The Cal Poly Pomona Jazz Band, led by Professor Dave Kopplin, is among six bands chosen to compete in the Next Generation Jazz Festival, from March 30 to April 1.

The band will give a preview concert March 1 at 8 p.m. in the Music Recital Hall. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for general admission. They may be purchased online https://csupomona.tix.com or at the box office in Building 24-188.

Every spring, the Monterey Jazz Festival invites the top student musicians worldwide to participate in the Next Generation Jazz Festival. This marks Cal Poly Pomona¿s first-ever appearance in the festival.

The three-day event includes performances by middle school through college level ensembles as well as competitions, with awards going to the top groups. In the College Big Band Division, only six bands compete.

The top college-level big band can win a cash award and an invitation to perform at the 55th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival in September.

The Cal Poly Pomona Jazz Band, founded in the late 1950s, is a 20-piece jazz ensemble open by audition to any Cal Poly Pomona student, faculty, or staff member. It presently is an all-student ensemble with majors from a variety of disciplines including mechanical engineering, finance, computer information systems and music.