Winter Jazz & Blues Festival in Nelsonville 

SPONSORED BY WXTQ, POWER 105.5 and Studio E

Tickets available at the door on Saturday.

Did you spot Mark during the halftime show at Super Bowl XLIII?

Jazz and blues. Is there a better way to heat up on a cold winter night than to hear some of the hottest jazz and blues musicians around? We didn't think so!

The 2nd Annual Winter Jazz & Blues Festival is bringing world-class talent to town. There just might be some swinging on the Public Square in Nelsonville.

Mark Pender, trumpet player on NBC’s Late Night with Conan O'Brien and leader of the Mark Pender Band, will be the featured performer. Although Mark is unlikely to toot his own horn, he is so good and his background so impressive that his arrival in the area is highly anticipated.

Mark has performed, toured, and recorded with artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Ella Fitzgerald, Charles Earland, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Diana Ross, Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, David Bowie, Joe Cocker, Bon Jovi, They Might Be Giants, and Robert Cray.

The festival was created with the idea of bringing music to an already-music loving community, at a time when there aren’t a whole lot of things going on. It should prove to be a delightful, upbeat break to the graylight of winter -- even if there is snow flying around!

On Friday February 6, come to Nelsonville to hear a variety of great musicians at The Elks, The Mine, The Eagles and Rhapsody.

On Saturday morning, Mark is hosting a free Young Musicians' Workshop that is open to all local junior and high school student musicians. It will be held at Stuart's Opera House from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Mark will be joined by R&B Station band members Mike Price, Mike Doughty, Shorty Starr, and Athens’ own American Idol contestant Sharell Andrews; and Kathy Farmer, Bobby Carson & Alex Graham for workshop sections that cover all instruments, including brass, bass, guitar, drums, piano and vocals. Students should bring their own instruments, but a free lunch will be provided. To register please contact Matt Burgio at mburgio@alexanderschools.org.

Saturday evening February 7, join us at 7:00 pm at Stuart's Opera House to see your own local high school band members open up for Mark Pender, sax player Alex Graham, blues great Bobby Carson, jazz pianist Kathy Farmer & local blues band R & B Station.

Need a place to stay? Click here for lodging availability in Athens County.