Friday, March 28, 2025, 7:30 pm
MICHIGAN TECH MUSIC SERIES EVENT
The Annual Don Keranen Jazz Festival pays tribute to the founder of the Michigan Tech Jazz Studies Program, Don Keranen. The weekend includes three unique performances, a professional guest artist, and a masterclass led by Jazz Studies Director Adam Meckler.
The weekend will feature guest artist Steven Hobert, whose repertoire spans jazz, world music, and more. Hobert performs on piano, accordion, & vocals as a soloist, and works with Sirclesound, FireFlyForest, and Oudyano alongside renowned oud player Issam Rafea.
Here's this year's lineup:
FRIDAY 7:30 PM PERFORMANCE
DURATION | Approx. 2 hours
Video Game Jazz Ensemble and the R&D Band featuring the 2025 Guest Artist, Steven Hobert.
SATURDAY 2 PM MASTERCLASS
Jazz Studies Director Adam Meckler invites local middle and high school students to the Band Room for a masterclass. Students will learn a tune by ear and are invited to open the 6 p.m. Saturday concert performing that tune. Contact Adam to participate.
SATURDAY 6 PM PERFORMANCE
DURATION | Approx. 90 minutes
Lab Band with the 2025 Guest Artist, Steven Hobert performing original compositions by Adam Meckler. Opening set by the Don K Weekend Masterclass students.
SATURDAY 8 PM PERFORMANCE
DURATION | Approx. 2 hours
Late night sets by JazTec and Workshop Brass Band.
CONTENT GUIDANCE | None
Things to know
SEATING| General Admission
PUBLIC TICKETS| Pay As You're Able ($20 Full Fee)
MICHIGAN TECH STUDENT RUSH | Reserve online or walk-up
Plan your visit with information about parking, accessibility, Pay As You're Able ticketing, and more.
Concessions: Non-alcoholic concessions available during this event.
Contact the Rozsa Box Office with any questions about this event via phone at 906-487-1906, or by email at rozsa@mtu.edu. View current Box Office Hours.
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About The Performers
Steven Hobert, 2025 Guest Artist
Steven's transportive sound from the heart embodys Wonder and Mystery. He seeks to facilitate playfulness, healing, provoke compassion and warmly sink into the moment. His music has been described as “delightful, innovative and viscerally inspiring” that “dazzles audiences, opens hearts and fires up imaginations.” Steven performs on piano, accordion, & vocals as a soloist, with jazz project Sirclesound, the world beat-driven ensemble FireFlyForest, and Oudyano with renowned Syrian oud player Issam Rafea.
He has released three albums: "Ballet", "Ocean Eyes", and "Soft Equation".
Learn more about Steven Hobert at stevenhobert.com
JazTec
JazTec is a dynamic 5 to 7-piece jazz combo that specializes in contemporary jazz, funk, and original styles. The instrumentation of 3 horns and rhythm section allows each member ample opportunity to explore jazz improvisation and composition and to develop an individual style.
Jazz Lab Band
The award-winning Michigan Tech Jazz Lab Band, under the direction of Adam Meckler, comprises 18 musicians from throughout the country and features a broad repertoire of music ranging from the Big Band Era to today’s contemporary big band Jazz, focusing on modern and original compositions.
Research and Development Big Band (R&D)
Directed by Drew Kilpela, the R&D performs repertoire from Jazz’s storied history including a mix of traditional and modern big band repertoire, emphasizing traditional repertoire. R&D learns tunes by ear and spends time on improvisation and defining chord changes for improvising.
Video Game Music
Two Huskies channeled their love of jazz, funk, fusion, and video game music into a 30-member student-run ensemble that arranges, rehearses, and performs songs from video game franchises. Computer engineering major Ryan Briggs and mechanical engineering graduate Sean Hanson '21 formed the Video Game Music ensemble in 2019 when they discovered their mutual appreciation for the genre.
Workshop Brass Band
Led by Adam Meckler, the Workshop Brass Band performs works learned by ear, stemming from the New Orleans Brass Band tradition. That means you’ll hear Workshop play old favorites like When the Saints Go Marching In, and Basin Street Blues alongside traditional brass band versions of hymns like I’ll Fly Away and What a Friend We Have in Jesus right up against modern brass band takes on R&B hits like Sexual Healing and Just My Imagination. The Workshop Brass Band puts on a show, unlike anything you’ve seen in the UP!
Thanks to Our Sponsors
This event is made possible by the Visual and Performing Arts Department, and its Circle of Supporters.
About the Michigan Tech Music Series
The Michigan Tech Music Series unites students, faculty, and community members for a vibrant season of live music in the Keweenaw. Enjoy the commanding Keweenaw Symphony and experience Michigan Tech Jazz as it transforms the Rozsa and McArdle Theatre into Orchestra, stirring Michigan Tech Choirs, and inventive New Music events. Feel the dynamic energy of the Superior Wind Symphony, Campus Concert Band, and iconic Huskies Pep Band, intimate jazz clubs.
Part of the the annual Rozsa Season, the Michigan Tech Art, Music, and Theatre Series are presented by the Visual and Performing Arts Department. Through these series, students and faculty create art that connects us to the world. With majors in audio production and technology, sound design, theatre and entertainment technology, and nine minors, the department fosters creativity, self-motivation, and the development of practical and artistic skills. Everyone is welcome, and there's something for everyone.
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