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World-Class Artists Perform at 51st Annual University of Mary Jazz Festival

Jazz Festival 2023

Public invited to concert Saturday, January 27, tickets available online or in person at Eckroth Music

BISMARCK, ND — The premier jazz event in the Upper Midwest returns for its 51st year entertaining connoisseurs of feel-good, toe-tapping music, and those who just want to have a really good time. The annual Jazz Festival not only allows the public in area communities to hear great music, but it’s also a time for University of Mary music students and visiting high school students to learn from the industry’s best.  

“The thing that always excites me most about the jazz festival concerts is our students getting to interact with world-class musicians and performers,” said alumnus Brian Lydeen (’94), the eighth director of Jazz Studies at Mary and in charge of the festival. “They learn so much from working with these artists. I also love the fact that we are bringing such great quality jazz to an area that doesn't get a lot of artists of this caliber coming through on regular tour stops. This is the one jazz event every year that people from the community count on to hear fabulous performers and music. It's the premier jazz event in the upper Midwest.” 

The public concert starts at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, January 27 at the Belle Mehus Auditorium in downtown Bismarck. Tickets are general admission and can be purchased for $15 online through the Jazz Festival website at  www.umary.edu/jazz, at the door, or in person with cash or check only at Eckroth Music.

Accompanying University of Mary’s featured musical groups, the Jazz Combo, Vocal Jazz, and Jazz Ensemble, are renowned musicians and entertainers Aimee Nolte, Dr. Scott Agster, Adam Meckler, local legend Robert “Bubba” Peske, Greg Yasinitsky, and Kirk Marcy. 

“These musicians have an eclectic background,” added Lydeen. “They have played with some of the biggest names out there in the field of contemporary jazz. Adam and Scott worked together for many years in the Twin-Cities, and Aimee is a growing presence from the Los Angeles area. Her YouTube channel is innovative and, in many ways, the new classroom of the 21st century. Greg Yasinitsky is a veteran jazz saxophonist, educator, composer, and arranger. Every director that's stepped in front of a jazz ensemble has probably played one of his charts. Guitarist Bob Peske is a local legend and veteran teacher and performer. He was featured at the festival twice during the early days in the 1980s and accompanied the University of Mary Jazz Ensemble on one of their trips to the coveted Montreux Jazz Festival back in the 90s.” 

The University of Mary Jazz Festival is a two-day event and one of the largest in the region that also includes nearly 50 high school instrumental and vocal jazz groups participating in music adjudication on Mary’s campus. Approximately 800 high school students from Bismarck-Mandan and across North Dakota also vie for awards and scholarships as they are judged on their individual and ensemble performances and receive 30-minute master classes by these world-renowned guest artists. 

Vocal Jazz Personnel:

  • Emma Nagel, Bismarck, ND
  • Madison Marcus, Bismarck, ND
  • Gabi Schafer, Independence, MN
  • Rebekah Libby, Livermore, CA
  • Lauren Stanley, Olathe, KS
  • Jase Kleser, Bismarck, ND
  • Matthew Mendiola, Dassel, MN
  • Shea Lee, Bismarck, ND
  • Noah Fettig, Bismarck, ND

UMary Jazz Combo Personnel:

  • Brady Saylor, Bismarck, ND 
  • Kalen Hill, Minot, ND
  • Noah Fettig, Bismarck, ND
  • Nicholas Amoranto, Oceanside, CA
  • Edmund Peliska, Bismarck, ND

UMary Jazz Ensemble Personnel:

Saxes

  • Calista Rennich, Bismarck, ND
  • Hattie Mullenbach, Corona, SD
  • Mya Tena, Bismarck, ND
  • Damien Hartze, Bismarck, ND
  • Meghan Schneider, Billings, MT
  • Lily Effertz, Velva, ND

Trumpets

  • Brady Saylor, Bismarck, ND
  • Stephen Talbot, Carols Stream, IL
  • John Mendiola, Dassel, MN
  • Matthew Mendiola, Dassel, MN

Bones

  • Landyn Meidinger, Mandan, ND
  • Logan Quinn, Wilton, ND
  • Zachary King, Glendale Heights, IL
  • DeAnte Kehr, Bismarck, ND

Rhythm

  • Kalen Jill, Minot, ND
  • Noah Fettig, Bismarck, ND
  • John Colton, Bella Vista, AR
  • Aidan Kittilstved, Spokane, WA
  • Nick Amoranto, Oceanside, CA
  • Edmund Peliska, Bismarck, ND

—UMARY—

Anyone who wishes to learn more about the University of Mary can do so at www.umary.edu or by contacting an admissions representative at enroll@umary.edu, or by calling (701) 355-8030. The University of Mary is one of only 15 Recommended Cardinal Newman Society Residential Colleges and Universities in the US. 

About the University of Mary: True to its motto “lumen vitae”—The Light of Life—the University of Mary offers education for the whole of life through cutting-edge professional programs and graduate programs animated by moral courage and leadership in chosen professions and service to the community. A private, co-educational Catholic institution, the University of Mary welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds.

A Christian, Catholic, Benedictine institution founded in 1959 by the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, Mary offers nearly 60 bachelor’s, 18 master’s, and five doctoral programs—in Business Administration, Education, Nursing Practice, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy. The 20-sport Athletic Department adheres to its Greatness Through Virtue mission under the governance of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), and the USA College Clay Target League. With more than 3,800 students, Mary has locations in North Dakota, Montana, Arizona, Rome, Italy, as well as vibrant online offerings. 

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