The centerpiece of the day is a noon performance from the CSM Concert Jazz Ensemble with special guest Charles McPherson, directed by saxophonist and CSM professor Patrick Wolff. McPherson is a living legend and one of the great saxophone players to ever play this music, known for his years of playing in Charles Mingus’ band, his contributions to the soundtrack of the movie Bird, and subsequent decades of showing the expressive potential of the bebop idiom as a solo artist.

The 24th CSM Jazz Festival is free and open to the public.