2010/11/11: Wally Gator Watson, drummer for the Lionel Hampton Band in the eighties and 2002-2010
for the Lionel Hampton New York Big Band. Dead in september 2010.
-
Wally "Gator' Watson at home with Lionel Hampton. 2002.
2004 Festival Winners: Benjamin Walden, 12-year-old Harmonica Player from MacDonald Elementary, Moscow, Idaho.
Cristian Fabian, bass and Wally "Gator" Watson, drums. (Hampton's New York Big Band).
In Memorial Videos: Interview: Play-  Part 1:  Play-Part 2:  Play-Part 3 With music.  Play-Clinic. Play-
Condolences:  Click- Interviews. Ron Aprea, Lionel Hampton Engish. Wally Gator Watson Dutch. Click-Wally's Site,  Click-
His last e-mail to me. 2010, April 7. Hi Hans, sorry to inform you that Bill Bergac has died a few months ago.
Phil is doing OK. I am fine also. Good to hear from you. Wally
 
 

There’s a New Vibe at the 2007 Festival. Dear Friends,  In its 40th year the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival has a new vibe. We are pleased to welcome bassist, composer, and arranger John Clayton as Artistic Director. Dr. Lynn “Doc” Skinner officially retired in June 2006, but has been aboard teaching and guiding the new leadership in understanding the mission and goals of the Festival. Joining the Festival leadership as Interim Executive Director is Cami McClure, whose enthusiasm as been used in guiding the operational side of the Festival.  Watching young people learn and better understand jazz was Lionel Hampton’s passion. Your support contributes to the vitality of that passion and dedication to the future of jazz through the world’s largest educational jazz festival.  In 2007, a tribute will be paid to Doc for his 40 years of dedication to educational excellence and the Festival. To ensure the longevity and expansion of the Festival, the Dr. Lynn “Doc” Skinner Endowment has been created. This endowment will be used to raise funds to be put back into the operations of the Festival. Please join us this year as we celebrate 40 years! John Clayton, Artistic Director Cami McClure,Interim Executive Director Dr. Lynn J. Skinner,Executive Director Emeritus  1992 Hamp accepts ovation with Dr. Lynn Skinner, the festival maestro. Thanks Doc for your big job.

 The House of Hamp

VIDEOS.
Six Questions for John Clayton
St. Marys Elementary, Elementary Choir-1
St. Marys Elementary/ All City 1, Elementary Instrumental Ensemble
Potlatch Elementary, Elementary Choir
Northwood Jr. High, Junior High Instrumental Ensemble
St. Georges Middle School, Middle School Choir
Lincoln Middle School 2, Middle School Instrumental-1
Northwood Middle School 2, Middle school Instrumental-2

-----Illustration by Loren Morris
2011 Concert Line-Up
Wednesday, February 23.

The Student Performances.  Click
Young Artists in Hamp's Club.  Click
The Clinnics:  Click -

8:00pm - Student Union Building (SUB) Ballroom, 2nd Floor

Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival ALL STAR Rhythm Section including Charenee Wade, vocals; Josh Nelson, piano; Kevin Kanner, drums;
Shawn Conley, bass; Graham Dechter, guitar
NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Heath with the Lionel Hampton School of Music Jazz Band I including special guest Terell Stafford

10:30pm Hamp’s Club at Gambino's.

---
Composer amazed by jazz reincarnations: Jimmy Heath travels to many universities, amazed by young performers
By Joel Mills Lewiston Tribune.
Jimmy Heath has played many tunes in his 84 years.As a composer and arranger, he crafted songs for jazz legends like Chet Baker, Miles Davis
and Dizzy Gillespie. As a recording artist, he played on more than 100 albums. And as a performer, he helped define the tenor saxophone and the
bounding sound of the 1940s known as Bebop.
But at his Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival clinic Wednesday, Heath assumed perhaps his most-cherished role, that of teacher.
"I'm traveling around to universities all over the world, and doing classes," Heath said of his ongoing pursuit of jazz education.
"I see young people who seem to be reincarnated. They play so good at such a young age, it's incredible."
Young musicians and fans soaked up Heath's wisdom while he spoke in a cozy theater on the second floor of the University of Idaho Student Union Building.
Dressed in black and gray, the diminutive musician drew laughs and applause with his answers to questions and lore from life on the road.
Heath said he started teaching almost as soon as he started playing, when he moved back to his birthplace of Philadelphia after graduating from a
black industrial high school in Wilmington, N.C.

