Started in 2003, the Thornapple Arts Council Jazz Festival has grown to be the largest jazz festival of its kind matching more student groups and performers to professional jazz musicians through its clinician program than any other festival in the United States. This non-competitive festival puts education and jazz promotion and appreciation at its core. The festival draws over 10,000 people and provides a weekend of free jazz performance to the public and the chance for student groups to come in from around the state to work with professional musicians. Headlining performance are available for a small fee allowing residents of rural Barry County and the surrounding area the opportunity to experience acts like the internationally known Four Freshmen.
