Spontaneous Sound: A Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music
The School of Music at UNCSA, along with Mercedes-Benz of Winston-Salem, presents “Spontaneous Sound: A Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music,” on Saturday, March 29, from noon to 10 p.m., with doors opening at 11:30 a.m., at the Millennium Center in downtown Winston-Salem. Featuring world-class guest artists, up-and-coming student musicians and interactive educational experiences, as well as an open jam session for performers and audience members, the festival will span four live music stages and include improvisation workshops, master classes and a Q&A with current and former members of the Michael Bublé Orchestra.
Attendees are encouraged to explore the festival at their own pace, arriving and departing at their leisure throughout the day. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for non-UNCSA students with valid ID, available online or by calling the box office at 336-721-1945. Beverages will be available on-site and attendees are welcome to visit nearby restaurants for dining options.
In its second year, the festival is the brainchild of Steve Alford, the School of Music’s jazz and contemporary department chair, who joined UNCSA in August 2023.
“‘Spontaneous Sound’ brings a dynamic, multistage experience to downtown, offering a unique blend of jazz and beyond,” Alford said. “A highlight will be the chance for local students to perform alongside professionals, gaining valuable feedback in real time from guest artists.
“Beyond jazz, audiences will be treated to a rich mix of styles, from Romani-Jazz to the music of the early albums of the rock band Chicago, to an avant-garde modern small, big band, with a grand finale featuring all the guest artists.”
UNCSA Improvised Music and Jazz Spring 2024 Mini-Fest / Photo: Wayne Reich
Festival Schedule Highlights
- 11:30 a.m.: R.J. Reynolds High School Jazz Ensemble (Daniel Campbell, director)
- Noon: UNCSA’s Vocal Apriority jazz sextet
- 12:30 p.m.: Jazz Arts All-Star Youth Ensemble (Lovell Bradford, director)
- 1 p.m.: UNCSA’s Django Ensemble featuring special guest Justin Ray
- 2:30 p.m.: UNCSA’s Changing Sheila, featuring music of the alternative rock band Morphine with guest Jacob Rodriguez
- 4 p.m.: UNCSA’s Rational Discourse avant-garde ensemble
- 7 p.m.: Open jam session for all festival performers and audience members
- 7:30 p.m.: UNCSA’s The Road ensemble performing music from Chicago’s first two albums
- 8:30-10 p.m.: Headlining performance featuring guest artists Rick Simerly, Justin Ray, Jacob Rodriguez, Daniel Seriff, Alex Taub, Alan Hall and Matt Rybicki
Workshops & Clinics
- 5 p.m.: “Life on the Road” Q&A with current and former members of the Michael Bublé Orchestra
- Live post-performance clinics with guest artists following select performances
- Master classes in guitar, piano, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, drums, and bass with leading musicians including Jacob Rodriguez, Justin Ray and Rick Simerly
A full schedule and guest artist lineup can be found at uncsa.edu/spontaneous-sound.
February 25, 2026