Videos: Photos and Videos: February 23 . Click-

Thursday, February 24.
Kibbe ASUI Dome

3:30pm UI Jazz Band
4:30pm Young Artists Concert Series
6:30pm Hamp’s Club
7:30pm - 10:00pm Atsuko Hashimoto Trio with Jeff Hamilton and Graham Dechter - SUB BALLROOM
8:00pm - 9:30pm Nikki Yanofsky and the ALL STAR Rhythm Section; Josh Nelson, piano; Kevin Kanner, drums;
Shawn Conley, bass - HADDOCK PERFORMANCE HALL
8:30pm - 11:00pm Bill Charlap / Renee Rosnes - ADMIN AUDITORIUM
10:30pm LATE NIGHT Jams: Nectar, The Mix Bar, Red Door Restaurant

Wellington students win big at jazz festival.
Countless hours of rehearsals both in the early morning before school, after school, evenings and weekends have again paid off for
Wellington Secondary Jazz Academy Students. Video 8.  Click-
The schools Senior Jazz band and numerous individual musicians brought home several awards from the Envision Jazz Festival in
Surrey earlier this month where they competed against 23 other bands from around the province.
The grade 12 students finished in the top four earning the band a spot in Saturday's Evening showcase concert. Students receiving individual honours are:
Senior Awards:
» Grade 12 Llewellyn Littlemore Most Outstanding Sr. Guitar Player Award.
» Grade 12 Jesse McNeil Most Outstanding Sr. Drummer.
» Grade 12 Niko Lunny Most Outstanding Sr. Piano Player Award.
» The Grade 12 Combo Joshin Around was awarded the Most Outstanding Jazz Combo of the Festival.
» The Wellington Grade 12 Jazz Band Rhythm Section was awarded the Most Outstanding Sr. Rhythm Section of the festival.
» Grade 12 Christine Morrison on baritone sax was awarded with a $100 scholarship towards Victoria Conservatory Jazz Camp.
» Grade 12 Jessica d'Oliveira on saxophone and drums was awarded with a $100 scholarship towards the Victoria Conservatory Jazz Camp.
» Grade 11 Amy McCartie vocals was awarded a scholarship to the Blaine Jazz Camp.
Jr. Awards:
» Grade Josh Rey on Tenor Saxophone was awarded the Most Outstanding Overall Jr. Musician, the Most Outstanding Jr.
Saxophone Player and a $300 scholarship.
The Envision Festival is one of the largest in the country. This year 2500 students took part.
Wellington Jazz Academy students are now attending the prestigious Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho.

Young Artist Concerts and Hamp's Club from Thursday 24, 2011. Click

Photos and Videos: February 24. Click-

Friday, February 25.
Kibbe ASUI Dome

3:30pm UI Jazz Choir
4:30pm Young Artists Concert Series
7:00pm Red Carnation Event
7:30pm Hamp’s Club
8:30pm The Manhattan Transfer Victor Wooten Band
10:30pm LATE NIGHT Jams: Nectar, The Mix Bar, Red Door Restaurant

--
Photos and Videos: February 25. Click-

Saturday, February 26.
Kibbe ASUI Dome

4:30pm Young Artists Concert Series
7:30pm Hamp’s Club
8:30pm: The Saturday evening concert will include a tribute for the late Wally Watson.
Lionel Hampton New York Big Band featuring Carmen Bradford, vocals; NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Heath, tenor and soprano saxophone;
Ed Shaughnessy, drums; Pete Christileb, tenor sax
Legacy Percussion Orchestra directed by David Zerbe with guest student musicians from the Lionel Hampton School of Music percussion ensemble
Dance Party
10:30pm LATE NIGHT Jams: Nectar, The Mix Bar, Red Door Restaurant, University Inn Best Wester.

Seattle area musicians honored at Hampton festival.
The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, in Moscow, Idaho, where jazz masters mentor and adjudicate student jazz musicians, concluded Saturday.
Many Seattle-area instrumentalists were honored Saturday.
The Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho, where jazz masters mentor and adjudicate student jazz musicians, concluded Saturday.
Many Seattle-area instrumentalists were honored Saturday by invitations to the Young Artists Concert.
They included the South Whidbey High School band and Combo, division A, directed by Chris Harshaman, from Langley; the Eckstein Middle School Ensemble,
Middle School division, directed by Moc Escobedo; and the Garfield High School Ensemble II, division AAAA, directed by Clarence Acox.
Honorable mention went to the Eckstein Middle School Combo II, Middle School division, directed by Moc Escobedo.

