April 16, 2026
Adam Larson Quartet to headline annual event on April 24 and 25
Don’t fret. The St. Mary’s University 2026 Fiesta Jazz Festival is back.
The annual event, scheduled for Friday, April 24, and Saturday, April 25, will feature national, local and school-age artists. This year, the Gold and Blue Note Jazz Club will be in the Bill Greehey Arena and host the 2026 Fiesta Jazz Festival University Invitational.
Saxophonist and composer Adam Larson and his quartet will headline Friday evening.
“Come and show your support for the 63rd annual Fiesta Jazz Festival,” said Director of Jazz Studies Adrian Ruiz, D.M.A. “This is an excellent performance opportunity for area middle school, high school and college programs.”
The event is free and open to the public. Parking will also be free and open on campus.
Friday, April 24
On Friday, April 24, the invitational will begin at 10 a.m. It will include performances by the Trinity University Jazz Ensemble, the St. Mary’s Jazz Combo and the St. Mary’s University Jazz Orchestra.
At 6 p.m., the Fiesta World Class Jazz Concert will feature the St. Mary’s University Faculty Jazz Sextet, followed by the Adam Larson Quartet at 7:30 p.m.
Throughout the day, the 63rd Fiesta Middle School Jazz Band Festival will take place at the Alumni Athletics & Convocation Center (AA&CC), Movement Studio.
More about headliner Adam Larson
Larson — a saxophonist, composer and author — earned degrees from the Manhattan School of Music in 2014, playing in the New York City jazz scene for more than a decade before moving to Kansas City.
In 2015, Larson’s quartet was selected as one of 10 ensembles to tour on behalf of the U.S. State Department’s American Music Abroad, touring Africa for 35 days and visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Benin and Ghana.
Having released nine albums and written 12 books, Larson also keeps a busy touring schedule while presenting as a guest at universities around the world. His more recent album, Push to Exit, was released in 2025.
Saturday, April 25
On Saturday, April 25, area high school bands will participate in their version of the 63rd Fiesta Jazz Band Festival, which will also take place in the (AA&CC), Movement Studio.
At noon that day, Larson is scheduled to have a Jazz Clinic with the students in the Bill Greehey Area.
Saturday’s live music performances allow schools from Texas and other states to participate and perform before a panel of jazz clinicians. Trophies and awards will be presented in various categories.
Schedule of Events
Friday, April 24
The Gold and Blue Note Jazz Club in the Bill Greehey Arena:
- 10 a.m., Texas State University Latin Ensemble
- 11 a.m., Northwest Visa College Jazz Combo
- Noon, Northwest Vista College Jazz Ensemble
- 1 p.m., Trinity University Jazz Ensemble
- 2 p.m., UTSA Jazz Ensemble
- 3 p.m., St. Mary’s University AM Jazz Combo
- 5 p.m., St. Mary’s University PM Jazz Combo
- 6 p.m., St. Mary’s University Faculty Jazz Sextet
- 7:30 p.m., The Adam Larson Quartet
Fiesta Middle School Jazz Band Festival in the AA&CC, Movement Studio
- 8 a.m., John Greenleaf Whittier Middle School
- 8:25 a.m., Christa McAuliffe Middle School
- 8:50 a.m., Harlandale Middle School
- 9:15 a.m., Ronald McNair Middle School
- 9:40 a.m., Kirby Middle School
- 10:05 a.m., Judith Resnik Middle School
- 10:30 a.m., Floresville Middle School
- 10:55 a.m., Capt. Mark Tyler Voss Middle School
- 11:20 a.m., Boerne Middle School North
- Noon, lunch
- 1:15 p.m., Marble Falls Middle School
- 1:40 p.m., Francis Scobee Middle School
- 2:05 p.m., Los Obispos Middle School
- 2:30 p.m., Bradley Middle School II
- 2:55 p.m., Lamar Middle School
- 3:20 p.m., Bradley Middle School I
- 4 p.m., Awards Ceremony
Saturday, April 25
High School Jazz Band Festival in the AA&CC, Movement Studio
- 8 a.m., San Antonio Christian High School Jazz Combo
- 8:25 a.m., San Antonio Christian High School II
- 8:50 a.m., Poteet High School
- 9:15 a.m., Jourdanton High School
- 9:40 a.m., Memorial High School
- 10:05 a.m., San Antonio Christian High School I
- 10:30 a.m., Marble Falls High School
- 10:55 a.m., Wagner High School III
- 11:20 a.m., Generations Jazz Orchestra (Exhibition)
- 1:15 p.m., Coronado High School Combo
- 1:40 p.m., Wagner High School II
- 2:05 p.m., Sonia Sotomayor High School
- 2:30 p.m., Harker Heights High School
Bill Greehey Arena
- 8 a.m., Sidney Lanier High School
- 8:25 a.m., Southside High School
- 8:50 a.m., Thomas Jefferson High School
- 9:15 a.m., Karen J. Wagner High School
- 9:40 a.m., New Braunfels High School
- 10:05 a.m., Elgin High School
- 10:30 a.m., C.C. Winn High School
- 10:55 a.m., Lubbock High School
- 11:20 a.m., Coronado High School
- Noon, Jazz Clinic with the Adam Larson Quartet
- 1:15 p.m., Judson High School
- 1:40 p.m., Harker Heights High School
- 2:05 p.m., Canyon High School
- 2:30 p.m., Central Catholic High School
- 4 p.m., Jazz Orchestra of San Antonio
- 4:45 p.m., Awards Ceremony