In 1980, dermatologist and jazz devotee Dr. Harry Van Velsor started the North Carolina Jazz Festival in Wilmington, NC. Over the years the giants of trad jazz have performed at the festival. Artists like the late Art Hodes, Milt Hinton and Johnny Frigo graced the early years of the festival. In the last few years some of the national and international jazz stars who have performed here are Bria Skonberg, Adrian Cunningham, Chuck Redd, Ken Peplowski, Anat Cohen and Nicki Parrott to name a few. Along with the three-night festival is a jazz education program started in 2007. On Friday afternoon some of the musicians visit two local schools giving concert/workshops introducing the students to jazz. Master classes are also given later in the day to music students and educators in trumpet, violin, drums and vibes, clarinet, guitar and trombone.To learn more about the North Carolina Jazz Festival visit their website
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