Celebrating Jazz Legacy: The 24th Annual Bill Evans Jazz Festival

professor michael brothers talks jazz, community and Hammond

Next week, from April 7th to April 12th, Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) will host the 24th annual Bill Evans Jazz Festival, a celebration of jazz history, education, and performance. To learn more about this exciting event, we spoke with Professor Michael Brothers, SLU’s Director of Jazz Studies and Instructor of Percussion/Drum Line.

Professor Brothers has been at SLU for nine years, but his path to academia was anything but traditional. A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, he spent much of his career as a professional performer in New York, including work on Broadway. Eventually, he grew tired of touring and followed his wife’s teaching career, which led him to the world of education. He credits his own mentors for shaping his musical journey and now feels a responsibility to give back to young musicians.

When Professor Brothers arrived at SLU, the Bill Evans Jazz Festival needed rejuvenation. Recognizing its potential, he spearheaded efforts to expand and relocate the festival to the Columbia Theatre in downtown Hammond. Inspired by the University of California, Berkeley’s Jazz Festival, which draws visitors into their local community, he saw a similar opportunity for Hammond and SLU.

This year marks the second time the festival is fully integrated into downtown Hammond, including its educational components. The impact is significant—30 schools from three states will bring nearly 600 students to perform, learn, and experience the festival firsthand. During the day, middle school to college-level groups will participate in rehearsals, performances, and clinics, supported by the Louisiana Association of Jazz Education. In the evenings, concerts will showcase SLU students, alumni, and an esteemed guest artist.

Built in 1928, the Columbia Theatre has played a vital role in Hammond’s cultural scene. Nearly demolished in the 1990s, it was saved through efforts led by the Hammond Downtown Development District, SLU, and dedicated community members. Professor Brothers believes the Columbia Theatre is one of the university’s greatest assets and compares its quality to major theatrical venues across the U.S. and Canada. He calls it a "hidden jewel" that elevates the festival’s prestige and provides a world-class venue for students and audiences alike.

Bill Evans, the festival’s namesake, came to SLU on a flute scholarship but quickly turned his focus to piano under the encouragement of Ralph Pottle. Between 1946 and 1950, Evans honed his craft at SLU before heading to New York, where he would redefine jazz piano. His collaboration with Miles Davis on the 1959 album Kind of Blue—still the best-selling jazz album of all time—cemented his place in music history.

Evans revolutionized the jazz trio format, shifting from a piano-centric approach to one where piano, bass, and drums interacted as equal musical voices. This innovation influenced generations of jazz musicians, including Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock. As Professor Brothers notes, “Bill won seven Grammy Awards—that’s more than The Beatles.”

Students are encouraged to explore downtown Hammond, bringing vibrancy to local businesses, restaurants, and parks. The festival’s guest artist, Erik Jekabson, will be staying at the historic Michabelle Inn, showcasing the local hospitality that makes Hammond special.

The Bill Evans Jazz Festival is more than just a celebration of music; it’s a tribute to Louisiana’s jazz heritage, a testament to the power of education, and a vibrant cultural event that connects SLU and Hammond in a meaningful way.

Festival Schedule

The festival offers free daytime school performances from Wednesday through Saturday (9 AM - 4:30 PM), open to the public. Professor Brothers encourages downtown residents and business owners to take a break from their routine and enjoy these incredible performances.

Evening concerts feature a range of talented musicians, including SLU students, alumni, faculty, and guest artist trumpeter Erik Jekabson. The full schedule is as follows:

• Monday, 4/7, 7:30 PM – University Jazz Lab Band (Studio Theatre, free admission)

• Tuesday, 4/8, 7:30 PM – University Jazz Combo Concert (Studio Theatre, free admission)

• Wednesday, 4/9, 7:30 PM – SLU Alumni Jazz Ensemble (Hainkel Hall, ticketed event)

• Friday, 4/11, 7:30 PM – SLU Jazz Faculty with Guest Artist Erik Jekabson (Hainkel Hall, ticketed event)

• Saturday, 4/12, 7:30 PM – SLU University Jazz Ensemble with Guest Artist Erik Jekabson (Hainkel Hall, free admission)

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“Bill established his own trio and changed, turned upside down on its head, the emphasis of the piano trio. In jazz prior to that, piano trio focused solely on the pianist and bass & drums or bass & guitar were in a supportive role... If you think Nat King Cole, everything was him playing piano and singing, the bass and guitar were very much in a supportive role for him… Bill’s trio was a trio of equals. Between the piano, the bass and the drums there was a musician interaction that was all equal between the three players. Here we are 60 something years later and that’s commonplace, but at that time in jazz history it was really revolutionary that he did that. That set the stage for the next great generation of jazz pianists like Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and the other players that came later in the 60s and into the 70s. His importance in Jazz History can’t be understated.”