In addition to continuing the tradition of showcasing notable performances by national and international guests, the 9th Annual SHSU Bill Watrous Jazz Festival was a memorial tribute to Watrous, who died last year at the age of 79. Watrous was celebrated during his life as one of the “world’s most respected trombonists,” and was known for his “crisp and graceful playing,” the New York Times wrote at the time of his death. The festival, held each spring at Sam Houston State University, is a competitive, educational event in which high school and intermediate school jazz bands perform at 30-minute intervals throughout the day. Participating ensembles receive critique sheets and master classes from nationally renowned jazz educators. “In addition, we offered newly created, hourly clinics for the students, teachers and enthusiasts alike,” said Aric Schneller, director of jazz studies at SHSU and artistic director of the festival. “This was a very special educational enhancement to this year’s festival.”
Judges award first, second and third place in each of the school categories and select outstanding soloists and musicians. To honor Watrous’s memory, the invited international guest trombonists, Vincent Gardner, Andre Hayward, Jeff Martin, and Sean Nelson, donated their performance fees to help support the newly created Bill Watrous Endowed Jazz Scholarship. “Their incredible generosity, along with the efforts of many donors, has almost completed the amount of the seed money required to endow this special scholarship that will support our future jazz students and honor the legacy of Bill Watrous,” Schneller said. “The event offers performance and education at its finest. It takes a tremendous amount of time and commitment to make it successful,” he said. “We could not put on a festival of this distinction without the support of our SHSU jazz students. They are the absolute best!” ■ - Julia May