Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival

May 6-10, 2025 The Rootabaga Jazz Festival features DC and the Love, Juan Pastor's Chinchano and Mar Vilaseca, along with the Knox Jazz Ensemble, the Cherry St Combo, the Knox Alumni Big Band, the Faculty and Friends Combo, and area junior high and high school big bands.

For over four decades, the Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival, or "'Baga" as it's known to fans, has been a true celebration and affirmation of the unique spirit of the Galesburg community- a "small'' community that has achieved the rare accomplishment of sustaining and growing an annual jazz festival of national renown. The festival reflects a unique collaboration between schools, businesses, and the Galesburg community. The greatest jazz artists from around the world have graced the stages of Rootabaga. Information and donation information is available at www.knox.edu/jazzyear.

Complete Schedule
Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival
May 6-10, 2025
Galesburg IL
www.knox.edu/jazzyear

May 6, 2025
The Mar Vilaseca Quartet School Tour group
United HS
1905 100th St, Monmouth, IL 61462
7:00p.m.
Free and open to the public

The Mar Vilaseca Quartet featuring Derel Monteith, Jason Brannon and Andy Crawford will perform a concert as part of the Rootabaga Jazz School Tour. On Tuesday, May 6th and Wednesday, May 7th, the group will tour six area schools performing for elementary, junior high, and high school students.

May 7, 2025
Galesburg Junior High Big Band
Canton High School Big Band
ROWVA High School Big Band
Jammers Big Band
Cherry St Combo with guest Mar Vilaseca
Galesburg Community Arts Center
349 E Main St, Galesburg, IL 61401
6:00p.m.-10:00p.m.
Admission: $3
Tickets will be purchased at the door

May 8, 2025
Faculty and Friends Combo with guest Mar Vilaseca
Galesburg Community Arts Center
349 E Main St, Galesburg, IL 61401
7:00p.m.-10:00p.m.
Admission: $5
Tickets will be purchased at the door

The Faculty and Friends performance features Knox's accomplished jazz faculty and local jazz musicians from the vibrant live music community of central Illinois.

May 9, 2025
Galesburg High School Big Bands
6:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Juan Pastor's Chinchano
2 sets 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Knox Alumni Big Band
8 p.m.- 9 p.m.

Galesburg Community Arts Center
349 E Main St, Galesburg, IL 61401
Admission: $10
Tickets will be purchased at the door

May 10, 2025
Rootabaga Kids: Juan Pastor's Chinchano
Galesburg Public Library
264 W Main St, Galesburg, IL 61401
10:00a.m.
Free and open to the public

This free family friendly event promises to be a very engaging and entertaining experience for the whole family.

May 10, 2025
DC and the Love featuring Greg Ward and Mar Vilaseca
and the Knox Jazz Ensemble
Orpheum Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg St., Galesburg
7 p.m.
Free Admission to all thanks to the generosity of NAEIR.

Category: Festivals | Live Music