The University of Wisconsin-Superior Music Department will host many of the best high school jazz musicians from throughout the region for the Tri-State Jazz Festival on Thursday, October 10.

“It’s a really fun event,” said Greg Kehl Moore, professor of music and jazz program director. “Everyone involved feels the students grow a lot from the experience at the festival and have a lot of fun.”

Originally a part of the Tri-State Band Festival, which will take place October 19 at UW-Superior, the Tri-State Jazz Festival became its own event in 2007, and typically draws more than 30 students from several schools throughout the Northland and Twin Cities area.

Beginning in the morning, students will rehearse with Moore and guest clinician Tim Stratioti.

Stratioti is a lifelong resident of Superior and Duluth who attended Denfeld High School and UW-Superior where he completed his performance studies in 1984, subsequently accepting a scholarship to the Rayburn Wright School of Music at Eastman University in Rochester, New York. Stratioti is a founding member of the Big Time Jazz Orchestra, an organization dedicated to advancing jazz education. He recently retired from Boys & Girls Clubs of America and continues to perform and adjudicate throughout the region. Stratioti continues to exercise his passion for youth development through jazz clinics, lessons and teaching.

The day will conclude with a public concert at 7 p.m. in Thorpe Langley Auditorium. The UW-Superior Jazz Band will open the performance followed by Tri-State Jazz Festival students. Tickets are $5 and free for students.

Thorpe Langley Auditorium is in Old Main at 1710 Weeks Ave.