It's springtime in Denver…mild evenings, blooming flowers and the sounds of cool jazz at the Auraria Campus.

The third annual Jazz Celebration at Metro State, hosted by the Department of Music in partnership with Denver Public Schools and the Denver School of the Arts, runs this Thursday through Saturday at the King Center for the Performing Arts.

This year's celebration brings nationally acclaimed jazz musicians to Denver for three days of instruction, clinics and energetic performances. The rich array of guest artists includes Latin percussionist and Metro graduate Gary Sosias, the Grammy Award-winning jazz vocal ensemble New York Voices and the big band sound of the United States Air Force Falconaires.

The Opening Night Gala Concert featuring the New York Voices and the U.S. Air Force Falconaires is sold out, but tickets are still available for the Friday and Saturday night concerts. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for students and seniors, and free for members of the Metro community with ID. Call the Box Office at 303-556-2296 for more information.

In addition to wonderful music, the Jazz Celebration is primarily an educational opportunity for music students across the metro area. Event planners expect it to attract 2,000 students, representing 90 middle- and high school choral and instrumental jazz ensembles. Festival activities include jazz clinics, lectures, instrumental and vocal performances by school groups, and evening concerts by guest artists.