AREA JAZZ BANDS AT CENTRAL HIGH FESTIVAL SATURDAY

Nineteen jazz bands from Southeast Missouri will perform Saturday at Cape Girardeau Central High School's 17th annual Jazz Festival.

Performances begin at 9:30 a.m. and continue through 5 p.m., with a break for lunch. The festival is open to the public and admission is free at the high school auditorium.

The Jackson High School Jazz Band will perform at 3:30 p.m., followed by the Central band at 4 p.m. and concluding with the Southeast Missouri State University Jazz Band at 4:30 p.m.

Ron Nall, Central High band director, said those who attend the festival will hear first-class jazz music. The bands will be competing for a rating given by judges, including local musicians Jerry Ford and Barry Bernhardt.

Among other area bands performing are Perryville, Farmington, Charleston, Ste. Genevieve, Potosi and Doniphan and several from the St. Louis area.