Hammond has its own unique jazz festival

Southeastern Louisiana University, the alma mater of legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans—yes, THE Bill Evans—celebrates his legacy this week with the Bill Evans Jazz Festival. A series of concerts and workshops, starting Thursday, pay tribute to the seven-time Grammy winner at the Columbia Theatre for Performing Arts at the Hammond campus. New Orleans pianist Ellis Marsalis, jazz bassist and composer Chuck Israels and drummer Troy Davis perform Thursday evening. Click here for details.