Grammy Award nominees Maria Schneider and Fred Hersch are the featured artists for the 25th annual Kansas University Jazz Festival, a three-day conference highlighted by evening concerts.

The KU Jazz Singers will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Lied Center. Admission is $7 for the general public and $5 for students and senior citizens.

On Friday, clinics and master classes for college, high school and junior high school big bands and combos will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the rehearsal rooms in Murphy Hall.

Hersch, a pianist, will perform a solo concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Lied Center. Opening the concert is the KU Jazz Combo I. Admission is $14 for general admission and $10 for students and senior citizens.

Hersch’s career has spanned 20 years and generated critical attention with last year’s three-CD recording of solos, “Songs Without Words.” The first volume features his solo compositions, and the second volume is a collection of classic jazz standards. The third CD is devoted to the work of Cole Porter.

On Saturday, clinics and master classes for college, high school and junior high school big bands and combos and college and high school vocal groups will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the rehearsal rooms at Murphy Hall.

That night Schneider, a composer, will conduct the KU Jazz Ensemble I at 7:30 p.m. in the Lied Center. Opening the concert is the University of Colorado Jazz Ensemble I. Admission is $14 for general admission and $10 for students and senior citizens.

Schneider worked with composer Gil Evans early in her career, and assisted him with music for the movie “The Color of Money” and Sting’s 1987 European tour. She has conducted ensembles at Carnegie Hall, the Spoleto Music Festival and JVC Jazz Festival in New York City. Her most recent album, “Allegresse,” was listed by Time magazine as one of the top 10 musician releases of 2000, the year it was nominated for a Grammy Award.

“Schneider is arguably the best big-band composer right now,” said Dan Gailey, associate professor and director of jazz studies at KU. “And her music is so difficult and challenging that very few college bands can play it. We’re honored she recognizes that KU students can bring her compositions to life.”

Clinic instructors include Gene Aitken, vocal/instrumental, University of Northern Colorado; John Davis, trumpet, University of Colorado; Jesse Krebs, instrumental, a composer from Lawrence; Paul McKee, trombone, composer and trombonist from Kansas City, Mo.; Tom Morgan, drums, Washburn University; Chip Stephens, piano, University of Colorado; Todd Strait, drums, drummer from Kansas City, Mo.; Robert Washut, piano, University of Northern Iowa; and Todd Wilkinson, saxophone, Washburn University.

Tickets for the concerts are available at the Lied Center Box Office, 864-ARTS; Murphy Hall Box Office, 864-3982; Student Union Activities Box Office, 864-3477; and Ticketmaster, (816) 931-3330 or www.TicketMaster.com.