NILES — Since Jazz on the River’s inception five years ago, Josh Doe, the Niles band director, has been dreaming of having the event actually take place along the St. Joseph River.

Last year, he got his wish and the event was so popular that Doe decided to invite other local jazz musicians to join in the 2018 performance.

This year, the fifth annual Jazz on the River will take place 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at the amphitheater in Riverfront Park in Niles. In the event of rain, the musical performance will take place at the Niles High School auditorium, 1441 Eagle St., Niles.

Jazz on the River is free and open to the public and will include performances from Niles High School and Ring Lardner students, as well as Southwestern Michigan College.

For the first time in the event’s history, Jazz on the River will include other southwest Michigan jazz bands.

The lineup for the evening will include:

• 5 p.m. —  Ring Lardner Middle School Jazz Band, directed by Joshua C. Doe

• 5:25 p.m. — New Buffalo High School Jazz Band, directed by Christina Baumann

•  6 p.m. — Niles High School Counterpoints, directed by Matthew Hunckler

• 6:30 p.m. — Edwardsburg High School Jazz Band, directed by Justin Hammis and Alexis Banks

• 7 p.m. — Niles High School Jazz Band, directed by Joshua C. Doe

• 7:35 p.m. — Southwest Michigan College Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Jon Korzun

In addition to languishing in the spring sunshine and enjoying music, Doe said he sees the event as an opportunity to bring more people to visit Niles and Riverfront Park.

“It is a nice place for people to hangout and listen,” Doe said.

And true to the art’s form, jazz performances can take place in improvised spaces.

“Jazz is something that is often times performed in nontraditional venues, festivals [and] restaurants,” Doe said. “This gives [the students] a new venue with some sounds and distractions, but at the same time gives them an audience.”

Doe thanked the other school district directors who will be attending with their bands Friday.

Doe said inviting other area jazz bands to play will not only add variety for the audience, but also create a learning opportunity for students. He said he hopes the bands inspire one another and maybe even provide some inspiration for new songs to learn. Seeing SMC college students perform could also inspire students to continue with the craft, Doe said.

With the weather finally warming up after a lengthy winter, Doe encouraged people to visit downtown Niles, grab some dinner at a local restaurant, kick back and listen to musicians play.

“One, it is always good to support the young people in our area,” Doe said. “It shows that what they are doing reaches beyond just our school walls. Having a good crowd motivates them. I think people are going to be shocked at how good these kids are form all the schools. It is going to be a heck of a time.”