schmidt
Highland Jazz Festival April 8 &9, 2016
Tuesday- Overall Excellent Rating- Average Score 77.8
Performance
Jamey Simmons 67.5- Excellent
Matt Olson 79- Excellent
Tom Wakeling 87- Superior
Thursday- Overall Excellent Rating- Average Score 81
Performance
Jamey Simmons 79- Excellent
Matt Olson 81- Excellent
Tom Wakeling 83- Excellent
Wednesday- Overall Excellent Rating- Average Score 83.3
Performance
Jamey Simmons 64.5- Excellent
Matt Olson 73- Excellent
Tom Wakeling 74- Excellent
NAU- February 26&27, 2016
Tuesday
Nick Manson
Eric Rasmussen
Dom Moio
Wednesday
Dom Moio
Roxy Coss
Nick Manson
Thursday
Dom Moio
Nick Manson
Roxy Coss
Highland: March 27 and 28, 2015
Wednesday Big Band
Final Score - 64.33
| Comments | Name and School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Andy Baker- Univ. of Illinois at Chicago-Scoresheet | 53 | |
| Glenn Kostur- University of Mew Mexico- Scoresheet | 61 | |
| Tom Wakeling- Clackamas Community College- Scoresheet | 79 |
Thursday Big Band
Final Score - 63.66
| Comments | Name and School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Andy Baker- Univ. of Illinois at Chicago- Scoresheet | 46 | |
| Glenn Kostur- University of Mew Mexico- Scoresheet | 75 | |
| Tom Wakeling- Clackamas Community College- Scoresheet | 70 |
Tuesday Big Band
Final Score - 74.33
| Comments | Name and School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Andy Baker- Univ. of Illinois at Chicago- Scoresheet | 72 | |
| Glenn Kostur- University of Mew Mexico- Scoresheet | 74 | |
| Tom Wakeling- Clackamas Community College- Scoresheet | 77 |
NAU Festival: Recorded Comments and Sheets
Tuesday Band: Performance
CD Errors: No Recording available at this time
Raul Yanez- Comment Sheet
Tom Peterson- Comment Sheet
Nick Manson- Comment Sheet
Wednesday Band: Performance
Raul Yanez- Comment Sheet
Tom Peterson- Comment Sheet
David Valdez- Comment Sheet
Thursday Band: Performance
Raul Yanez- Comment Sheet
Tom Peterson- Comment Sheet
David Valdez- Comment Sheet
NAU- February 24&25, 2017
Tuesday
Tuesday BB Performance
Lucas Pino
Roxy Coss
Russ Schmidt
Wednesday
Wed BB Performance
Eric Rasmussen
Raul Yanez
Russ Schmidt
Thursday
Thursday BB Performance
Lucas Pino
Dave Schmidt
Russ Schmidt
Highland Jazz Festival April 8 &9, 2016
Tuesday- Overall Excellent Rating- Average Score 77.8
Performance
Jamey Simmons 67.5- Excellent
Matt Olson 79- Excellent
Tom Wakeling 87- Superior
Thursday- Overall Excellent Rating- Average Score 81
Performance
Jamey Simmons 79- Excellent
Matt Olson 81- Excellent
Tom Wakeling 83- Excellent
Wednesday- Overall Excellent Rating- Average Score 83.3
Performance
Jamey Simmons 64.5- Excellent
Matt Olson 73- Excellent
Tom Wakeling 74- Excellent
NAU- February 26&27, 2016
Tuesday
Nick Manson
Eric Rasmussen
Dom Moio
Wednesday
Dom Moio
Roxy Coss
Nick Manson
Thursday
Dom Moio
Nick Manson
Roxy Coss
Highland: March 27 and 28, 2015
Wednesday Big Band
Final Score - 64.33
| Comments | Name and School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Andy Baker- Univ. of Illinois at Chicago-Scoresheet | 53 | |
| Glenn Kostur- University of Mew Mexico- Scoresheet | 61 | |
| Tom Wakeling- Clackamas Community College- Scoresheet | 79 |
Thursday Big Band
Final Score - 63.66
| Comments | Name and School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Andy Baker- Univ. of Illinois at Chicago- Scoresheet | 46 | |
| Glenn Kostur- University of Mew Mexico- Scoresheet | 75 | |
| Tom Wakeling- Clackamas Community College- Scoresheet | 70 |
Tuesday Big Band
Final Score - 74.33
| Comments | Name and School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Andy Baker- Univ. of Illinois at Chicago- Scoresheet | 72 | |
| Glenn Kostur- University of Mew Mexico- Scoresheet | 74 | |
| Tom Wakeling- Clackamas Community College- Scoresheet | 77 |
NAU Festival: Recorded Comments and Sheets
Tuesday Band: Performance
CD Errors: No Recording available at this time
Raul Yanez- Comment Sheet
Tom Peterson- Comment Sheet
Nick Manson- Comment Sheet
Wednesday Band: Performance
Raul Yanez- Comment Sheet
Tom Peterson- Comment Sheet
David Valdez- Comment Sheet
Thursday Band: Performance
Raul Yanez- Comment Sheet
Tom Peterson- Comment Sheet
David Valdez- Comment Sheet