Don Keranen Jazz Festival feat. guest artist Braxton Cook
Schedule
Fri Mar 27 2026 at 07:30 pm to 09:30 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Rozsa Center | Houghton, MI
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The Annual Don Keranen Jazz Festival pays tribute to the founder of the Michigan Tech Jazz Studies Program, Don Keranen. The weekend includes three unique performances, a performance with a professional guest artist, a late night jam session, and a masterclass led by Jazz Studies Director Adam Meckler. This year's Don Keranen Jazz Festival's guest artist is American multi-instrumentalist, singer songwriter and recording artist Braxton Cook.
——EVENT DETAILS——
Three Performances:
🗓️ Friday, March 27, 2026
🕢 7:30 p.m.
📍 Rozsa Backstage
R&D Jazz Band and Video Game Jazz Ensemble playing with guest artist, Braxton Cook.
🗓️ Saturday, March 28, 2026
🕢 7:30 p.m.
📍 Rozsa Backstage
Jazz Lab Band and JazTec playing with guest artist, Braxton Cook.
Local high school students from Adam Meckler’s Masterclass will play side-by-side with the bands.
🗓️ Saturday, March 28, 2026
🕢 10 p.m.
📍 Orpheum Theatre
Late night show with Workshop Brass Band at the Orpheum.
TICKETS: events.mtu.edu/event/don-keranen-jazz-festival-2026
——ARTISTS, SERIES, AND SPONSOR DETAILS——
ABOUT BRAXTON COOK
Braxton Cook is an American multi-instrumentalist, singer songwriter and recording artist. He has toured with jazz musicians Christian Scott, Christian McBride, and Marquis Hill, and performed with Jon Batiste, Mac Miller, and Rihanna. In 2017, Fader named Cook a "jazz prodigy," and in 2018, Ebony listed him as one of the "top five jazz artists to watch."
ABOUT MICHIGAN TECH JAZZ
Michigan Tech Jazz, directed by Adam Meckler, brings the Keweenaw a wide range of jazz experiences performed by students, local performers, and national names. Its diverse ensembles transform the Rozsa backstage into an intimate jazz club and blow off the roof with the annual Don Keranen Memorial Jazz Festival.
Learn more at mtu.edu/vpa/music/ensembles/jazz
ABOUT DON KERANEN JAZZ FESTIVAL
For over 20 years, Michigan Tech Jazz has put on an annual jazz festival with jams by multiple ensembles and features a renowned guest artist each year.
Don Keranen was an incredible innovator at Michigan Tech. He developed the jazz studies program, instituted what is now the Superior Wind Symphony; originated the "scramble band" concept used by the Huskies Pep Band, and put them into their iconic stripes. In his honor, Michigan Tech Jazz has hosted this festival since 2000 to celebrate his legacy.
ABOUT ADAM MECKLER
Adam Meckler joined the faculty at Michigan Tech Fall of 2019 after a decade-long career as a freelance trumpeter, composer, and educator based in Minneapolis, MN. While based in MN, he held faculty positions at McNally Smith College of Music, Macalester College, MCTC, and MacPhail Center For Music.
Read Adam’s full bio at www.adammeckler.com/bio
ABOUT MICHIGAN TECH MUSIC SERIES
The Michigan Tech Music Series unites students, faculty, and community members for a vibrant season of live music in the Keweenaw. Enjoy the commanding Keweenaw Symphony and experience Michigan Tech Jazz as it transforms the Rozsa and McArdle Theatre into Orchestra, stirring Michigan Tech Choirs, and inventive New Music events. Feel the dynamic energy of the Superior Wind Symphony, Campus Concert Band, and iconic Huskies Pep Band, intimate jazz clubs.
Part of the annual Rozsa Season, the Michigan Tech Art, Music, and Theatre Series are presented by the Visual and Performing Arts Department. Through these series, students and faculty create art that connects us to the world. With majors in audio production and technology, sound design, theatre and entertainment technology, and nine minors, the department fosters creativity, self-motivation, and the development of practical and artistic skills. Everyone is welcome, and there's something for everyone.
Learn more about the Rozsa Center and the Michigan Tech Music Series by visiting mtu.edu/rozsa/events-and-programs/explore-by-series/michigan-tech-music-series
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
This program/lecture is partially funded/sponsored by the Visiting Professor Program which is funded by a grant to the Office of the Provost from the State of Michigan's King-Chávez-Parks Initiative, Michigan Tech Visual and Performing Arts Department, and its Circle of Supporters mtu.edu/rozsa/donors
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**WHAT IS PAY AS YOU'RE ABLE?
Pay As You're Able ticketing is designed to remove financial barriers and promote greater accessibility to the performing arts. The program allows guests to select their ticket from various price levels based on what they can afford.
Learn more about Pay As You're Able at mtu.edu/rozsa/events-and-programs/ticket-information
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EVENT PROGRAM
The full digital program will be available online at least one day in advance at mtu.edu/rozsa/programs
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PLAN YOUR VISIT
Including accessibility services, directions and parking, ticket policies, and more at mtu.edu/rozsa/plan-your-visit
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Where is it happening?
Rozsa Center, 1700 US-41, Houghton, MI 49931-1194, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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