Faculty help organize Equinox Jazz Festival New festival celebrates history, community, and collaboration as part of 250Lex
This September, Lexington will host a large-scale jazz festival with the launch of the Equinox Jazz Festival, presented by Origins Jazz Series as part of the city’s 250th anniversary celebration, 250 Lex. Running September 17–21, the festival brings together University of Kentucky faculty and alumni, internationally recognized performers, and community partners for five days of concerts, discussions, and events that honor both jazz’s future and Lexington’s musical past.
Founded by Eli Uttal-Veroff, lecturer in the UK School of Music, and collaborators at Origins Jazz Series, the festival extends the organization’s mission of connecting local audiences to world-class jazz. Uttal-Veroff serves as co-director and co-founder of Origins, which has become a hub for jazz in a city long known for its rich musical talent.
“When I moved to Lexington in 2015, I was surprised there weren’t more dedicated jazz clubs given the talent here and UK’s deep jazz tradition,” said Uttal-Veroff. “We created Origins Jazz Series to bridge that gap—bringing people together the way clubs do in larger cities. Equinox Jazz Festival is the next step, a way to showcase Lexington’s role in the national jazz story while celebrating the creativity happening right here.”
In addition to headlining concerts—including NEA Jazz Master Kenny Garrett, Grammy-nominated drummer Nate Smith, and vocalist Kandace Springs—the festival features film screenings, panel discussions, and community gatherings. One highlight will explore the Narcotic Farm, America’s first drug rehab prison, where jazz flourished in the mid-20th century through unlikely collaborations between inmates and visiting musicians.
UK School of Music faculty will be at the heart of the festival, with the Osland Dailey Jazztet (Miles Osland, Raleigh Dailey, Paul Deatherage, and alumnus Danny Cecil) featured in a marquee performance with guest vocalist Rose Colella. Numerous UK graduates, including Dr. Keith McCutchen, Kirby Davis, Cara Thomas, and Dr. Rich Byrd, also appear throughout the lineup.
Equinox Jazz Festival continues Origins Jazz Series’ history of collaboration with community partners, including UK’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), with whom they’ve co-presented concerts and courses. “This is more than a music festival—it’s a community celebration,” said Uttal-Veroff. “We want Lexingtonians of all ages to experience jazz not just as performance, but as conversation, history, and connection.”
For a detailed look at the Festival Schedule, ticketing information and more visit www.originsjazz.org/equinox-jazz-festival.
Osland Dailey Jazztet (Miles Osland, Raleigh Dailey, Paul Deatherage, and alumnus Danny Cecil)