Utah State University is once again the epicenter for jazz enthusiasts as it gears up for the 2025 Guitar, Bass, and Drums Festival, slated for March 4. The event promises a full day of educational interactions and a night of performances starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Russell/Wanlass Performance Hall.
The festival, organized by Corey Christiansen, Guitar Program Coordinator, with the assistance from Jason Nicholson and Braun Khan, who are both Associate Professors at USU, aims to turn the spotlight onto the rhythm section of jazz ensembles, often overshadowed by front-line soloists. As Braun Khan mentioned, as obtained by USU Today, "Oftentimes guest artists who are brought in for festivals are horn players, which is great and somewhat natural since they are the ones who play the melodies and are often featured soloists, but the rhythm section plays an important supportive role in any jazz ensemble and is typically the 'engine' of the group."
This year's headline acts include drummer Danny Gottlieb and bassist Mark Egan, both with strong ties to the festival's creators, and the Yotam Silberstein Trio led by the acclaimed guitarist. Students and community members can look forward to performances that showcase the interconnectedness of jazz's rhythm section and its pivotal role in the genre's expression. "Danny Gottlieb has been a longtime friend of Corey Christiansen and played on his first album, ‘Awakening,’ and Gottlieb and Egan have also had a long musical relationship," Khan said, as per USU Today.
Beyond the stage, the festival features clinics and panels designed for student engagement and learning. The opportunity, as Braun Khan told USU Today, is for students to "hear these amazing artists perform but also hear them talk about how they approach their craft, the lessons that helped them get to where they are now, and the advice they have for up-and-coming musicians." Alex Schnieder, a senior in the guitar performance program, shared his past experiences, as noted by USU Today, "Many of my favorite memories of my time at USU have been directly tied to this event. It gives students a chance to interact with and learn from musicians who are on the cutting edge of music and who are pushing the art form forward."
The Guitar, Bass, and Drums Festival at USU is an accessible event, with free entry for students and reasonable ticket prices for others. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors/youth, and $8 for faculty/staff. They can be purchased online or at the CCA box office located in the Daryl Chase Fine Arts Center. For anyone needing more information, be sure to visit the USU events calendar.
