Max Roach Festival  

 

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (April 1, 2024) – The three-day Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) Max Roach Centennial Celebration and Jazz Festival has daily events that will cater to jazz lovers and learners.  

The schedule and registration is now open for festival events including the opening reception  April 11, a jazz ensemble concert featuring Tracy Griffin April 12, and a combined jazz performance with guest artist Camille Thurman April 13. 

ECSU Department of Music and Visual Arts professor Douglas Jackson is leading the effort along with local partners, The Museum of the Albemarle – hosting the opening plenary – and Arts of the Albemarle – hosting the opening night performance. Funding from a $10,000 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant will support the event. 

“We are excited to inform the community about what’s being offered and to invite them into this experience,” Jackson said. 

All programming is free and open to the public, but registration is required. 

What: Max Roach Centennial Celebration and Jazz Festival Reception 

Who: A.B. Spellman, Keynote Address Speaker 

When: Thursday, April 11, 2024, 6 p.m. 

Where: Museum of the Albemarle, 501 Water St., Elizabeth City, N.C. 

 

What: ECSU Jazz Ensemble Concert  

Who: ECSU Jazz Ensemble with guest artist Tracy Griffin 

When: Friday, April 12, 2024, 7:30 p.m. 

Where: Arts of the Albemarle, 516 E. Main St., Elizabeth City, N.C.  

 

What: Max Roach Centennial Celebration and Jazz Festival  

Who: Max Roach High School Jazz Honor Band, The Latin Jazz Conspiracy featuring Jae Sinnett, The North Carolina A&T Jazz Ensemble and a combined ensemble with guest artist Camille Thurman and others 

When: Saturday, April 13, 2024, 2 p.m. 

Where: Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center, Floyd L. Robinson Auditorium  

About Elizabeth City State University 
Elizabeth City State University provides students with a high-quality, affordable education. A constituent member of the University of North Carolina System, ECSU develops courageous, resilient, and empowered leaders through excellent student-centered, experiential learning. ECSU offers baccalaureate, professional, and master’s degrees across a wide variety of disciplines. Come to Discover. Leave to Conquer. Visit www.ecsu.edu.