For the second year in a row, Walker West Music Academy is at the helm of the beloved Selby Avenue JazzFest, happening Friday through Sunday, September 12–14, at the intersection of Selby and Milton in St. Paul. Festival hours run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and as always admission is free.
This year’s lineup showcases both national and local talent, with a special focus on Walker West faculty and students, giving young performers valuable experience on stage. Featured artists include Cory Henry & the Funk Apostles, The Yuko Mabuchi Trio, Heyarlo, Brio Bass, the Walker West Jazz Ensemble, and the Selby Avenue Brass Band. Full bios and schedule details are available at selbyavejazzfest.com/line-up.
In addition to world-class music, festivalgoers can enjoy food trucks, a village market, and a family fun zone. “Bring a chair and be prepared to be entertained,” the festival promises.
Masterclasses expand the experience
The celebration kicks off early with a Friday night masterclass, “Jazz, Tech & The Future: Shaping the Sound of Now,” featuring Kris Johnson, Q Million Riddim, and Room3Jazz. That event takes place September 12, from 5-8 p.m. at Walker West.
On Sunday, September 14, from 3-5 p.m., Grammy-winning keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist Cory Henry leads another free masterclass at Walker West. Both sessions are open to the public, but seating is limited and requires registration at selbyavejazzfest.com/masterclass.
A community legacy
Founded in 2002 by Michael Wright and his wife Stephanie, then-owners of Golden Thyme Coffee & Café, the Selby Avenue JazzFest has grown into a signature St. Paul event, drawing more than 12,000 attendees each year. In 2023, Wright invited Walker West Music Academy to take the lead in producing the festival. Wright remains involved as a consultant, while Walker West’s executive director Braxton Haulcy sees the partnership as a natural fit.
“Taking JazzFest aligned with our strategic plan,” Haulcy says. “We want to be out there performing. We’re sending our kids and teachers into the community to perform on behalf of Walker West. There are two ways people heal and benefit from music: by learning it and by listening to it. Those two anchors will continue to drive Walker West forward.”
Walker West’s growth and vision
Walker West Music Academy, founded in 1988 by Rev. Carl Walker and Grant West, is one of the oldest community music schools in the country established by African American musicians. Located at 650 Marshall Avenue, the academy serves more than 300 students per week, with 570 participants per activity, ranging in age from five to adult. Instruction spans genres from classical to gospel, with a special emphasis on jazz and improvisational music.
Earlier this year, Walker West entered a new chapter, moving into a state-of-the-art facility featuring acoustically treated studios, rehearsal rooms, performance spaces, and fully accessible design. The investment represents the academy’s ongoing commitment to making high-quality music education both affordable and accessible.
With its mission rooted in community, education and artistry, Walker West’s leadership of the Selby Avenue JazzFest ensures that this beloved tradition continues to thrive, celebrating jazz not just as music but also as a vehicle for healing, connection and joy.
Robin James welcomes reader responses at jamesonjazz@spokesman-recorder.com