KU’s annual Jazz Festival, after-hours this weekend

The Kansas University school of music will present its 36th annual Jazz Festival this weekend, with concerts featuring guest artists Bob Sheppard on saxophone and Kurt Rosenwinkel on guitar.

Concerts are planned for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Free State High School auditorium, 4700 Overland Drive. Admission is free, but ticket reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made by calling 785-864-3436.

KU Jazz Festival After Hours will follow each performance, from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. in the All Seasons Den at the Oread Hotel, 1200 Oread Ave. Admission is free and a cash bar will be available.

Friday’s concert will feature Sheppard with the KU Jazz Festival All-Star Big Band, comprising KU music faculty, area jazz musicians and visiting jazz educators. The Free State High School Jazz Ensemble I and the festival’s Outstanding High School Ensemble — performers are selected during the festival’s daytime clinics and master classes — will open the show.

Saturday’s concert will feature Rosenwinkel with the KU Jazz Ensemble I. The KU Combo I, the KU Jazz Singers and the festival’s Outstanding College Ensemble will open.