All events are family-friendly!
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ALL-EVENT TICKET / FRIDAY PASS / SATURDAY PASS / SUNDAY PASS
THURSDAY, MAY 23
Judy Carmichael in Concert
Nutt Auditorium – 7:30 pm
Join us for an incredible concert featuring jazz icon Judy Carmichael and guitarist Larry Koonse in Nutt Auditorium at 7:30 pm. Grammy nominated pianist/vocalist, Judy Carmichael is one of the world’s leading interpreters of stride and swing piano. Count Basie nicknamed her “Stride,” acknowledging the command with which she plays this technically and physically demanding jazz piano style.
Judy Carmichael is a great entertainer. Her playing is masterly and her linking material show her to be a raconteur in the Ustinov mold.
— Jonathan James Moore BBC Radio
*included in all-event pass
FRIDAY, MAY 24
Judy Carmichael & Larry Koonse
Presentation: Nutt Auditorium – 9:00 am
Judy’s been featured on A Prairie Home Companion, NPR’s Morning Edition, Entertainment Tonight, CBS’ Sunday Morning, CNN’s Business Unusual, Mornings With Margaret Throsby for the Australia Broadcast Corporation, Jo Soaresin Brazil and the BBC’s Loose Ends, In Tune, Up All Night, Woman’s Hour and numerous other shows
For 22 years Judy has produced and hosted Judy Carmichael’s Jazz Inspired which broadcasts on NPR stations across America and podcasts everywhere but Mars, although it might be there too. She has written two books on stride piano and numerous articles about jazz. Her memoir, Swinger! A Jazz Girl’s Adventures From Hollywood To Harlem was published in January 2018 and her book, Great Inspirations: 22 Years of Jazz Inspired on NPR was published in August 2022.
Trolley Tour
Departs from the Band Loop – 10:30 am
Join us for a trolley bus tour of historic Oxford including stops at Rowan Oak, the home of William Faulker, and Cedar Oak. Visitors wishing to take their own vehicles may park on campus free after 5 pm Friday. Parking passes for events during Friday morning & afternoon will be handed out upon arrival. The trolley leaves from the Band circle at 10:30 am. *NOT included in all-event or day pass.
Musical Luncheon
(Powerhouse) – 12:00 pm
Join us for a musical luncheon at the Powerhouse with two-time champion Paul Orsi providing entertainment. Paul has played his high-energy ragtime style in a variety of restaurants and venues throughout Southern California. In 1983, he joined the elite group of Coke Corner Pianists at Disneyland, where he performed for 10 years. You will be sure to enjoy Paul’s exciting style!
*not included in all-event or day pass.
Todd Robbins Presentation
Nutt Auditorium – 2:00 pm
So the Story Goes: the Surprising Tales Behind American Popular Music
Todd Robbins is an award-winning performer and creative artist that has worked in many areas of popular entertainment and the performing arts during a long career. Todd has been on more than 200 TV shows, and recently was seen hosting his True Nightmares TV series for the Investigation Discovery Channel. As an authority in many areas of arcane popular culture, Todd shares the origins of some of the best known tunes from the early part of the 20th century.
Ian Hominick Presentation
Nutt Auditorium – 3:00 pm
Wild About Jazz: Earl Wild’s Excursion On the ‘Dark Side’
Ian Hominick describes Earl Wild’s involvement with commercial music through radio, TV and live performance before being taken seriously as a classical artist. Wild’s flair for improvisation and arranging made him much in demand in the early days of radio and television, most notably a favorite of the iconic bandleader of the day, Paul Whiteman. Wild was also one the the “Piano Playboys” on ABC Radio appearing alongside the likes of legends Cy Walter, Stan Freeman, Art Tatum, George Shearing and Mary Lou Williams, to name a few.
New Rag Contest
Nutt Auditorium – 6:00 pm
The annual New Rag Contest is the first contest of the weekend. Composers must adhere to a strict list of rules and their selections must adhere to the standard format of a traditional rag. Come out and listen to pianists from across the country premiere their original compositions and compete for the New Rag trophy and cash prize.
