Rootabaga Jazz Festival

The 2019 Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival, April 2-6, features Xavier Breaker Coalition, Mark Guiliana Space Heroes, the Nikki Malley Quintet, the Knox Alumni Big Band, Faculty and Friends Combo, and the Knox Jazz Ensemble.

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April 2, 2019

Nikki Malley Quintet
United High School, Monmouth IL
7:00pm
Free and open to the public

The Nikki Malley quintet will perform a joint concert with the United High School jazz band and concert band directed by Madeline Wood on Tuesday, April 2nd at 7pm at United High School in Monmouth IL. The concert is part of the Rootabaga Jazz School Tour.  On Tuesday, April 2nd and Wednesday, April 3rd, the Nikki Malley quintet will tour seven area schools performing for elementary, junior high, and high school students.

April 4, 2019

Faculty and Friends Combo
Fat Fish Pub, 158 N. Broad St., Galesburg
7:00pm-11:00pm
Admission: $5, Knox Students free with ID

The Faculty and Friends performance features Knox's accomplished jazz faculty and local jazz musicians from the vibrant live music community of central Illinois.

April 5, 2019

GHS Jazz Band
7:00pm-8:00pm

Knox Alumni Big Band
8:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Xavier Breaker Coalition
9:30-midnight

Fat Fish Pub, 158 N. Broad St., Galesburg
Admission: $10/Knox Students free with ID

Xavier Breaker Coalition

Drummer, composer and arranger, Xavier Breaker returns to Knox leading his own band Coalition.  He has performed at Knox with other bands including CALJE, Stu Mindeman, and Chinchano. Throughout his career he has performed with renowned artists including Joe Sample, Randy Crawford, Lalah Hathaway, Ernie Watts, Joey DeFrancesco, and Bob Mintzer.. He has also played for some of Chicago’s finest including Corey Wilkes, Kahil El Zabar, Dee Alexander, Chicago Jazz Orchestra, and Chicago Yestet. Formed in 2013, The Xavier Breaker Coalition has been featured in many festivals including the Chicago Jazz Festival.  The Coalition released their debut album, "Dreamology," in 2015.

April 6, 2019

Rootabaga Kids: Xavier Breaker Coalition
Galesburg Public Library
10:00am
Free and open to the public

This free family friendly event features the critically acclaimed band based in Chicago, Illinois, Xavier Breaker Coalition. This promises to be a very engaging and entertaining experience for the whole family.

April 6, 2019

Mark Guiliana Space Heroes featuring Chris Morrissey, Jason Rigby, and Shane Endsley
Orpheum Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg St., Galesburg
5:00 p.m.
Free floor & balcony seats • $20 reserved mezzanine

The night opens with the award-winning Knox Jazz Ensemble, followed by Mark Guiliana Space Heroes.

Mark Guiliana has become recognized as one of the world’s leading drummers, admired and in demand across the spectrum from jazz to rock to electronic music for his rhythmic sophistication, creative impulse, and individual sound. He has been in the vanguard of drummers creating a new vernacular on the instrument, blending virtuosity on acoustic drums with artfully deployed electronic beats and processing. NPR says “groove is tantamount, and melody assumes heroic dimensions” on Guiliana’s latest Motema Music release, Jersey. Now, Guiliana is unveiling his latest group, Mark Guiliana SPACE HEROES, featuring the “two horn” front line of saxophonists Jason Rigby and Shane Endsley, and bassist Chris Morrissey.

Guiliana was chosen as Best Jazz Drummer in the Modern Drummer Readers Poll 2017, while DownBeat dubbed him a Rising Star in its Critics Poll. JazzTimes aptly proclaimed: “Guiliana, a technical master with a rare sense of musicality, has over the past decade become one of the most influential drummers of his generation.” Along with leading his own groups – the acoustic Mark Guiliana Jazz Quartet and electronica-minded Beat Music – the drummer has appeared on a string of acclaimed recordings with others. The verve and precision of Guiliana’s drumming was a prime mover of Blackstar, David Bowie’s multiple Grammy Award-winning final album. Guiliana teamed with keyboardist Brad Mehldau as the duo Mehliana for the Nonesuch release Taming the Dragon, and he has also collaborated with such artists as saxophonist Donny McCaslin, guitar hero John Scofield, Soundgarden/Pearl Jam drummer-songwriter Matt Cameron, neo-soul singer-songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello, guitarist-vocalist Lionel Loueke, jazz bassist Avishai Cohen, reggae/hip-hop artist Matisyahu, and jazz singer Gretchen Parlato.