"Kentucky Starts Here!" with a Friday night “Mardi Gras” kickoff on Main, and two full days of live jazz, artisans, food, fun, and more on Saturday and Sunday at historic Old Fort Harrod. The Jazz Festival and the Kentucky Artisan Expo will also join the “Scarecrows at the Fort” and some new partners.

Schedule of Events:

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: David Hall

David Hall plays saxophones, clarinet, flute, flugelhorn, trumpet, EWI, steel pan drum, harmonica and keyboards.  He has performed with The Temptations, The Four Tops, Bob Hope, The Drifters, Carol Channing, The Sensations, Mag 7, The Men of Note, Percy Sledge, Lexington Philharmonic, Lexington Swing Society, Tee Dee Young, The Bourbonaires, Dave Parry Band, Ed Minor Big Band, Vince DiMartino, Dixieland South, Don Krekel Orchestra, Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus Band, Ice Capades Band and many others.  David has opened shows for Chuck Mangione, Burt Bacharach, Three Dog Night, Blood Sweat & Tears, Chubby Checker, Donny Osmond, The Spinners, America, Helen Reddy, Marie Osmond, Crystal Gayle, The Grass Roots, Junior Walker & The All Stars, Don McLean and many others.  He has played for President Bill Clinton, numerous governors and senators, Lee Greenwood, The Pointer Sisters, George & Amal Clooney, Michael Bolton, Neil Sedaka and many others.  David is a member of the Woodford County Public Schools Hall of Fame and a board member of The Lexington Musicians Association American Federation of Musicians, Local 554-635.  He plays regularly at Giuseppe’s Ristorante Italiano and has done so for 29 years.

Noon - 6:30 PM: Sunday Big Band Blast

12:00 PM - 12:40 PM: Asbury University Jazz Band

The Music Department is a vibrant part of the ministry of Asbury University located in Wilmore, Ky. The AU Jazz Band is one of many fine music ensembles at Asbury under the direction of Kody Jernigan. AU jazz band is a seventeen-piece, big band that includes talented musicians attending Asbury as well as community members.   The band performs at numerous functions both on and off campus, including the High Bridge Film Festival, as well as annual touring ministry mission trips throughout the United States.

12:55 PM - 1:35 PM: KY State University Choir 

1:55 PM - 2:35 PM: Morehead State University Jazz Band

MSU Jazz Ensemble I is MSU’s premiere jazz ensemble and maintains an active performing schedule on campus, throughout Kentucky, and beyond.  The jazz big band consists of students from all disciplines and membership is by audition. Regular appearances are made at the Marshall Jazz Festival, UK ‘Battle of the Bands,’ Morehead State Jazz Clinic, the Elmhurst Jazz Festival and more.  MSU Jazz I frequently performs with internationally renowned jazz artists and has received outstanding recognition at past jazz festivals.  For more information contact Prof. Ryan McGillicuddy at r.mcgillicuddy@moreheadstate.edu.

2:50 PM - 3:30 PM: University of Louisville Jazz Ensemble

3:45 PM - 4:45 PM: Somerset Big Band

Distinguished by a harmonious fusion of talent from the local musical landscape, The Somerset Big Band stands as a testament to musical brilliance. This ensemble, comprised of exceptionally skilled musicians, transforms notes into an exquisite tapestry of sound that captivates audiences of all ages.
Renowned for their rich and dynamic compositions, The Somerset Big Band introduces a fresh musical style that transcends conventional boundaries, creating an immersive experience for the entire family. Their performances are not merely concerts, but captivating journeys through a melodic landscape, leaving an indelible mark on every listener.  We are pleased to welcome The Somerset Big Band to the 2025 KHJF!

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: University of Kentucky Jazz Ensemble with Special Guests Brad Goode, Ernie Watts, and Adam Nussbaum

A very active group on the road, the University of Kentucky Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Miles Osland has toured the Mid-West and South including performances in Chicago, Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Louisville, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Georgia, and invitational performances at the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference and the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. In July 2011 UKJE and the Osland/Dailey Jazztet toured France, Switzerland and the Netherlands, performing at the world’s most prestigious jazz festivals.

The UKJE has twice been awarded the Outstanding Jazz Ensemble certificate at Annual Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival and multiple times at the Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Two combos from the jazz studies program (UK JazzCats & UK Mega-Sax I) have received numerous outstanding ratings at the Elmhurst College Jazz Festival. Dozens of students have also been awarded the Outstanding Performer certificate at the festival. The Jazz Ensemble has also received the prestigious DeeBee award in the category of Best Jazz Instrumental Studio Orchestra from DOWNBEAT magazine. The band has been featured with many national touring artists including: Bill Watrous, David Liebman, Tom Harrell, Doc Severinsen, Louie Bellson, Clark Terry, Mel Torme, Diane Schuur, Phil Woods, Randy Brecker, Bobby Shew, Bob Mintzer, Jamey Aebersold, and many others.