Weatherford, OK – The Department of Music at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) will host the 56th Annual SWOSU Jazz Festival on February 19–20, 2026 in Weatherford. This festival is open to the public and will feature two days of concerts, clinics, and social events. The festival will feature acclaimed guest artists trombonist Andy Martin and the Stockton Helbing Trio, alongside the SWOSU Jazz Orchestra.
Festival events begin Thursday, Feb. 19, with a free public concert at 7 p.m. in the SWOSU Fine Arts Center Auditorium. Trombonist Andy Martin will be joined by the Stockton Helbing Trio for an evening of small-group jazz. A kickback will follow at 9 p.m. at the Best Western Plus Lobby Lounge, providing an informal space for conversation after the concert. Snacks will be provided by the SWOSU Music Department.
Friday’s schedule includes the SWOSU Big Band Festival, which runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bands from across the region will perform throughout the day and receive ratings and written comments from judges, many of whom are SWOSU alumni. The festival is non-competitive and open to middle school, junior high, high school, junior college, and university ensembles. Non-performing groups are encouraged to observe performances, clinics, and concerts. Admission to Big Band Festival events and clinics is free and open to the public.
Registration for the SWOSU Big Band Festival is open through Jan. 23, 2026. Participating bands will perform and receive ratings and comments from judges. Certificates will be awarded to outstanding high school or middle school soloists in each band, with two soloists receiving free tuition scholarships to a 2026 SWOSU Music camp of their choice. Registration details are available at www.swosu.jotform.com/252358241442857.
In addition to the Big Band Festival, Andy Martin will present free jazz clinics at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday in the Hilltop Theatre. The SWOSU Jazz Orchestra will perform concerts at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday in the SWOSU Fine Arts Center Auditorium, featuring Andy Martin and the Stockton Helbing Trio as guest artists. A Jazz Sip and Slide Happy Hour will also take place at 5:30 p.m. on Friday at the Timothy D. Day Business Enterprise Center.
Tickets for Friday concerts and the Jazz Sip and Slide Happy Hour are available for purchase at share.swosu.edu/swosujazzfest26.
The SWOSU Jazz Festival is generously supported by the SWOSU Foundation. Donations help provide participating high school bands with masterclasses and support guest artists and festival organizers. Those interested in supporting SWOSU Jazz can visit www.swosufoundation.com/give/give-to-swosu-jazz/.
For more information, contact Dr. Richard Tirk at Richard.tirk@swosu.edu or visit www.swosujazzfest.com.
About the Artists
Andy Martin is a nationally recognized jazz trombonist known for his work as a soloist, lead player, and educator. Based in Los Angeles, Martin has performed with major big bands including Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, the Tom Kubis Band, and the Bill Holman Big Band. His recording career spans jazz, television, and film, with appearances on more than 150 motion picture soundtracks and numerous television productions. Martin is also a frequent guest artist and clinician at colleges and universities across the United States.
The Stockton Helbing Trio features drummer and bandleader Stockton Helbing alongside pianist Peter Rioux and bassist James Driscoll. Helbing is an active performer, composer, and educator who has released eight albums as a leader and worked with artists such as Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, and Arturo Sandoval. Pianist Peter Rioux is rooted in blues and jazz traditions and has performed throughout Canada and the Dallas–Fort Worth area, collaborating with a wide range of jazz and blues artists. Bassist James Driscoll has been a fixture of the Dallas–Fort Worth jazz scene for more than two decades and has performed with nationally known musicians across jazz and commercial genres.
About Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves over 5,000 scholars and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.
For more information about Southwestern Oklahoma State University, visit swosu.edu.
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