GALESBURG, ILLINOIS (May 4, 2026) — The 46th annual Knox-Rootabaga Jazz Festival kicks off Tuesday, May 5, and runs through Saturday, May 9, bringing together Knox College, the Galesburg community, and local and renowned performers. Faculty, alumni, students, and guest artists perform daily at various community venues.
The main event is Saturday, May 9, at the Orpheum Theatre, featuring The Baga Big Band, directed by Justin Haynes ('04). Big Band Night starts at 6:30PM and also includes the Rootabaga High School All-Star Band and the Knox Jazz Ensemble.
"I've been waiting to do this for a while," said Andy Crawford ('00), managing director of Knox College's music performance program.
"Justin is a great composer and arranger, and I really want to showcase what he does because he is such a big part of what we do here. He's a great director and great with the students, so it's going to be a lot of fun."
Joining Haynes are 2024 Rootabaga headliner Victor Garcia, saxophonist Greg Ward, and Doug Stone, associate professor of jazz studies at Louisiana State University.
Vocalist Alyssa Allgood, a DownBeat magazine "Rising Star Female Vocalist" and Chicago Reader poll winner, headlines the week. Her sextet, with Victor Garcia and Greg Ward, performs Friday, May 8, at Smokin' Willies BBQ at 7PM and 9PM, and on Saturday, May 9, with The Baga Big Band.
"Greg Ward and Victor Garcia have both been here a number of times with their own projects and with other bands, and Alyssa was here for our Fall Jazz Series last year. It'll be great to feature her for Rootabaga," Crawford said.
On Friday, May 8, the Galesburg High School bands open at 6PM. Doug Stone joins the Cherry Street Combo at 8PM, between Allgood's performances.
"Friday night is always a fun night, we have the high school band playing, then Alyssa will headline with her band," Crawford said.
Jazz School Tour Makes its eleventh year
Rootabaga also continues its tradition of live jazz and educational outreach in area schools. On Tuesday, May 5, and Wednesday, May 6, the eleventh annual Jazz School Tour will visit six local schools. The Doug Stone Quartet — Stone, Crawford, Jason Brannon, and Whitney Ashe — will perform and lead educational sessions. On Tuesday at 7PM, the group also plays a joint concert with the United High School bands in Monmouth.
"Doug is a wonderful sax player; he's been in New Orleans for a number of years, and before that in New York and Chicago. He's originally from Peoria, so I've known him since he was in high school. It'll be great to reconnect and play together again," Crawford said.
On Wednesday, May 6, 6-10PM, at Smokin' Willies BBQ, the festival highlights local young musicians: Galesburg Junior High, Canton Senior High, and ROWVA Senior High bands, plus The Jammers Big Band (local musicians) and Cherry Street Combo (Knox students) featuring Doug Stone.
On Thursday, May 7, the Knox Faculty and Friends Jam Session, a Rootabaga tradition since 1995, gathers Knox faculty and regional jazz musicians at Smokin' Willies.
"Thursday night features our talented faculty of the College and our friends, musicians from the area, including the Quad Cities and Peoria," Crawford said. "Friday and Saturday nights are the big shows, but Thursday is a fan favorite for people who have been following the festival for years. They get to see a lot of familiar faces. This year, we have fifteen musicians lined up for the faculty and friends jam."
