The current Elmhurst College Jazz Festival rose from the ashes of the American College Jazz Festival, which was established in 1967.

The original festival took place at eight regional sites throughout the United States, one of which was Elmhurst College. Each regional festival produced a winning band, combo, and vocalist, who then performed at a national festival on Memorial Day weekend. 

The national festival disbanded in 1973, but the Elmhurst Festival continued—and grew, both in size and in stature. By 1992, the Festival had hosted so many jazz greats that its Silver Anniversary reunion of guest artists and judges included Louie Bellson, Pete Christlieb, Conte Candoli, Terry Gibbs, Frank Mantooth, Bobby Shew, Clark Terry, Denis DiBlasio, Lee Konitz, and Jiggs Whigham. The celebration made such a splash that it was featured on CBS-TV’s Sunday Morning News.

Since then, the Festival’s reputation has continued to grow. Festival performers in recent years have included Nicholas Payton, Bill Holman, Diana Krall, Phil Woods, Maynard Ferguson, Dee Dee Bridgwater, John Fedchock, Bob Florence, Byron Stripling, Mike Abene, Randy Brecker, Lanny Morgan, Bob Mintzer, and the Count Basie Orchestra.