The University of Northern Iowa is bringing a jazz band to Washington to work with local students and perform a concert, under the direction of a 1982 Washington alum.

Director of jazz studies at UNI Christopher Merz shares what he hopes the students take away from the experience, “When I was growing up in Washington, the opportunities for a life in jazz or a life in music seemed so remote. It seemed like that’s for kids from Chicago, or that’s for kids from New York, or Los Angeles, you know, urban centers, that’s not for kids from the cornfield. And what I want kids to see is that my band, which is made up almost entirely of Iowa natives, is the equal of any of the regional jazz bands.” Merz will be conducting workshops with the current Washington Middle School and High School jazz bands, and then holding a concert.

The Generations of Jazz concert begins at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Washington Area Performing Arts and Events Center and tickets are $10 for students and $15 for adults.