Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival

Each year in March, Knox College and the city of Galesburg host the Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival. 'Baga, as it is affectionately known by band members, features performances by big name guest artists such as Kurt Elling, Benny Green, and the Artie Shaw and Woody Herman bands. Members of the Knox faculty, and the Knox Jazz Ensemble, also perform.

In addition to bringing top-notch jazz to Galesburg, the Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival gives Knox musicians the unique opportunity to interact with the guest artists. Visiting musicians typically give lessons and master classes, perform with the big band or combo and hang out with the band after-hours at The Jazz House or local restaurants.

The Rootabaga Jazz Festival represents a unique partnership between Knox College, the Galesburg business community, and area music lovers and arts supporters. Few communities can boast a jazz festival with such rich history and such continued success.

30th Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival April 8-10, 2010 Acclaimed jazz drummer and Knoxville, Illinois-native, Matt Wilson with the Matt Wilson Quartet headlines this year's festival. Wilson will perform Saturday evening at Galesburg's Orpheum Theatre, marking his fourth appearance at Rootabaga. Orquesta Alto Maiz, an 11-piece band that played multiple times at the festival in the 1990s, will perform at McGillacuddy's on Friday evening. The Knox Faculty and Friends Combo opens the festival once again. Always a crowd favorite, this jam session on Thursday brings the area's top jazz performers together on one stage for an evening of incredible music. The Alumni Big Band, directed by former Knox music professor Scott Garlock, will open for Orquesta Alto Maiz on Friday evening. Under festival director Nikki Whittaker Malley's direction, the award-winning Knox Jazz Ensemble opens for Wilson's headliner concert on Saturday. For event and sponsorship info, contact Nikki Whittaker Malley.

Hilario Duran

Jim Rotondi

Mose Allison

Zach Brock

Kurt Elling

History of the 'Baga

The Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festial was initiated by Galesburg community members Mona and Tom Tourlentes at Carl Sandburg College in 1980. It began as the Rootabaga Jazz Festival, named after a series of children's stories by writer Carl Sandburg, who intentionally misspelled 'rutabaga' for the book's title. Scott Garlock, who is now on the music faculty at Ashland University, brought the festival to Knox and downtown Galesburg in 1992 and began inviting high school bands to perform on Saturday afternoon.

Recent featured guest performers: