Here’s a treat for local jazz fans: Davidson College’s annual guest jazz artist residency is this Thursday through Saturday, this year featuring 2002 Davidson graduate and saxophonist Aaron Lohmeyer. The residency wraps up with a free concert along with the Davidson College Jazz Ensemble Saturday night in Duke Family Performance Hall.

Since 2005, the Davidson College Jazz Ensemble has invited a guest artist every year. The residency includes rehearsals with the Jazz Ensemble, master classes, and private lessons, culminating in a shared performance with the Jazz Ensemble on Saturday night. Past performers have been faculty members of the Berklee College of Music, whose president is a Davidson alumnus.

For the 2010 Jazz Ensemble Residency, conductor Bill Lawing invited Mr. Lohmeyer, a 2002 Davidson graduate who plays alto and tenor saxophones. At Davidson, Mr. Lohmeyer was a religion major, though he kept up an active performing life outside of classes.

Following Davidson, he studied at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and the University of Alaska. He’s now completing a master of music education degree at Florida State University. He also previously served as a graduate assistant with the Florida State University Bands.

The Jazz Ensemble will rehearsals with Mr. Lohmeyer Thursday and Friday afternoons. He’ll host a master class on improvisation with members of the jazz ensemble at 7:30 Thursday, in Sloan Music Center’s Tyler-Tallman Hall.

Then Mr. Lohmeyer will give a free public concert along with the Daivdson College Jazz Ensemble on Saturday, May 1, featuring many of his own compositions. The concert will be at 7:30 p.m. at Duke Family Performance Hall.