Bethel University’s Third Annual Festival of Jazz and Jim Pickley Memorial Concert will take place Feb. 15, 2025.
Throughout the entire day on February 15, six area high school jazz bands, including Mishawaka, Elkhart, Jimtown, Adams and Penn (Jazz 1 and Jazz 2), will gather to perform, learn and improvise with some of the greatest professionals around!
The event will culminate with an evening concert, at 7 p.m. in the Everest-Rohrer Fine Arts Center Auditorium, which is open to the public. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased online at BethelUniversity.edu/JazzFest or by calling the box office at 574.807.7080.
High school students who aren’t participating with their jazz band are invited to attend the full day’s activities and concert with adult supervision with the purchase of a concert ticket ($5 each, meals on their own).
“We are the only college in the area hosting a one-day, immersive, educational jazz event like this with world-class artists/clinicians,” says Steve Allen, director of Bethel Jazz Ensemble. “We’re excited to help our Michiana high school jazz students and their directors as they continue their journey with Jazz!”
The concert will feature the Bethel University Jazz Ensemble with guest clinicians, Bill Sears, saxophone; Tim Coffman, trombone; Matt Anklan, trumpet; and Bill Cessna, piano.
Local area clinicians include Jim Catalano, drums; Ben Essick, bass; Rafael Chavez, guitar; Maggie Youngblood, voice; and Steve Allen, trumpet and improvisation.
T-shirts, insulated event mugs, and other items will be for sale before and after the event.
This event is made possible by a generous donation from Vicky Garrett, Professor of Music at Bethel University. Corporate sponsors include BandTool, JJ Babbitt, Conn-Selmer Inc., Quinlan & Fabish Music, Genesis Laser Design, X/O Brass and Sweetwater Music.
About the Guest Clinicians
Tim Coffman (trombone) is one of the most active trombonists and teachers in the Chicago area. A graduate of the prestigious Jazz Studies program at Indiana University, Coffman worked closely with famed jazz educator David Baker and the legendary trombone professor Keith Brown. He is in-demand for studio and show work and has performed with Frank Sinatra, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Andy Williams, Natalie Cole, Lou Rawls, The Temptations, The O’Jays, Barry Manilow, Louie Bellson, The Woody Herman Orchestra, Frank Wess, Bassist Ron Carter, Johnny Griffin, Kurt Elling, Von Freeman, Tito Puente, Tom Harrell, Johnny Mathis, Paul Anka, Al Jarreau, Henry Mancini, Stevie Wonder, Diane Schur, Jimmy Heath, Randy Brecker, Benny Golson, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Joe Lovano, Lennie Niehaus, Slide Hampton, Diana Krall, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, Aretha Franklin and many others.
Coffman has served on the music faculty at several universities in the Chicago area, including, North Central College, DePaul University, and Northwestern University.
Coffman is excited to be an XO Brass Artist/Clinician. XO Brass is the professional line of Jupiter Music. He is performing on the new jazz trombone designed by John Fedchock, the model 1632-LT and the model 1634-LT. He also performs on the model 1240-L bass trombone. In addition, Coffman is an artist for Denis Wick mouthpieces and plays those exclusively.
Bill Sears (saxophone) earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Indiana University, where he trained with the renowned jazz composer and performer David Baker and the classical saxophonist Eugene Rousseau. He toured and performed with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Ray Charles, Dizzy Gillespie, Nancy Wilson, and Joe Williams. He also appeared on recordings with top jazz groups from Chicago and Los Angeles. As his jazz career took off, Sears wanted to share his passion for the art form with future generations. “People have to know about it,” Sears told IPR in Studio A. “I love to see the light switches go on in young people when I’m playing a recording from 1935 and they realize, wow, that’s really great music!” When Sears began teaching at the Interlochen Arts Academy in 1987, he built on the early success of the institution’s jazz classes and ensembles to develop a robust curriculum, with coursework on jazz history, improvisation, and fundamentals. He also expanded performance opportunities to include both big band and combo settings. Sears has two CDs under his own leadership, “Chasin’ The Goal” and “With One Accord,” both of which feature not only his engaging and individual saxophone voice, but also several of his compositions. Sears is a Conn-Selmer performing artist and clinician.
Matthew Anklan (trumpet) is a highly sought-after professional trumpeter, showcasing his exceptional talent across lead, classical and jazz genres. His illustrious career includes captivating performances alongside renowned entertainers such as Aretha Franklin, Jason Scheff, The Who, Iron and Wine, Bootsy Collins, and Common. An esteemed Lead Trumpet player for the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, Anklan has shared the stage with jazz luminaries such as Frank Sinatra Jr., Gregory Porter, and Jimmy Heath, and demonstrates his versatility with orchestras like The Cincinnati Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, and more. As a studio artist, Anklan’s trumpet resonates on countless recordings for major TV networks, streaming platforms, radio hits, and educational materials. His musical footprint extends to themes for NPR, The Rose Parade, The World Cup, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Aklan’s expertise shines in Broadway musicals like Aladdin, Sister Act, Shrek, and West Side Story, among others. A protege of the legendary William Adam, Anklan has honed his craft under the guidance of accomplished teachers such as Greg Wing, Scott Belck, Vincent DiMartino, and Brad Goode. Performing on Powell Custom Trumpets, Yamaha Trumpets, and Patrick Mouthpieces, Anklan continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of music through his extraordinary talent and diverse contributions.
Bill Cessna (piano) is a jazz pianist/multi-instrumentalist with a mission to create and present musical experiences that preserve and celebrate Jazz Music and the genius of improvisation. He began his studies for jazz piano on scholarship at Columbia College Chicago in 2009. During his undergraduate time, he had opportunities to study under Peter Saxe, Dennis Luxion, Donald Neale, and Sebastian Huydts. After graduating in 2013, Cessna quickly became an in-demand sideman in Chicago’s vibrant music scene. He has performed regularly with various salsa bands, jazz ensembles, and his own Trio at venues such as The Jazz Showcase, The Green Mill, Andy’s Jazz Club, Pianoforte, Winter’s Jazz Club, Merriman’s Playhouse, Cliff Bells, The Jazz Estate. He has also performed in festivals including The Chicago Jazz Fest, Hyde Park Jazz Festival, South Shore Jazz Fest, New Trier Jazz Fest, and Elmhurst Jazz Fest. Cessna graduated from Western Michigan University in 2022 with a master’s degree in jazz piano. He maintains a busy performance schedule both in the Chicago and Detroit areas, as well as continuing to teach and grow his private piano studio with students of all ages and skill levels. He is also currently performing, composing and leading his own group, the Bill Cessna Trio, which released their first album “Background Music” in 2022. The mission of the group is paying homage to the musicians who inspire them, as well as incorporating original music to present meaningful musical experiences to all audiences. Currently the group is preparing to record their second album “Billy Boy!,” featuring all original compositions, to be released in 2024.
“The best compliment I can receive is when people tell me they do not listen to jazz, but enjoyed hearing or watching us play”.