The Knox Jazz Year has been named a recipient of the “Turnout” grant from the Galesburg Community Foundation, recognizing its growing impact on the local arts scene ahead of the beginning of Jazz Year events. 

This year, the Foundation distributed over $514,000 in grants to regional nonprofits—a record-breaking amount. Knox Jazz Year's portion of the grant will support a series of educational and community-focused jazz events, further strengthening the connection between Knox College and Galesburg.

Andy Crawford, managing director of Knox College's music performance program, shared his pride in the continued partnership between the College and the Galesburg community. Crawford is thrilled to share that this year’s Knox Jazz Year lineup is set, with many exciting acts coming to Galesburg.

Fall Jazz Series

The Fall Jazz Series kicks off the Knox Jazz Year with three performances, showcasing some of the most exciting jazz talents from Chicago to New York City. These events, hosted at the Galesburg Community Arts Center, feature informal workshops where the artists engage directly with attendees—ranging from students to community members—before performing alongside Knox’s Cherry Street Combo.

• Thursday, October 3: Chicago-based band Twin Talk
• Thursday, October 24: NYC-based drummer Matt Wilson
• Thursday, October 31: Chicago-based vocalist Alyssa Allgood

Workshops begin at 6 p.m., followed by performances from 7-10 p.m.

Jerome Mirza Jazz Residency: Camille Thurman & the Darrell Green Quartet

January 20-24, 2025

The Jerome Mirza Jazz Residency continues to bring renowned jazz artists to Knox College, and for the first time, a vocalist will headline the event. 

Saxophonist and singer Camille Thurman and the Darrell Green Quartet will spend a week on campus, engaging with students, jazz practitioners, and the local community through workshops and collaborative performances. The residency culminates in a free public concert at the Orpheum Theatre, open to all.

This residency is supported by the Jerome Mirza Foundation, established in honor of the late attorney and jazz lover Jerome Mirza. His daughter, Candace Mirza, a 1981 Knox graduate, continues to uphold her father’s legacy by supporting programs that educate and inspire through jazz.

Rootabaga Jazz Festival

May 6-10, 2025

The Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival returns, featuring headline artist DC & the Love, led by bassist Dennis Carroll. This year, vocalist Mar Vilaseca will be the first singer to lead the festival’s school tour early in the week, introducing students to the power of vocal jazz.

Later in the week, festival highlights include:

• Friday, May 9: Chinchano, Juan Pastor's modern instrumental jazz group, joins the Galesburg High School band and Alumni Big Band for an evening of electrifying jazz at the Galesburg Community Art Center.
• Saturday, May 10: The festival culminates at the Orpheum Theatre with Mar Vilaseca performing alongside the Knox Jazz Ensemble, followed by headline act DC & the Love.

Crawford shared his excitement about DC & the Love after seeing the group live at the Chicago Jazz Festival this year. "He’s played with so many greats and knows when to push the right buttons. He took me on a musical journey I hadn’t experienced in a long time, and I knew he was the right fit for Rootabaga this year,” he added.

Knox Jazz Year events promise an exceptional lineup of artists, performances, and community engagement. For more information, head to our Knox Jazz Year resource page.