The interior of the Vicksburg Convention Center was filled with the sound of music as musicians with high school and college jazz ensembles tuned and warmed up their instruments in preparation for performances during Alcorn State University’s 38th annual Jazz Festival.

In the convention center’s exhibition hall, a jazz number with a Latin beat serenaded the people seated and awaiting the 9:30 a.m. start of the performances and the stage crew making the final adjustments to speakers, amplifiers, microphones and music stands in preparation for the first group.

Ten high school and college jazz ensembles were scheduled to perform during the day, leading up to the performance of renowned jazz composer, pianist and Grammy Award winner Chick Corea to close the festival.

For some schools, it was a repeat performance from earlier festival appearances. For others, like Warren Central’s Jazz Ensemble, it was their first.

“They’ve (Warren Central) had the jazz ensemble for many years, but this is the first time to appear at the festival,” ensemble director Kevin Mullen said. “I’ve been here at the festival nine times, in high school and college as a musician, but this is my first time directing.”

He said he applied to Alcorn to have the band perform.

The ensemble played three selections — “Tiger,” “Misty” and “Orange Drink.”

“Misty,” Mullen said, “Was the one (piece) I was scared of most.

“It’s hard to go really soft and slow on a tune like that, but they did it really, really well.”

The students, he said, were excited to perform “because this was our second performance of the year; we have one more.

“They loved it; it’s a good chance for them to go around and have new ears listen to them.”

Kylar Farrar, who plays trombone, said performing at the festival “was interesting. It was a great experience.”

Alexis McBroom, who plays trumpet, said the festival offered a good opportunity to be able to play for a different audience. Farrar and McBroom are first year members of the ensemble.

How did playing in the ensemble compare with marching on the field?

“When you’re marching, it’s a lot of staccato,” Kyle said. “With jazz, you just groove with the music.”