Maps
Download a map of MiraCosta's campus and/or a closeup map of the Concert Hall area.
Parking
There is plenty of public parking at MiraCosta College near the Concert Hall. Bus dropoff in Lot 2B, bus and car parking in Lot 2A
History
The first Oceanside Jazz Festival was held in March 2007 in the MiraCosta Campus Theatre, in the inaugural year of the Frequency Vocal Jazz Program. The event featured four San Diego County community college vocal jazz ensembles and special guest “Epicenter” from Cal State Northridge, who participated in an educational workshop and a joint concert.
Under the direction of Matt Falker, the vocal festival has now expanded to three days and became open to all middle school, high school, college, and community vocal jazz ensembles, large and small.
Each vocal ensemble has the opportunity to perform in a supportive non-competitive environment with up to 24 wireless microphones. Professional clinicians provide commentary and each group receives a DVD of their performance. In addition, workshops and guest artist performances are featured throughout the weekend. The vocal festival culminates in evening concerts featuring Frequency Vocal Jazz and special guest artists.
Beginning in 2010, the Oceanside Jazz Festival added an instrumental festival, which will be held in the newly opened MiraCosta Concert Hall and Creative Arts Complex. Under the direction of Steve Torok, the band festival is co-hosted by the MiraCosta Orchestra Jazz Orchestra (MOJO) and the MiraCosta Jazz Collective, both under the direction of instrumental faculty director Steve Torok. The festival is open to big bands, combos, and ensembles of all sizes and age ranges, and also features the same supportive non-competitive environment, professional clinicians, and a DVD of each performance. The instrumental festival culminates in evening concerts featuring MOJO and the Jazz Collective with special guest artists.
Previous instrumental guest artists include: Mike Stern, Ernie Watts, Benny Golson, Brian Bromberg, Fred Wesley, and Tom Scott.
Previous vocal guest artists include: New York Voices, Take 6, m-pact, Highline, True North, Groove for Thought, Vertical Voices, Vocalogy, Sara Gazarek, Karrin Allyson, Gretchen Parlato, Kim Nazarian, Kate Reid, John Proulx, Leonard Patton, Carol Welsman, UNT Jazz Singers from the University of North Texas, Pacific Standard Time from CSU Long Beach, and Extensions from the University of Miami.
