KENNI HOLMEN is one of the most active recording and touring musicians from the Twin Cities area. Kenni has performed and recorded with many local, national and international artists over his twenty year career.

Kenni has performed with Michael Bolton, Celine Dion, Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett, T.C. Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Donny Osmond, The Rev. Billy Graham Crusade, The Glen Miller Orchestra, Doc Severinson, Garrison Keilor, The Minnesota Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra just to name a few. Kenni has recorded with Janet Jackson, Rod Stewart, Prince, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Ben Sidran, Baby Face, Mandy Moore, and many others.

In addition to recording album projects and jingles, Kenni also writes, co-produces and has performed with New Age artist Lorie Line since 1993. This includes a performance at The White House in the fall of 2000. Kenni was voted “Best Tenor Sax Player” by Twin Cities Reader magazine. Kenni is also featured with Prince’s horn section called “The HornHeads” who have toured throughout the United States and Europe since 1992.

Dr. Scott Agster has 15 years of experience teaching in higher education including:

Adjunct Professor of Low Brass at Anoka Ramsey Community College, Assistant Ensemble Department Head at McNally Smith College of Music, Adjunct Professor of Low Brass at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Adjunct Professor of Low Brass and Jazz Band at Concordia University, and Adjunct Professor of Jazz History at Normandale Community College

​During this time, Dr. Agster taught college courses in: Applied Low Brass, Improvisation, Ensembles, Arranging, Finale, Conducting, Pedagogy, Keyboard, Ear Training, Jazz History, and Music Appreciation.  He currently teaches private brass lessons at Breck School and Mount Olivet School of Music.

 Dr. Scott Agster remains active as a clinician, guest artist, and adjudicator.  He will be serving as director of the Minnesota All State Jazz Band in August of 2020.

Agster earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Trombone Performance from the University of Minnesota.  He also holds a Master of Music in Trombone Performance and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of North Texas.

Jeff Gottwig (trumpet) is a native of the pacific northwest.  Jeff is active as a clinician and adjudicator around the Midwest. He directed the Grammy Midwest Regional Honors High School Jazz Ensemble and has served as the State Chapter Vice-President of the International Association of Jazz Educators.

As an active musician around the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, Jeff works, or has worked, with many of the areas top groups including: the JazzMn Big Band (www.jazzmn.org), the Minnesota Orchestra, The Cedar Avenue Big Band,  The Fine Line Band,  Mick Sterling, The Wolverines,  The Minnesota Vikings Band,  The Minnesota State Fair Orchestra,  The Rupert's Orchestra,  The Sevilles,   Synergy, George Faber and the Icons,   The Brian Kinney Band, RockIt,  The Latin Sounds Orchestra,  Salsa Blanca, Sabor Tropicale and many other performance situations.  His credits as a sideman include Harry Connick Jr.,  Thad Jones,  Steve Allen,  Jon Faddis,  Bobby Shew, Steve Houghton, Bob Hope,  B.J.Thomas,  Tony Orlando And Dawn,  The Manhattan Transfer,  Bobby Vinton,  Marlene Ricci,  The Four Tops,  Otis Day,  The Marvelettes,  Al Wilson,  Sam And Dave,  Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme,  Dionne Warwick,  Burt Bacarach,  The Glen Miller Orchestra,   The Temptations,  Little Anthony and The Imperials,  Isaac Hayes,  Doc Severinson,  Ray Charles,  and has recorded with Janet Jackson.

Daniel Heier is a passionate drummer and teacher based out of Sioux Falls, SD. As an accomplished musician in jazz and commercial music, his talents have taken him on regional, national, and international tours. He is a member of the JAS Quintet who just released their second album, Bird Ritual Interrupted, and the Jazz Curators. Daniel has also shared the stage or studio with the Hegg Brothers, Jami Lynn, The Psalms Project, Geoff Gunderson, Phil Mattson, The South Dakota Symphony, The Diamonds, and many more. Daniel currently serves with the 147th Army Band in Mitchell, SD.

​Daniel is an active private lesson teacher and clinician. His students consistently play in honor bands, jazz bands, garage bands, worship teams and drum lines. He has recently adjudicated or presented clinics at the Augustana University Jazz on the Upper Great Plains Festival, Morningside College Middle School Jazz Festival, South Dakota Middle School All State Band, Case School of Music Day of Percussion and many regional schools.

 Daniel graduated Summa Cum Laude from McNally Smith College of Music in Saint Paul, MN with a Bachelors of Music in Percussion Performance. There he studied under percussion greats Marv Dahlgren, Gordy Knudtson, David Stanoch, Kevin Washington, Dave Hanzel, Paul Stueber, David Schmalenberger, and more.

The oldest son of two lifelong music educators, composer and performer Jeremy Hegg was born in Dell Rapids, South Dakota and received his music degree from Augustana University in Sioux Falls.

Jeremy has worked as the staff arranger and composer for the Augustana Brass Choir, the Sioux Falls Municipal Band, several United States Air Force musical ensembles, and high school marching band programs, symphony orchestras, and churches throughout the country. Jeremy also performed and lectured with the Jazz Diversity Project, an educational assembly program that toured schools throughout South Dakota for thirteen years.

