Events Calendar

Rootabaga Jazz Festival: GHS Jazz Bands, Knox Alumni Big Band, Juan Pastor’s Chinchano

May 09 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Galesburg Community Arts Center

$10/Free for Knox Students

This event is open to the public.

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Peruvian percussionist Juan Pastor brings his energetic Latin quartet Chinchano to the Galesburg Community Arts Center to headline the Friday night of the Rootabaga Jazz Festival.  

 

6pm
Galesburg HS Silver and Gold Jazz Bands

Dena Baity & Matt Welch, Directors

 

7pm & 9pm 

Juan Pastor’s Chinchano

 Stu Mindeman – Keyboard

 Dustin Laurenzi – Tenor Saxophone

 Matt Ulery – Bass

 Juan Pastor – Cajón, Drumset

 

8pm 
Knox Alumni Big Band

Justin Haynes – Director

 

Representing Knox jazz alumni from the last 30 years, the alumni big band is a celebration of the jazz community at Knox. Returning players assemble for a brief rehearsal on Friday afternoon, and though most ensemble members have not played together since last year’s festival, the camaraderie, enthusiasm, and talent of the jazz alumni never fail to produce a high-energy, raucous performance. Knox Jazz Ensemble director and Knox alumnus Justin Haynes directs this year’s ensemble. 

 

 

All ages are welcome. There is a full bar and you can bring food from any of our fantastic local restaurants, some within walking distance. (No outside beverages are allowed.)

The Galesburg Community Arts Center is located at 349 E Main Street (the northwest corner of Main and Seminary Street. Look for the open sign.)

 

For over four decades,the Knox Rootabaga Jazz Festival, or “‘Baga” as it’s known to fans, has been a true celebration and affirmation of the unique spirit of the Galesburg community— a “small'' community that has achieved the rare accomplishment of sustaining and growing an annual jazz festival of national renown. The festival reflects a unique collaboration between schools, businesses, and the Galesburg community. The greatest jazz artists from around the world have graced the stages of Rootabaga.   Schedule, tickets and donation information is available at 

www.knox.edu/jazzyear.

Complete Schedule

Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival

May 6-10, 2025

Galesburg IL

www.knox.edu/jazzyear

 

May 6, 2025

The Mar Vilaseca Quartet School Tour group

United HS

7:00p.m.

Free and open to the public

 

The Mar Vilaseca Quartet featuring Derel Monteith, Jason Brannon and Andy Crawford will perform a concert as part of the Rootabaga Jazz School Tour. On Tuesday, May 6th and Wednesday, May 7th, the group will tour six area schools performing for elementary, junior high, and high school students.

 

May 7, 2025

Galesburg Junior High Big Band

Canton High School Big Band

ROWVA High School Big Band

Jammers Big Band

Cherry St Combo with guest Mar Vilaseca

Galesburg Community Arts Center 

6:00p.m.-10:00p.m.

Admission: $3, Knox Students free with ID

Tickets will be purchased at the door

 

May 8, 2025

Faculty and Friends Combo with guest Mar Vilaseca

Galesburg Community Arts Center 

7:00p.m.-10:00p.m.

Admission: $5, Knox Students free with ID

Tickets will be purchased at the door

 

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

 

May 9, 2025

Galesburg High School Big Bands

6:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.

 

Juan Pastor's Chinchano

2 sets 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Knox Alumni Big Band 

8 p.m.- 9 p.m.

 

Galesburg Community Arts Center

Admission: $10/Knox Students free with ID

Tickets will be purchased at the door

 

May 10, 2025

Rootabaga Kids: Juan Pastor's Chinchano

Galesburg Public Library

10:00a.m.

Free and open to the public

This free family friendly event promises to be a very engaging and entertaining experience for the whole family.

 

May 10, 2025

DC & the Love featuring Greg Ward and Mar Vilaseca

and the Knox Jazz Ensemble 

Orpheum Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg St., Galesburg

7 p.m.

Free Admission to all thanks to the generosity of NAEIR.