UW-Parkside Jazz Week: March 16-20, 2026

Kenosha, Wis. – The Music Department at UW-Parkside is excited to present its annual Jazz Week from March 16-20, 2026. Featuring six concerts over five nights, the event welcomes internationally renowned, world-class artists to the Bedford Concert Hall for a week of performances spanning styles from avant-garde to straight-ahead jazz.

The week kicks off on Monday, March 16 at 7 p.m. with the Damon Locks & Ken Vandermark Project. This duo, born from Chicago's Hyde Park Jazz Festival, blends pre-recorded materials, electronics, and reed instruments to create a unique landscape of spontaneous interaction. Locks is a celebrated Chicago-based visual artist and vocalist, while Vandermark is a MacArthur Fellow recognized globally for his work as an improvising musician and composer.

On Tuesday, March 17 at 7 p.m., pianist and composer Jen Allen presents her project, The Heart of Alchemy. Allen will perform music from her latest album, Possibilities, exploring melodic richness and the power of openness. She will be joined by Leala Cyr on vocals, Clark Sommers on bass, and Hannah Johnson on drums.

The third night, Wednesday, March 18 at 7 p.m., features trumpeter Derrick Gardner and the Jazz Prophets. Inspired by the hard-blowing funky bop bands of the 1960s, Gardner has performed internationally with legends like the Count Basie Orchestra and Harry Connick Jr. His performance will highlight the soulful, driving sound for which he and his group, The Jazz Prophets, are widely acclaimed.
On Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m., the Tom Garling Jazz Orchestra takes the stage. Garling, a renowned trombonist and composer, has assembled some of the greatest jazz talent in the Chicago area for this 17-piece ensemble. The orchestra features a powerhouse lineup, including UWP’s own Russ Johnson on trumpet and Clark Sommers on bass.

The final day, Friday, March 20, begins with a free noon concert featuring the Parkside Jazz Faculty, including Russ Johnson, James Sodke, Tim Ipsen, David Bayles, and Dustin Laurenzi. The week concludes at 7 p.m. with a showcase featuring the UW-Parkside Jazz Ensembles alongside special guest ensembles from Bradford, Indian Trail, Tremper, and Oak Creek High Schools.

Ticketing Information: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday noon concerts are free and open to the public. The Thursday evening and Friday evening concerts are ticketed at $10 for general admission and $5 for students and UWP faculty/staff. 

Purchase tickets or contact the Rita Box Office at 262-595-2564.
 

About UW-Parkside

Since its founding in 1968, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside has been a trusted partner for the region’s higher educational needs, empowering students to thrive, advancing applied knowledge, and developing talent for the future. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as certificates and pre-professional programs, designed to foster personal and professional growth through real-world and impactful learning experiences. Located in the dynamic Chicago-Milwaukee corridor, UW-Parkside offers unmatched access to world-class internships, professional networks, and endless career-building opportunities, placing students at the center of it all.

Media Contact:
Communications Manager
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
marcomm@uwp.edu