Tune-ups Party
Powerhouse – 8:00 pm
An evening of non-stop piano playing by contestants and guest artists at the Powerhouse. This is your chance to catch the majority of players in action in an informal setting and hear some phenomenal piano playing. Enjoy your favorite drink while you reconnect with old friends and make some new friends while listening to all of your favorites. Bar available on site.
SATURDAY, MAY 25
Preliminary Round
Nutt Auditorium – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Competitors ages eight to eighty compete for trophies and cash prizes as the Junior, Regular & Senior contestants play their first couple of selections for the audience and judges. The Junior Champion is crowned at the end of the day while Regular & Senior competitors vie to make it into the semifinal round on Sunday. Learn more about each contestant before they perform as emcees Ted Lemen and Adam Swanson conduct interviews with each performer.
Silent Movie Luncheon
Band Hall – 11:45 am
Enjoy a box lunch within the confines of the Music Building inbetween the morning and afternoon Preliminary Rounds with guest artist Adam Swanson providing live accompaniment to a couple of classic silent films, the way it was done before “talkies” became the norm.
Southern Catfish Dinner
Powerhouse – 6:00 pm
Join us in celebrating 50 years of great music with a traditional Southern Catfish Dinner with all the fixings.’ (Vegetarian option available) MENU Live music with 3-time Senior Champion Bobby van Deusen while you dine. *Bar available on site. Plan on staying for a great night of music!
*not included in all-event or day pass.
An Hour with Ted Lemen
… before he’s gone!
Powerhouse – 7:30 pm
Featuring contest founder Ted Lemen in a presentation of his favorite music and stories to highlight his life as a self-taught piano player amid a world of trained professionals. The show will reveal how he got to play coast-to-coast on Amtrak’s Transcontinental Steam Excursion in 1977, competed in the Great Piano Marathon in Bloomington, Illinois, which led to many years playing at Shakey’s Pizza Parlor–and his multi-year stint as the piano player on the Spirit of Peoria riverboat. In addition to starting the piano contest, he also founded the Monticello Railway Museum, which will soon begin its 52nd year operating restored, full-size trains for the public, and which first hosted the contest to attract riders. A fixture at the piano contest for nearly five decades, he is not limited to vintage music, but has written dozens of songs about life, Chicago, love, and trains, some of which he will share. He also won the New Rag Contest twice and produced the late Marty Sammon’s popular Blues Flings in the Chicago area for nine years until Sammon’s untimely passing in 2022.
Old-Time Sing-a-long
Powerhouse – 8:30 pm
Grab a songbook and sing along with Jamie Shannon to some of the memorable old classic songs such as Alexander’s Ragtime Band, Tea for Two, My Blue Heaven and many more.
Dr. Warren Ertle & the Corpse Revivers
Powerhouse – 9:15 pm
Dr. Warren Ertle’s Corpse Revivers (formerly “Hot Peppers”) is an authentic eight-piece “hot jazz” band comprised of all-star musicians from Mississippi and Alabama. The band is committed to providing authentic performances of 1920s-1930s jazz, including Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Bix Beiderbecke, Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, and many others.
Pianists Scheduled
Powerhouse – 10:00 pm
After the band, pianists will be scheduled at 10-minute intervals for the remainder of the evening.
PURCHASE TICKET FOR SATURDAY AFTERHOURS
SUNDAY, MAY 26
Sunday Worship Service – 10:55 am
Looking for an opportunity to attend church on Sunday morning? Join us at Oxford University Methodist Church just down the street from the Music Building for an “old-time” worship service featuring music from Julie McClarey. Click on the link for directions or take the shuttle from the hotel.
Semi-final & Final Rounds
Nutt Auditorium – 1:00 pm
The top 10 Regular Division entrants compete with two selections each in the semi-final round. The field is narrowed down to the top 5 who vie for the crown of 2024 Champion with their one remaining selection. The Senior Division winners are announced at the end of the Semi-finals.
Red, White & Blue Finale
Powerhouse – 6:30 pm
It’s sad, but this will be the final time to celebrate with friends before the long journey home. Come out to the Powerhouse and celebrate the service and music of the army, navy, air force, marines and coast guard on this special weekend. If you were in the service, stand up and be recognized for your contribution! Enjoy one last chance to take in the awesome talent arrayed under one roof! *FREE Admission for veterans!
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