MARQUETTE, Mich.—Vocalist Kevin Mahogany will be the featured artist at the 14th Annual Northern Michigan University Jazz Festival on Friday, April 16. He will perform with the NMU jazz band and combo in a festival concert at 7:30 p.m. in Kaufman Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for the general public, $5 for NMU students and $7 for other students. They can be purchased at all NMU EZ Ticket outlets.

Mahogany has been praised for his versatility, from blues and ballads to soul, gospel and novelty songs. He can also scat. A Kansas City native, Mahogany is featured as a leader on 11 CDs. He was a guest artist on Eastwood After Hours, a Clint Eastwood ensemble project performed and recorded live at Carnegie Hall, and on T.S. Monk’s tribute to his father.  He also portrayed a character inspired by Big Joe Turner in the Robert Altman film Kansas City.

During the daytime festival at NMU, Mahogany will present two educational clinics that are free and open to the public. Times have not been determined. Call the music department at 227-2563 for more information. High school and middle school jazz bands and combos from throughout the region have been invited to participate in the festival, which includes performances, clinics and a jam session.

A pre-festival concert by the NMU Faculty and Friends Jazz Combo is scheduled for 8 p.m. Thursday, April 15, in Reynolds Recital Hall. There is no charge to attend.