45th Annual UMN Morris Jazz Fest Friday, April 10, 2026
Clinics: Morning & Afternoon Performances/Clinics are free & open to the public
Jazz Improvisation Clinic Handout
Evening Concert: 6:30 p.m., Edson Auditorium in the Edward J. and Helen Jane Morrison Performing Arts Center
2026 UMM Jazz Fest Featured Artists: DARUMA (Friday, April 10th)
DARUMA is a nationally touring band whose music speaks to the 21st century through a potent blend of improvisation, electronics, driving grooves, and evocative cinematic textures. They have performed at the Kennedy Center, were recently named 2025 Creative Capital finalists, won the 2024 South Arts Jazz Road touring grant, were commissioned by The Cultural Landscape Foundation to premiere their new music at the Bruce Museum, and were artists in residence at the Avaloch Farm Music Institute.
The band has performed throughout the US and has been featured on NPR, PBS, and CBS broadcast TV. Members of the band have performed with leading voices in contemporary music including Billy Childs, the Colorado Symphony Orchestra , Big Gigantic, Tia Fuller, and Theo Croker, at notable venues including Birdland, the Blue Note Amsterdam, Dodger Stadium, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and have won ASCAP and Downbeat awards.
Saturday, April 11, 2026, Jazz Crawl
Gauchos del Tango
- Featuring: Accordionist Michael Ward-Bergeman with UMM faculty Dustin Retzlaff & Yulene Velásquez
- Venue: Jazz Brunch at Prime Steakhouse
- Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Details: French Music and Menu Theme! Free admission, reservations recommended.
Motu United
- Venue: Common Cup Coffee Shop
- Time: 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm
- Details: A Fergus Falls-based Caribbean/jazz/cover band playing a wide variety of music. No cover charge.
Twin Cities Hot Club
- Venue: Old No. 1 Bar & Grill (Southside)
- Time: 7:00 pm
Details: The Twin Cities Hot Club (TCHC) represents Minnesota in the burgeoning revival of gypsy jazz originally popularized by Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli and the Hot Club of France. They recreate not only the famous la pompe that distinguishes this romantic brand of acoustic jazz but also gypsy bossanova, musette, bolero, and swing. TCHC perform this timeless deep-rooted music that is physical, alive and speaks directly to the heart.
About the Director:
UMN Morris alumnus Dustin Retzlaff returned to Morris in the fall of 2025 to direct the Jazz Ensembles and annual UMM Jazz Fest. He teaches courses in jazz studies, double bass, composition, and also is the director of the AgCountry Challenge youth program at UMN Morris. Dustin is an active jazz performer in the region and studied music at the University of Minnesota, the University of South Carolina School of Music, and the University of Northern Colorado. He is also a registered piano technician with www.ptg.org, and has trained at Steinway & Sons piano factory in New York City. Prior to returning to the Morris area, he ran several small businesses and performed in many jazz festivals, private concerts, studio recording sessions, and many jazz clubs in South Carolina and other cities on the Atlantic coast.
For more information about the UMM Jazz Festival - contact Dustin Retzlaff