Nachito Herrera, 2019 S.D. Jazz Festival artist

ABERDEEN, S.D. – The 49th annual South Dakota Jazz Festival Concert will be held Thursday, Jan. 17, at Northern State University, featuring Latin Jazz phenom Nachito Herrera.

Herrera will perform with Northern’s 2 O’Clock Jazz Ensemble at the concert, set for 7:30 p.m. in the Johnson Fine Arts Center Harvey and Cynthia Jewett Theater.

The South Dakota Jazz Festival brings together more than 180 students from high school jazz groups across South Dakota and the Upper Midwest, featuring competitive and non-competitive categories in vocal jazz, jazz combos and big bands. High school and middle school bands will begin performing for adjudication and clinics starting at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 4:30 p.m. They will perform in the Jewett Theater, and admission is free.

Cuban pianist Ignacio “Nachito” Herrera has played at many of the world’s finest concert halls and prestigious jazz festivals. He has won a number of Emmy® and Grammy® Awards, Minnesota Music Awards, and the Immigrants of Distinction Award. Herrera has played with his own band, as well as with projects and orchestras such as the Minnesota Orchestra, Minnesota Youth Symphony, Metropolitan Orchestra and Cuban National Symphony.

Ticket Information for Festival Concert

Tickets for the Jazz Festival Concert will be available at the door and are $10 for adults and $5 for children. This concert is free for NSU students, faculty and staff with ID. The concert is also an Aberdeen Community Concert for those who have purchased tickets to the concert series.

For more information about the South Dakota Jazz Festival, please contact Dr. Grant Manhart at Grant.Manhart@northern.edu.

About Northern State University

Northern State University is a regional university that offers outstanding academics and exceptional extracurricular activities at an affordable price on a safe, welcoming campus. Northern State recently announced its Educational Impact Campaign, with a goal of raising $55 million for a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, new athletic and recreation fields, and an on-campus regional sports complex. Once the campaign is complete, NSU will be the recipient of more than $100 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions