Ann Arbor Jazz Festival Brings Together Students, Musicians for Free Weekend of Music and Learning

Free music filled Ann Arbor last weekend as the 2025 A2 Jazz Fest took over the First Congregational Church and The Ravens Club. Musicians from across Michigan shared their craft through shows and teaching sessions on September 27-28.

Music teachers gave students hands-on training in packed workshops. Sean Dobbins from Indiana University's Jacobs School led Saturday's class. Rob Bickley, a local instructor, took charge on Sunday. The students later stepped onto the stage to show off their new skills.

"Jazz is community, really," said bassist Laura-Simone Martin, according to The Michigan Daily. "It's all an oral tradition that's only possible by learning from others and teaching people and passing it on."

At the church, crowds swayed to the beats of Indiana University's Student Jazz Ensemble. The Laura-Simone Quartet and Rick Roe Trio followed with stirring sets. Meanwhile, The Ravens Club pulsed with music from Kenji Lee's Fortune-Teller Quartet, the Aya Sekine Group, and Arnold/Jassi/Kramer.

Blue LLama Jazz Club's artistic chief Dave Sharp, who started A2 Jazz Fest, stressed teaching as key. "I'm looking forward to continuing the educational programs and involving more community of all ages," Sharp said to The Michigan Daily.

The festival's final day brought the Jeff Haas Quintet and Theo Croker to the church stage. Jesse Kramer capped off the night, leading an electric jam session at The Ravens Club.

Student Alain Zhou picked up more than just music tips. "It was interesting to see the professor interacting with the students and giving pointers, and also it's a way for non-jazz listeners to understand a little bit more," Zhou told The Michigan Daily.

The festival has built strong bonds with the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, the Michigan Firehouse Museum, and the Refugia Festival. Anna Gersh, who runs the behind-the-scenes work, shared her thoughts: "It's really important for us to gather around something that we all can appreciate and have a meaningful human connection to," she told The Michigan Daily.

Since its start in 2016, this music fest keeps its doors open to all—no tickets needed. Year after year, it brings fresh sounds while teaching new skills to eager minds in Ann Arbor's thriving music scene.