The UNLV School of Music, Division of Jazz Studies hosts the first Las Vegas Essentially Ellington South West Regional Festival Jan. 18-19 in Artemus Ham Concert Hall. Essentially Ellington co-produces non-competitive, education-focused festivals designed to offer high school jazz bands of all levels the opportunity to perform the music of Duke Ellington and other seminal big band composers and arrangers. Participating bands receive professional feedback from clinicians and other jazz professionals in their own backyard. 

Las Vegas-native Kenny Rampton — acclaimed trumpeter and member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra directed by Wynton Marsalis — has committed to be a clinician for the festival.

Jazz at Lincoln Center artists Chris Crenshaw, jazz trombonist, and Julius Tolentino, jazz saxophonist, are performing at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, with the UNLV Latin Jazz Ensemble, directed by Uli Geissendoerfer. Rampton is performing with UNLV Jazz Ensemble I, conducted by Dave Loeb and Nathan Tanouye at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19.

Tickets are $10 and available at pac.unlv.edu or by calling 702-895-ARTS (2787). Discounts are available.