For the first time ever, the Columbia Theatre will play host to the entire Bill Evan’s Jazz Festival.  Don’t miss this world-class celebration of America’s original art form. Concerts will feature current Southeastern students, alumni, faculty, and special guest artists.

This year's festival features guest artist Laura Dreyer. Laura is a saxophone, flutist, and composer. Saxophonist, flutist, and composer, and a vibrant, creative voice in the New York jazz scene. Her catchy original compositions combine lyrical melodies with jazz, Brazilian rhythms, funk, and rock, resulting in an exciting, contemporary palette of sound with a strong rhythmic twist.  A multi-instrumentalist, Dreyer performs both nationally and internationally with her Brazilian Jazz ensemble, “Laura Dreyer and the Manhattan/Rio Connection,” and is additionally in great demand as a sideperson. Audiences have heard her in the bands of such diverse artists as such as pianist Dom Salvador, Antonio Adolfo, Paula Morelenbaum, Dr. Billy Taylor, Walter Bishop Jr., Mel Lewis, Robert Palmer, Nnenna Freelon, Lea Delaria,  Leny Andrade, Portinho, Helcio Milito, saxophonist/author James McBride, Sherrie Maricle and the Diva Jazz Orchestra and, Mark Levine, as well as many others. Laura has recorded four albums as a leader/producer, including Mysterious Encounter (Lavasphere), Free Flying Bird (Sony/Piloo), and Sax in the City (Apria), and Vida. Arte. Amor. (Mayimba Jazz). She is also featured on acclaimed Brazilian pianist Dom Salvador’s newest release, The Art of Samba Jazz, which received a Premio da Musica Brasileira award for Best Instrumental CD. Dreyer has a Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY Empire State College, where she received a SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence, and was also a scholarship student at the acclaimed Berklee College of Music. Dreyer studied with noted music educators Andy McGee, Joe Viola, and John LaPorta. In addition, she took private lessons with saxophone greats Joe Henderson, Joe Lovano, and Hal Stein, composers Lyle Mays and Jim McNeely.  For more information, please visit lauradreyer.com.