The 2026 Eau Claire Jazz Festival Concert Series proudly presents a thrilling weekend of jazz featuring two of the art form’s most celebrated performers: trumpeter Byron Stripling and trombonist Wycliffe Gordon.
Internationally recognized for their virtuosity, warmth, and deep connection to jazz tradition, Stripling and Gordon bring an unmatched blend of technical mastery and joyful expression to the stage. They will be joined by the GRAMMY®-nominated UW–Eau Claire Jazz Ensemble I in a special collaborative performance that also features outstanding student category winners from the Eau Claire Jazz Festival, taking place on the UW–Eau Claire campus that same weekend.
Byron Stripling, former lead trumpeter with the legendary Count Basie Orchestra, is known for his brilliant tone, wide-ranging versatility, and magnetic stage presence. Equally at home in jazz clubs and concert halls, he has performed with many of the world’s leading orchestras and jazz ensembles.
Wycliffe Gordon, longtime member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, is widely regarded as one of today’s premier trombonists. A dynamic performer, composer, and educator, Gordon is celebrated for performances that honor jazz history while bringing fresh energy to every stage.
Together, Stripling and Gordon promise an unforgettable Concert Series experience—one that bridges generations, celebrates excellence, and places students alongside world-class artists in a defining moment of the Eau Claire Jazz Festival.