As a performer Jeremy is known for his band Spooncat!, which has toured throughout the region since 1996 and has five albums of original music to its credit. He performs with his brother Jonathon in a variety of Hegg Brothers groups. In addition, Jeremy has performed around the country and throughout Europe with popular artists including Smokey Robinson, Chuck Berry, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, and Tommy Roe. In 2009 Jeremy co-founded Holiday Jam, an annual musical concert series that tours three states in November and December. Jeremy was a 2003 recipient of the Mayor’s Award for the Arts, and he is a multiple inductee in the Rock and Roll Halls of Fame in South Dakota and Iowa.

Jeremy joined the Augustana School of Music faculty in 2021. He lives in downtown Sioux Falls.

Andrew Reinartz is a musician and educator based in Sioux Falls, SD. Playing primarily upright and electric bass, he easily fits into a variety of styles including Jazz, Classical, Funk, R&B, Rock, and Folk. Andrew also does work as a producer, live/project studio recording & mixing engineer.

Also an avid educator, he teaches privately and as a guest clinician, as well as performing for over 50,000 students across South Dakota with the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society Jazz Diversity Project.

Amongst others, Andrew plays with JAS Quintet, Jazz Curators, Merry Martial, Dakota Jazz Collective, the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, Hegg Brothers Band, and Holiday Jam with the Hegg Brothers. He has also recorded and performs regularly with Jami Lynn, Darin Kaihoi, and plays guitar with Habeus Porpoise.

Andrew also works as Community Development Director for Arts South Dakota, a statewide grassroots service, education, and advocacy organization.

David Schmalenberger recently performed on drumset/percussion with the Laura Caviani trio, the Minnesota Orchestra, Connie Evingson, the Steeles, Garrison Keillor, Karrin Allyson, Marilyn Maye, the Joan Hutton Jazz Project, the Daisy Dillman Band, Chuck Lazarus, Take That Back!, Cantus, the Florida Orchestra, Rebel Fiddle, DAT Trio, and the Childrens Theatre Company. He also recently recorded with vocalist Connie Evingson (“Sweet Happy Life”), guitarist David Singley (“Good Hope”), trumpeter Chuck Lazarus (“Lovejoy” and “Merry and Bright”), the Laura Caviani trio with Chris Bates (“Mysterious Thelonius” and “Confluence”), Vicky Mountain and David Martin (“Play On”), and the Bill Simenson Jazz Orchestra (“Big Alpaca”). David is active as a clinician offering workshops in jazz, percussion, and world music. Schmalenberger has served as adjudicator/clinician for several jazz festivals, both regionally and nationally. He has also presented scholarly papers and clinics for the Percussive Arts Society, the Society for American Music, the Minnesota Music Educators Association, and the International Association of Jazz Education. Schmalenberger received his DMA in Percussion Performance and World Music from West Virginia University, Master of Music Degree in Orchestral Percussion from the University of Michigan, and Bachelors Degree in Jazz Studies from Capital University. Dr. David Schmalenberger is currently an adjunct faculty member at Augsburg University and Anoka Ramsey Community College in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. David also endorses Premier drums.

Laura Caviani has performed and recorded for over 15 years. The Minneapolis Star Tribune hailed her debut CD, Dreamlife as "...in a word, outstanding". Marian McPartland called it "...sparkling and inventive". Her second release, As One, was touted as "stunningly fresh" by Jazz Times. Her holiday album, Angels We Haven't Heard, was considered "this season's finest new jazz cd of holiday music" by the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The Star Tribune claimed her solo release, In Your Own Sweet Way was, "...poised right where the salon meets the saloon, with as much spunk as serenity." Going There, her fifth recording as a leader, is already receiving wide praise. Bob Protzman, Downbeat Contributor and WQLN-FM host called it "...piano trio jazz of the highest order."

As a sideman, Ms. Caviani has recorded and toured with the 2002 Grammy nominee Karrin Allyson (Concord Records) whose band, according to the Wall Street Journal, "...could waltz into any New York nightclub and tear up the joint...". Ms. Caviani has shared the stage with other greats as Toots Theilemans, Bob Mintzer, and Dave Liebman. Locally, she has recorded with numerous musicians, including Pete Whitman's Quintet and Xtet, and the jazz orchestra JazzMN, all on the

Jim is an active trumpet player based in Sioux Falls, SD. He is a graduate of South Dakota State University and works for the marketing firm, Fresh Produce. He is involved in several projects including Dakota Jazz Collective, which is recipient of a South Dakota Arts Council touring arts grant and has performed on the main stage at the Sioux Falls JazzFest as well as two live broadcasts on South Dakota Public Radio. He tours annually with the Hegg Brothers Holiday Jam. Jim also performs with the Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Society’s Jazz Diversity Project which educates young people about the importance of Jazz as America’s unique art form. The Jazz Diversity Project is now in its seventh season of touring and has performed for nearly 30,000 students. In addition, Speirs performs with Main Avenue Warehouse, the Sioux Empire Brass Society, freelances with several jazz ensembles. He also teaches a few young trumpet students, and is on the South Dakota Arts Council. 

