Jazz Guitar
Festival

Created to showcase and promote the virtuosity of jazz guitar, the Music department proudly hosts the longest continually running Jazz Guitar Festival in the United States.

Jazz Guitar Festival Coordinator:
Brett Burleson

About the Jazz Guitar Festival

The Denison University Department of Music proudly hosts the longest continually running jazz guitar festival in the United States. Founded in 1997 by retired faculty member Tom Carroll — jazz guitarist and coordinator of jazz studies — the festival was created to showcase and promote the virtuosity of jazz guitar.

Now led by Brett Burleson, a longtime Columbus musician and Denison’s coordinator of guitar studies, the festival continues to thrive. Each year, it features internationally acclaimed jazz guitarists such as Gene Bertoncini, Peter Bernstein, Fareed Haque, and Frank Vignola. These renowned artists also offer workshops and masterclasses that are open to the public.

Jazz Guitar Festival
Archives

2025 - 2026

The Department of Music, with support from the Vail Series, presents the 29th annual Jazz Guitar Festival featuring Sheryl Bailey.

The Department of Music, with support from the Vail Series, presents the 29th annual Jazz Guitar Festival featuring Bruce Forman.

2024 - 2025

The Department of Music, with support from the Vail Series, presents the 28th annual Jazz Guitar Festival.

The Department of Music, with support from the Vail Series, presents the 28th annual Jazz Guitar Festival.

2023 - 2024

The 2023 Jazz Guitar Festival welcomes the Tony Monaco/Fareed Haque Trio.

Jazz guitarist Fareed Haque is hosting a guitar workshop.

The 2023 Jazz Guitar Festival welcomes Pasquale Grasso.

Jazz guitarist Pasquale Grasso is hosting a guitar workshop.

The Jazz Guitar Festival of 2023 will kick off with a performance featuring the Zakk Jones Trio.

2022 - 2023

The Department of Music proudly hosts the longest continually running jazz guitar festival in the United States.

The Department of Music presents a Jazz Guitar Festival Workshop.

The Department of Music proudly hosts the longest continually running jazz guitar festival in the United States.

The Department of Music presents a Jazz Guitar Festival Workshop.

The Department of Music proudly hosts the longest continually running jazz guitar festival in the United States.

2021 - 2022

Denison University’s Department of Music proudly hosts the longest continually running Jazz Guitar Festival in the United States!

Denison University's 25th Annual Jazz Guitar Festival Workshops

Denison University’s Department of Music proudly hosts the longest continually running Jazz Guitar Festival in the United States!

2019 - 2020

The Department of Music presents the 23rd Annual Denison Jazz Guitar Festival closing concert, featuring The Bobby Broom Trio.

The 23rd Annual Denison Jazz Guitar Festival holds guitar clinics on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Department of Music presents the 23rd Annual Denison Jazz Guitar Festival opening concert, featuring the Pete McCann Trio.

2018 - 2019

The Denison University Jazz Ensemble presents a concert.

The Denison University Jazz Ensemble presents a concert.

The Department of Music presents the 22nd Annual Denison Jazz Guitar Festival Concert II, featuring Matt Munisteri and Frank Vignola

The Department of Music presents the 22nd Annual Denison Jazz Guitar Festival Concert I, featuring guitarist Dave Stryker.

The Department of Music presents the 22nd Annual Denison Jazz Guitar Festival clinics.

2017 - 2018

Denison University's New Music Ensemble and Jazz Combo present a concert.

The Denison University Jazz Ensemble presents a concert.

The Denison University Jazz Ensemble and the Denison Jazz Combo present a concert.

The Department of Music presents the 21st Annual Denison Jazz Guitar Festival Concert II, featuring the Olli Soikkeli Trio.

The Department of Music presents the 21st Annual Denison Jazz Guitar Festival Concert I, featuring guitarist Russell Malone.

The 21st Annual Denison Jazz Guitar Festival holds guitar clinics on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

2016 - 2017

The Denison University Jazz Ensemble presents a concert.

The Department of Music presents the 20th Annual Denison Jazz Guitar Festival concert featuring Brazilian jazz legends Trio da Paz.

The Department of Music presents the 20th Annual Denison Jazz Guitar Festival concert featuring guitar legend Gene Bertoncini.

The 20th Annual Denison Jazz Guitar Festival holds guitar clinics on Saturday, Nov. 5. from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

2015 - 2016

The Denison University Jazz Studies Area welcomes Tom Carroll presenting a recital with B3 Organist Bobby Floyd and drummer Jim Rupp.

The Denison University Faculty and Student Jazz groups present a concert featuring trumpeter Dwight Adams.

2014 - 2015

The Department of Music presents a Spring Jazz Weekend featuring Richard Lopez, piano and Ryan Hamilton, trombone and Pete Mills, director.

The Department of Music presents the 19th Annual Jazz Guitar Festival, with Bucky Pizzarelli and Ed Laub, guitar and Special Guest Frank Vignola.

The Denison Department of Music presents the 19th Annual Denison Jazz Guitar Festival under the direction of Tom Carroll.

The Department of Music presents a Denison University Jazz Ensemble Fall Concert with special guests the Martin Wind Quartet.

The Department of Music presents the Duke Robillard Band in Concert, followed by the Grand Finale Concert with Tom Carroll and Howard Alden.

The Department of Music presents an evening with Jazz Guitar legend Howard Alden.

The Department of Music presents the 18th Annual Denison Jazz Guitar Festival Clinics.

2013 - 2014

The Denison Department of Music presents the 17th Annual Denison Jazz Guitar Festival over two days.

The Denison Department of Music presents the 17th Annual Denison Jazz Guitar Festival over two days.

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