26th Annual Jazz Guitar Festival

This October, Denison hosts the 26th annual Denison Jazz Guitar Festival, with three days of workshops and performances by accomplished musicians. Founded by Denison’s own Tom Carroll in 1997 to celebrate the art of jazz guitar, the festival is still going strong in 2022, and is the longest continually running jazz guitar festival in the United States.

Spin Cycle featuring Matt Chertkoff

The festival begins on Thursday, October 20, 7pm with afternoon workshops, followed by a kick off concert at Slivy’s cafe in Silverstein Hall with a performance from jazz quartet Spin Cycle featuring guitarist Matt Chertkoff.

Dan Wilson Trio

The following night features the Dan Wilson Trio, led by Ohio native and Grammy® nominated guitarist Dan Wilson. Wilson is a Mack Avenue recording artist and was awarded the North American edition of the ‘RISING STARS’ Jazz Award earlier this year. He released his most recent album Vessels of Wood and Earth in April 2021. The Dan Wilson trio performs October 21, 8pm, in Sharon Martin Hall in the Eisner Center and will offer free workshops throughout the afternoon.

Jonathan Kreisberg Quartet

The final night of the festival features the Jonathan Kreisberg Quartet, led by New York based guitarist and composer Jonathan Kreisberg. Kreisberg has toured worldwide and played alongside a number of jazz greats, while also recording 10 CDs as a leader. The Jonathan Kreisberg Quartet performs in the Sharon Martin Hall October 22 at 8pm and will also offer free guitar workshops during the day.

“I have been admiring these two feature artists for a while now,” said guitar instructor and festival organizer Brett Burleson, “they are both well-versed in traditional jazz, but bring their own unique voices and styles to their work.”

The Denison Jazz Guitar Festival and workshops are free and open to the public, but tickets are required for October 21 and 22.