The Rootabaga Jazz Festival features DC & the Love, Juan Pastor's Chinchano and Mar Vilaseca, along with the Knox Jazz Ensemble, the Cherry St Combo, the Knox Alumni Big Band, the Faculty and Friends Combo, and area junior high and high school big bands.

Schedule of Events:

May 6, 2025

The Mar Vilaseca Quartet School Tour group
United HS
7:00p.m.
Free and open to the public

The Mar Vilaseca Quartet featuring Derel Monteith, Jason Brannon and Andy Crawford will perform a concert as part of the Rootabaga Jazz School Tour. On Tuesday, May 6th and Wednesday, May 7th, the group will tour six area schools performing for elementary, junior high, and high school students.

May 7, 2025

Galesburg Junior High Big Band
Canton High School Big Band
ROWVA High School Big Band
Jammers Big Band
Cherry St Combo with guest Mar Vilaseca
Galesburg Community Arts Center
6:00p.m.-10:00p.m.
Admission: $3, Knox Students free with ID
Tickets will be purchased at the door

May 8, 2025

Faculty and Friends Combo with guest Mar Vilaseca
Galesburg Community Arts Center
7:00p.m.-10:00p.m.
Admission: $5, Knox Students free with ID
Tickets will be purchased at the door

The Faculty and Friends performance features Knox's accomplished jazz faculty and local jazz musicians from the vibrant live music community of central Illinois.

May 9, 2025

Galesburg High School Big Bands
6:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Juan Pastor's Chinchano
2 sets 7p.m. and 9p.m.

Knox Alumni Big Band
8 p.m.- 9 p.m.

Galesburg Community Arts Center
Admission: $10/Knox Students free with ID
Tickets will be purchased at the door

May 10, 2025

Rootabaga Kids: Juan Pastor's Chinchano
Galesburg Public Library
10:00a.m.
Free and open to the public

This free family friendly event promises to be a very engaging and entertaining experience for the whole family.

DC & the Love featuring Greg Ward and Mar Vilaseca
and the Knox Jazz Ensemble
Orpheum Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg St., Galesburg
7 p.m.
Free Admission to all thanks to the generosity of NAEIR.

Fest Date: May 6 - 10, 2025

Locations:
United High School, 1905 100th St, Monmouth, IL 61462
Galesburg Community Arts Center, 349 East Main Street, Galesburg, IL 61401
Galesburg Public Library, 264 W Main St, Galesburg, IL 61401
Orpheum Theatre, 57 S. Kellogg St., Galesburg, IL 61401

Click here for more information.