An all-star cast of jazz musicians will gather from Saturday through Monday to pay tribute to innovative jazz artist Joe Henderson. The California Institute for the Preservation of Jazz (CIPJ) is bringing its 4th Annual All-State Collegiate Jazz Festival to Sacramento State for the first time in its brief history.

Top talent from 16 California State University campuses will gather in Capistrano Hall to perform the music of a multifaceted talent who hasn’t received the attention of more celebrated contemporary artists.

Over the three day festival, the All-State Collegiate Jazz Ensemble, the All-State Collegiate Rhythm Sections, the All-State Collegiate Vocal Jazz Ensemble, the Sac State Jazz Ensemble and the Sac State Jazz Singers will perform.

There will also be guest performances by veteran jazz artists and educators such as Warren Gale, Dave Esheman, Mark Levine and Mike McMullen. The guest performers will hold a panel discussion on the life and music of Joe Henderson at 1 p.m. on Sunday in Music Recital Hall of Capistrano Hall.Director of Jazz Studies Steve Roach was put in charge of planning and direction of the festival after Sac State was chosen to host the event.

“What’s really neat is there’s a different thematic element for each festival,” Roach said. “This year I chose to do a theme on the music of Joe Henderson.”

Henderson was born into a family of 17 on April 24, 1937 in Lima, Ohio. His family encouraged him to participate in music at an early age, and Henderson eventually learned to play several instruments including the drums, piano, bass and the saxophone. After studying music at Wayne State University (and two years of Army service), Henderson traveled to New York where he perfected his craft as a saxophonist among jazz veterans such as Kenny Dorham and Horace Silver.

“He’s one of the major figures of our time, and he had a unique approach in his improvisations,” Roach said. “Jazz people love him.”

By the time he died on June 30, 2001, he had recorded scores of records and worked with legendary jazz musicians such as Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. More importantly, he left his own indelible mark on jazz music with his signature skittish improvisations that could run the gamut of emotions in a matter of seconds.

Trumpeter Warren Gale, who played with Henderson for a period of time, said Henderson’s contributions to the art of jazz plants him firmly in a spot of reverence in the music’s history.

“Joe, to me, is the most important innovator for the tenor sax in the 20th century,” Gale said. “Joe came along after (John) Coltrane and (Charlie) Parker, and to do what he did after that is pretty phenomenal.”

Saxophonist Mike McMullen said Henderson was an undeniably talented artist who may not have received the attention his talent warranted.

“I like to think of him as the Thelonious Monk of the saxophone,” McMullen said. “He was just an incredibly talented and intelligent man.”

Roach understands that this isn’t an “every day” event.

“The uniqueness of the CIPJ is that we collaborate and share students,” Roach said. “To host this here is a really special thing.”

Aubrey Henry can be reached at [email protected]