by Elise Goitia '18

Toes twitched, feet moved, and heads bobbed to a beat. Rootabaga was back.

The Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival, a three-day event that partners Knox College, the Galesburg community, and local artists and musicians, has been a part of the Knox's Department of Music for more than 35 years. The festival boasts performances by the Knox Jazz Ensemble, faculty, alumni, and guest artists.

"I get inspired by it, take something from it, and use it in my own life," said Alexis Bell '18, who is a drummer in the Knox Jazz Ensemble. "I just started learning about jazz last year, so it's great to see professional musicians play."

This year, the event had performances from Matuto, Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band, the Knox Alumni Big Band, Faculty and Friends Combo, and the Knox Jazz Ensemble.

"People who say that they don't like jazz find something they like about it when they come to Rootabaga," added Bell. "People come and pack the house, and they're up on their feet. I love that."

The award-winning Jazz Ensemble, led by Knox Associate Professor of Music Nikki Malley, was the opener for the final Saturday event that was headlined by Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band. Blade, one of the world's leading drummers, has toured in the past with Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Joni Mitchell, and John Scofield.

Corey Heppner '10 played in Rootabaga as a Knox undergraduate for four years, and keeps coming to the event now as an alumnus. He said it's the music and the people that keep drawing him back in.

"I come back for the community," he said. "This is where I learned how to play jazz music. This is my incubator, and I see these musicians as my family. The music is just awesome. That's also why I go back—it's infectious."

Heppner is currently pursuing a master's degree in jazz studies at Portland State University. He is the leader of a jazz trio and a member of the band Neighbors. Heppner says that his experience with Rootabaga and the music he learned at Knox is why he became a jazz musician.

"I want this to go on for years to come, and if that means just being here and supporting the musicians and supporting the existing members of the band, then that's what I'll do," Heppner said.

Knox drumming instructor Jason Brannon said that Rootabaga makes "people come together."

"When I was in high school, I played in a Rootabaga," Brannon said. "We played with Buddy DeFranco, the great jazz clarinetist. This thing has been going on for a long time, and Galesburg's always strong when it comes to the jazz and music scene. I'm glad to be a part of it."