LIBERTY — The Liberty Central School District Music Department will host the 23rd Annual LIBERTY JAZZ FESTIVAL on Saturday, February 4th, in the Liberty Middle School gymnasium (snow date is February 5th).  The festival will feature High School and Middle School jazz ensembles from the Liberty,  Monticello, and Tri-Valley School districts. The students will work with a renowned Jazz artist during the day and all of the groups will collaborate for a concert at 7:00 PM.

This year's clinician is Joseph North. Joe North is an educator and saxophonist in the Hudson Valley who plays all genres of music, from bebop to big band, classical quartets to large saxophone ensembles, funk and electronic music. He prides himself on being a well rounded saxophonist with a passion for all styles of music. He frequently works as a sideman and recently started leading his own group, The True North Jazz Project who performs at a variety of venues across the Hudson Valley.

North has been teaching instrumental music at Poughkeepsie High School for the last 10 years.

North has studied at the State University of New York at Fredonia, earning his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education while studying with saxophonist Wildy Zumwalt. He earned his Masters of Music in Jazz Studies at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, studying with pianist Don Glandon. We are looking forward to having such a fine musician work with our students. 

The clinic will take place from 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM and the concert will begin at 7 PM in the Liberty Middle School Gymnasium.  Admission for the event is $3. For a family of 5 or more the maximum price will be $15. Tickets will be on sale in the gymnasium lobby. 

For more information, please contact me at 845-292-5400 ext. 5116 or eaweh@libertyk12.org. We look forward to seeing you all at this great event!