13th Annual Great Bend Jazz Festival

The 13th annual Great Bend Jazz Festival is set for 7 p.m. Saturday in the Crest Theater. The concert will feature the Kansas State Concert Jazz Ensemble directed by Dr. Wayne Goins, associate professor and director of Jazz at Kansas State University, and the Latin Jazz Ensemble directed by Dr. Kurt Gartnerl, professor of Percussion at KSU.

The evening of Big Band entertainment will also feature the Great Bend High School Panther Jazz and the Prairie Winds Jazz Band of Barton County.

Goins completed his Ph.D. at Florida State University. He has teaching experience in Boston, Chicago and Atlanta, where he conducted jazz ensembles and taught guitar at Morehouse College, Emory University and Kennesaw State University. He recently authored the award-winning book, "A Biography of Charlie Christian: Jazz Guitar's King of Swing."

Two of his other books, "The Jazz Band Director's Handbook" and "Emotional Response to Music," are published by Edwin Mellen Press. Goins is also the founder of Little Apple Records, an independent jazz label that features his guitar performances in the albums West Coast Swing, Standard Fare, Smokin' at the Oak Bar and Bluesin' With the B3.

The KSU jazz ensemble has participate in many college jazz festivals and continues to earn high ratings and praise for its quality performances. The Concert Jazz Ensemble is one of three "big bands" in the KSU Jazz Program. The CJE features the most accomplished soloists and section players of jazz within the Department of Music. Their high level of artistry makes them an ensemble that is in demand throughout the region.

Kerri Brooks, trumpet, and Brent Pinkall, tenor saxophone, of Great Bend, are members of the ensemble. The Latin Jazz Ensemble performs concerts, dances and club dates in the Manhattan area. It is comprised of a wind section and a rhythm section that includes a full complement of percussion instruments. They have appeared at jazz festivals in Greeley, Colo., Stockholm, Sweden, and in Canadian festivals at Winnipeg and Toronto.

Prairie Winds Concert and Jazz Band

Steve Lueth is the director of Instrumental Activities at Barton County Community College. He is the director of the Prairie Winds Concert and Jazz Band, BCCC Jazz Ensemble and BCCC Pep Band. Lueth is an accomplished pianist and often performs with jazz groups in the Great Bend, Salina, Nebraska and Hays areas. He has performed with accordionist Myron Floren and vocal groups Little Anthony & the Imperials, The Diamonds and others. The Prairie Winds Jazz Band is made up of adult musicians from the surrounding area of Barton County.

The Great Bend Panther Jazz

The Great Bend Panther Jazz is directed by Marc Webster and Charley Moyers. Webster is in his second year as GBHS band director and continues the tradition of outstanding performances by the jazz program of USD 428. His teaching experience includes: Kinsley, Johnson County, Coffeyville, Kanopolis and Ellsworth public schools. Charley Moyers has a wide experience in professional playing and teaching and is in his sixth year as assistant band director for Great Bend.

Area friends of jazz and KSU alumni are encouraged to attend. Price of admission is $10 adult, $5 student. Major sponsors for the jazz festival are the Great Bend Kiwanis Club and CPI of Great Bend. Doors will open at 7 p.m.