Ben Harder has been involved in music nearly his whole life.  Originally from Hesston, Kansas, Ben began studying trombone and playing in band in middle school.  His passion for music and desire to educate led him to Bethel College, where he completed degrees in trombone performance and music education.  Following his student teaching, Ben won a graduate assistantship at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, where he earned a Masters in Jazz Studies Trombone Performance. 

During his career, Ben has had the pleasure of studying and performing with fantastic mentors, teachers, and musicians including: Jim Pisano, Timothy Shade, Paul McKee, Leon Anderson, Bill Peterson, Jose Carrasco, Bob Mintzer, Victor Goines, and many others.  He has had the pleasure of teaching students in Kansas, Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin, and South Dakota.  

Ben loves jazz and is passionate about sharing music with students and audiences wherever he goes.  In addition to teaching, Ben loves the Kansas City Royals, cooking, long distance running, and disc golf.  He lives in central Sioux Falls with his wife Susan, two children, Roy and Evelyn, and their two cats.  

Joel is an active freelance saxophone player and educator based in Sioux Falls, SD. As an artists he regularly composes, arranges and performs with many groups in the region, as well as groups of his own creation. As an educator he has a large private studio, teaches at various camps and clinics bands around the area. He performs regularly with The JAS Quintet, The Hegg Brothers, The Jazz Diversity Project, The Jazz Curators, Habeas Porpoise, Jami Lynn, Holiday Jam and many other groups in the area.

Reuben Rodriguez is a dynamic bassist and genre-blending artist from Sioux Falls. Drawing from funk, R&B, jazz, and alternative pop, he brings infectious grooves and rich collaboration to every performance—continuing to shape and energize the city’s evolving music scene.

Elevate Your Students. Inspire Their Future.

At our festival, we believe the best way to grow young musicians is to put them in the room with greatness. That’s why we bring in national-level jazz artists — seasoned professionals who have spent years performing, recording, and teaching at the highest levels.

Why Directors Love This Festival

🎷 Real Jazz, Real Musicians

Your students won’t just hear great jazz — they’ll experience it up close. Our guest artists perform, teach, and interact throughout the day, setting a professional standard that motivates students long after the festival ends.

🎶 Masterclass-Level Learning

Clinicians dig into the things that matter most to directors and players alike: tone, style, time feel, improvisation, and ensemble balance. Students receive personalized, actionable feedback from people who do this for a living.

💡 Inspiration Meets Education

When young musicians see what dedication and artistry look like in person, it changes their perspective. They come back to your band room fired up, practicing more, listening more, and striving for more.

🎤 Beyond the Notes

Our clinicians also open the curtain on what it means to pursue a career in jazz — from touring and recording to education and entrepreneurship. For students considering music in college or beyond, these conversations are priceless.

The Bottom Line

This isn’t just another festival. It’s a transformative experience that reignites passion — for your students and for you as an educator.

Bring your band. Watch them grow. Leave inspired.

Why a Non-Competitive Festival Matters

Our festival isn’t about trophies — it’s about music that moves people. We believe jazz should be celebrated, not judged. That’s why our event focuses on artistry, collaboration, and growth rather than scores and rankings.

🎶 A Celebration of Jazz in All Its Forms

From swing to funk to modern fusion, our festival highlights the full spectrum of jazz expression. Students perform alongside peers, hear incredible ensembles, and experience the joy of making music in a supportive, high-energy environment.

💡 Freedom to Create and Explore

Without the stress of competition, musicians can take risks, try new ideas, and truly listen to each other. Directors love the shift — students relax, open up musically, and start creating instead of just “performing.” The result? Real artistry and authentic jazz.

🤝 Building Community Through Music

This festival brings together students, directors, pros, and jazz fans from across the region. It’s a gathering of people who love this art form and want to see it thrive. The day is filled with collaboration, mentorship, and connection — the kind of environment that reminds everyone why we started doing this in the first place.

The Power of the Jazz Jam

There’s nothing quite like a live jazz jam. It’s where the music comes alive — unrehearsed, unfiltered, and full of energy. For students, it’s one of the most powerful ways to see and feel what jazz is all about.

🎷 Learning by Listening

At our jam sessions, students get a front-row seat to the essence of jazz — musicians communicating in real time, trading ideas, and building spontaneous moments of magic. They see how melody, rhythm, and harmony interact on the fly — lessons you can’t fully teach in a classroom.

🎶 Expanding Musical Horizons

Jams bring together players from every corner of the jazz world — pros, educators, and students — all with unique voices. This mix exposes young musicians to new sounds, styles, and improvisational approaches that open their ears and stretch their creativity.

🔥 Fuel for Inspiration

There’s an electricity in the air during a great jam — the kind that makes students want to rush home and practice. Hearing skilled improvisers take chances and create something from nothing shows them what’s possible, sparking a deeper love for the art form and a hunger to grow.