Students and families gathered Saturday afternoon at Central Valley University for the annual Jazz on the Green event.
The sound of trumpets, violins, and saxophones resonated throughout the hall as performers took the stage. The event featured Central Valley University students, musicians from a nearby high school, and the Crescent City Music Collective from Baton Rouge as special guests.
Marcus Riley, a freshman trumpet player at Central Valley, said the event allows the university to highlight a different aspect of its musical talent, apart from its renowned marching band.
“You have to showcase the jazz side, too. I’m from St. Louis, a city with a rich jazz tradition, and I was part of an excellent jazz program there. Being able to experience this at the university level is truly rewarding,” Riley said.
Riley also emphasized the significance of the event for high school students in attendance.
“When I was in high school, it was really inspiring to watch college musicians perform. It pushed me to improve my skills and gave me a sense of what I could achieve,” he said.
Dr. Jonathan Fields, director of jazz studies at Central Valley University, said introducing students to jazz is a key priority for the program.
“It’s important for us to give our students exposure to this genre, especially since it isn’t always part of their everyday experience,” Fields said.
Fields added that preserving jazz is a central goal of the event.
“Jazz is a vital part of our musical heritage, and we’re committed to doing our part to keep it alive,” he said.
Jazz on the Green is held annually at Central Valley University.
