Jazz Up Glen Ellyn Brims With Live Big Band Music For 2024

GLEN ELLYN, IL — Big Band-era music, mambo tunes and other live performances will add some pizzazz to downtown Glen Ellyn for the 2024 Jazz Up Glen Ellyn Festival, which is set for July 13.

Headed up by internationally acclaimed musician and Glen Ellyn Jazz Ensemble Artistic Director Fareed Haque, the free festival features The Chicago Jazz Orchestra with Alyssa Allgood, Johnny Blas Y Afro Libre Orquesta with Victor Garcia on trumpet, and more. Musicians from Downers Grove and Highland Park High Schools will also take the stage.

Here's a look at the full schedule of performances slated for the stage at Main and Duane.

2 p.m.: Glen Ellyn Jazz Ensemble

2:50 p.m.: Chicago Jazz Orchestra with Alyssa Allgood

3:40 p.m.: Downers Grove South High School (2nd place winners in Battle of the Combos)

4 p.m.: Skyliners Big Band with Fareed Haque on guitar

4:50 p.m.: Highland Park High School (1st place winners in Battle of the Combos)

5:10 p.m.: Johnny Blas Y Afro Libre Orquesta with Victor Garcia on trumpet

6:10 p.m.: DuPage Community Jazz Ensemble with Marques Carrol on trumpet

Prior to the outdoor shows, there will be a Jazz Brunch at Nobel House at 10 a.m. featuring Bellas Artes Jazz Faculty and Student Combos, along with the York High School Jazz Combo. Then, at 12 p.m., Victor Garcia will lead an all-ages Latin Jazz workshop at Wiedner Auditorium.

Once the outdoor shows wrap up at 7 p.m., attendees can continue to soak in the smooth strains of jazz music at various restaurants in the village with performances by duo and solo artists.