Maplerock Jazz Festival at Ashland JANE MONHEIT, headliner Ashland University’s award-winning jazz program is proud to present the *2018 Maplerock Jazz Festival *slated for *Friday, March 16*. Along with free performances by area high school jazz ensembles from 10:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the event presents a main stage concert at 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre which features acclaimed Grammy-nominated vocalist *Jane Monheit* <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?AshlandUniversityMus/a28d831dd5/TEST/bff207a15a>. *Tickets: *$10 adults | $5 seniors, non-AU students, AU faculty/staff | FREE for AU students - *419.289.5125*, 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Mon - Fri - or online (add'l fees apply) at *ashland.edu/tickets <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?AshlandUniversityMus/a28d831dd5/TEST/5ce562ddad/t=tix&e=bc01eb4315b04259f205a8b2173f95d4&vqitq=9448dd5f-8a75-4def-acf2-c3f29fb3a374&vqitp=88099409-9d96-4abb-a9fa-7a92149c03d3&vqitts=1520527072&vqitc=vendini&vqite=itl&vqitrt=Safetynet&vqith=053edf646edfca75ea70c112ee25bfe6>* Monheit will perform as the headliner of the Jazz Festival’s evening concert, which will open with the *Ashland University Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock*. Ashland High School alumnus Chip Stephens <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?AshlandUniversityMus/a28d831dd5/TEST/8929eb2c24>, piano; Rich Shanklin <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?AshlandUniversityMus/a28d831dd5/TEST/717189b08d>, saxophone; and Bob Bonora <http://cts.vresp.com/c/?AshlandUniversityMus/a28d831dd5/TEST/b85cd26362>, drums, will join Monheit as guest artists on the evening program. Blessed with “a voice of phenomenal beauty” (Stephen Holden, New York Times), Jane Monheit has had plenty of milestone moments in establishing herself as one of today’s best and most important vocalist-musicians. From being labeled a musical prodigy to her first runner-up finish in 1998’s Thelonious Monk International Vocal Competition, her ingénue looks and passion for the *Great American Songbook* led her to producing *Songbook Sessions: Ella Fitzgerald*, her tenth studio recording since her 2000 debut, *Never Never Land*. Monheit explains, "The Great American Songbook is always going to be the core for me. I have a real sense of pride and purpose about keeping it alive, bringing the music to new generations. It’s a national treasure. I’m really proud to be one of the singers that people want to hear handling that material.” The guest artists will workshop directly with the ELEVEN area school bands that will perform earlier in the day in Hugo Young Theatre according to the following schedule: - 10:45 a.m. *Foundation Academy* Jazz Band - 11:10 a.m. *Ashland* High School Jazz Band B - 11:35 a.m. * Lake *High School Jazz Band - 12:00 p.m. *Rittman* High School Jazz Band - 12:25 p.m. BREAK - 12:50 p.m. *Ashland* High School Jazz Band A - 1:15 p.m. *GlenOak* High School Jazz Band I - 1:40 p.m. *Crestview* High School Jazz Band - 2:05 p.m. *Galion* High School Jazz Band - 2:30 p.m. *GleanOak* High School Jazz Band II - 2:55 p.m. *Crestwood* High School Jazz Band - 3:20 p.m. *Brecksville-Broadview Hts* Jazz Ensemble