Don Keranen Jazz Festival 2027: Concerts - Michigan Tech Jazz

MICHIGAN TECH MUSIC SERIES EVENT

Once every five years, we invite MTU Jazz Alumni who studied under Don Keranen, Mike Irish, and Director of Jazz Studies Adam Meckler to return to campus, rehearse, and take the stage for the Don Keranen Jazz Festival. 2027 marks the big reunion!

Friday night kicks off with the R&D Jazz Band under the direction of Drew Kilpela, alongside the debut of the newly formed MTU Jazz Choir directed by Jana Meckler. After the backstage performance, the music keeps going at the Orpheum! Join the jazz bands in Hancock for a post-concert jam session on Friday night! Bring your horn to play with the house band, or just come to dance and sing along!

Saturday features a big evening of music with the Jazz Lab Band and JazTec under the direction of Adam Meckler, as well as the MTU Jazz Alumni Megaband under the baton of a special guest director, performing alongside the local high school students from the afternoon masterclass. The Jazz Lab Band will also be joined by UP-based jazz legends Drew Kilpela and Pat Booth as guest soloists. Afterward, close out the night with the Workshop Brass Band afterparty, at the Orpheum!

On Sunday, the Workshop Brass Band will close the festival with an intimate gospel service at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, within walking distance from the MTU campus. The New Orleans Brass Band tradition is, in many ways, rooted in gospel music and repertoire, and the Workshop Brass Band will perform that repertoire as part of an interfaith service.

See the full weekend schedule below!

Things to know

DATE | Friday-Sunday, April 9-11, 2027
TIME | Weekend Lineup, see schedule below
SEATING BEGINS | 7 p.m.
LOCATION | Rozsa Backstage
EST. RUN TIME | 90 mins. including intermission
SEATING | General Admission
PUBLIC TICKETS | Pay As You're Able ($20 Full Fee) What is Pay As You're Able?
MICHIGAN TECH STUDENT RUSH TICKETS | Login to rozsatickets.com using the MTU Single Sign-on. What is Student Rush?

CONTENT GUIDANCE | Loud music. Earplugs available upon request. VIew all accessibility services.

Get tickets at rozsatickets.com or at the Rozsa Box Office. View Rozsa Box Office Hours.

Weekend Schedule

FRIDAY 7:30 p.m. PERFORMANCE

PERFORMANCE: Kick off the festival at the Rozsa Backstage with the R&D Jazz Band, under the direction of Drew Kilpela, alongside the exciting debut performance of the newly formed MTU Jazz Choir, directed by Jana Meckler.
LOCATION | Rozsa Backstage
PUBLIC TICKETS | Pay As You're Able Tickets ($20 Full Fee) What is Pay As You're Able?
DURATION | Approx. 2 hours

FRIDAY 10 p.m. JAM SESH

JAM SESH: Keep the energy going with a late-night jam session at the Orpheum Theater featuring MTU Jazz Alumni and current ensembles. Bring your horn and sit in with the house band! This event is all about the joy of spontaneity in jazz.
LOCATION | Orpheum Theatre, 426 Quincy St, Hancock, MI 49930
PUBLIC TICKETS | Free to attend
DURATION | Approx. 2 hours

SATURDAY 2 p.m. MASTERCLASS

HIGH SCHOOL MASTERCLASS: Want to perform on the Rozsa stage? Pre-college musicians from across the UP are invited to the Rozsa Band Room (2nd floor) to learn a tune completely by ear, taught by Director of Jazz Studies Adam Meckler and Jazz Professor Drew Kilpela. Best of all, you will return for the 7:30 p.m. concert that night to perform the song live with MTU's Jazz Lab Band! (Note: Parents must purchase tickets to the evening performance to attend).
TO JOIN | Contact the Director of Jazz Studies, Adam Meckler.
LOCATION | Band Room, Rozsa 208

SATURDAY 7:30 p.m. PERFORMANCE

PERFORMANCE: A big evening of music featuring the MTU Jazz Alumni Megaband under the baton of a special guest director, performing alongside the local high school students from the afternoon masterclass. The evening also showcases MTU Jazz’s premier ensembles, including Jazz Lab Band and JazTec combo directed by Adam Meckler. To make the night even more special, the Jazz Lab Band will be joined by UP-based jazz legends Drew Kilpela and Pat Booth as guest soloists.
LOCATION | Rozsa Backstage
PUBLIC TICKETS | Pay As You're Able Tickets ($20 Full Fee) What is Pay As You're Able?
DURATION | Approx. 90 minutes

SATURDAY 10 p.m. AFTER PARTY

AFTER PARTY: The Workshop Brass Band takes over the Orpheum Theater for a raucous, New Orleans-style afterparty. The music runs all the way until midnight, and the band will keep their foot on the gas the entire time. Come out, dance, sing along, and let the Workshop Brass Band transport you straight down to the bayou!
LOCATION | Orpheum Theatre
PUBLIC TICKETS | TBD
DURATION | Approx. 2 hours

SUNDAY 3 p.m. GOSPEL SERVICE

SUNDAY 3 p.m. GOSPEL SERVICE: The Workshop Brass Band closes out the festival weekend with an intimate gospel service at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, located within walking distance of the MTU campus. Because the New Orleans brass band tradition is deeply rooted in gospel music, the Workshop Brass Band will perform traditional repertoire as part of this uplifting, interfaith service.
PUBLIC TICKETS | Free to attend
DURATION | Approx. 60 mins.

Thank you to Sponsors

Support for this 2026/27 Michigan Tech Music Series event is sponsored in part by:
and the Michigan Tech Visual and Performing Arts Circle of Supporters at mtu.edu/rozsa/donors

About the Performers

MTU Jazz Alumni Megaband
Every five years, MTU Jazz invites Alumni who studied under Don Keranen, Mike Irish, and Adam Meckler to return to campus, rehearse, and take the stage for the Don Keranen Jazz Festival.

NEW MTU Jazz Choir
ADD BIO

Jazz Lab Band
The Jazz Lab Band is the top jazz ensemble at Michigan Tech led by Director of Jazz Studies, Adam Meckler and features a broad repertoire of music ranging from Big Band Era to today's contemporary big band jazz, with a focus on modern and original composition.

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.

R&D Jazz Band
The R&D Jazz Band, led by Drew Kilpela, performs a mix of traditional and modern repertoire for big band, with an emphasis on traditional repertoire. R&D learns tunes by ear, and spends time on improvisation and defining choir changes for improvising.

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!

ABOUT MICHIGAN TECH JAZZ

Michigan Tech Jazz, led by Director Jazz Studies Adam Meckler and Drew Kilpela, brings the Keweenaw a wide range of jazz experiences performed by students, local performers, and national names. Its diverse ensembles transform the Rozsa backstage into an intimate jazz club and blow off the roof with the annual Don Keranen Memorial Jazz Festival.

Meet the performers, creative team, and production team in the event's digital program. Programs are published at least one day prior to the event.

About the Presenter

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 annual Rozsa Season, the Michigan Tech Art, Music, and Theatre Series are presented by the Visual and Performing Arts Department. Through these series, students from across campus, community members, 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.

View all Michigan Tech Music Series Events.

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The views, information, thoughts, or opinions expressed in this program or event are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent the policies of the Rozsa Center or Michigan Technological University. Effective Date: 2025/26.