Vision: Promote appreciation and a continuation of Jazz music in perpetuity, in the Midwest, through the integration of the arts and by providing a world class festival to draw visitors to the Chippewa Valley.

Mission: The Eau Claire Jazz Festival will be a rich cultural experience that celebrates Jazz, a uniquely American art form through the expression of all the arts. This festival will demonstrate the impact and influence that jazz has had on the arts and seek to foster continued appreciation for Jazz.

Click to see the 2010 Festival Fact Sheet


Message from Robert Baca, Artistic Director

The Eau Claire Jazz Festival is pleased to present an exciting entertainment lineup featuring trumpet sensation, Nicholas Payton and Kenni Holmen, premier saxophonist best known as a member of the "Hornheads".

In addition, the Festival continues to build on a rich educational tradition that was started by the University of Eau Claire. This year's festival theme, "Jumping into Jazz through the Arts" will provide broad exposure to jazz through not only instrumental music, but also vocal jazz, an artcrawl and educational events both before and during the Festival.  

In this, the 43rd year of a Jazz Festival in Eau Claire, participants will be able to choose from a variety of new clinics that are sure to energize Music Directors and jazz lovers alike. The college and high school/middle school days will uphold the high standards and the same format as in past years. In addition, we are expanding vocal jazz, which will be held on Friday and we hope many different vocal groups or soloists will attend.

We are committed to