Musicians honored by an invitation to play in the intimate setting of "Hamp's Club" included Mike Laven, drums, and Eric Dubbury, trumpet,
Edmonds-Woodway High School, directed by Jake Bergevin; Luke Woodle, drums, Eckstein Middle School, directed by Moc Escobedo;
Gus Comstock, drums, Ian Frost, soprano saxophone, Adam Stansell, saxophone, Emmitt Akeley, guitar, Ian Zapolsky, piano,
Willem de Koch, trombone, Garfield High School, directed by Clarence Acox; Elliott Clement, piano, Hamilton International Middle School,
directed by Dan Rowe; Xavier DelCastillo, tenor saxophone, Matt Nuntz, bass, Lucas Winter, guitar, and Adrian Noteboom, tenor saxophone,
Roosevelt High School, directed by Scott Brown.

Northwest University, in Kirkland, was honored by the festival with the gift of a drum set.
 

--
L to R: Kay Lloyd, Jennell Lottinville, Jana Lottinville.--------------------------------------------------------------   Stage for the Big Band

Photos and Videos: February 26. Click-

VIDEOS 2011. More Follow.

From Hamp's Club. ? Play  2:  Play -3:  Play-4: Play-6: Play- 7:  Play-8: Play
Denny International performing "Tiger of San Pedro" From Seattle WA.  Play-
Franklin Elementary performing "Theresa Meacham" From Pullman, WA.  Play-
Lincoln Middle School, Pullman, WA.  Play=
Russell Elementary performing "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Children. The Band is from Moscow Idaho. Play -
Saint Mary's All-City Elementary III performing "Run With It" The Band is from Moscow Idaho. Play-
Mennonite Educational Institute performing "Blackbird" From Abbotsford, British Col. Play-
Garfield High School performing "Blues For Stephanie" From Seattle WA.  Play-
Eckstein Middle School II performing "Centerpiece" From Seattle WA.  Play
Arts West School for the Performing & Visual Arts performing "Esperanto" From Eagle, ID. Play-
New March 7
1-Blues Ology.  Erik Bowen Piano, Chris Clark Bass, Adam Buer Guitar, Joe Steiner Drums,  Play  2-There Will Never be Another You.  Play=
3-St. Thomas.  Play-4-Alone Together. Play- 5-Take the 'A'Train. +  Jenny Kellog Trombone.  Play
6-Anthropology. Erik Bowen Piano, Troy Roby Bass, Tony Saccomanno Drums, Adam Buer GuitarMonica Palmer Flute, Nathan Top Trumpet. Play-
7-Don't Get Around Much Any More. + .Kyle Gemberling, vocal.  Vocal-
10-Beatrice. Kevin Kanner Drums, Shawn Conley Bass, Josh Nelson Piano, Vern Sielert Trumpet, Corey Christiansen Guitar.  Play
Mennonite Educational Institute performing "Blackbird".  The school is from Abbotsford, British Columbia.    Play

More Follow.
 ----------------------
Kent Jazz Band 1 at the 2011 Lionel Hampton Festival, Moscow.  Play-
Kent Jazz Band 2 at the 2011   Play
Jackson High Jazz Ensemble. Play-
BCA group competing:  Play-
Alyce is a Rock (Max on Guitar),  Play-

2010 Concert Line-Up
Wednesday, February 24.
SUB Ballroom - 8:00 p.m.
In every performance Jazz is made new and every generation adds a layer of depth and richness to the musical
legacy. Experience tomorrow’s music today with some of the hottest young players in Jazz.
Step into the future in the intimate, renovated SUB Ballroom. You don’t want to be left out.
Young Artist concert to be announced.
PHOTOS: Click
VIDEO: Click
All Star Quartet, Josh Nelson - Piano, Kevin Kanner - Drums ,Graham Dechter - Guitar.
Gerald Clayton Trio: Gerald Clayton - Piano. Justin Brown - Drums, Joe Sanders - Bass.
Young Artists
Alex Hoffman- Tenor Sax, Tim Green- Alto Sax, Ryan Porter- Trombone, Brian Chahley- Trumpet

Thursday, February 25.
Ray Brown Tribute Concert Kibbie Dome - 8:00 p.m.
Music is a language, sometimes intimate, often boisterous, always layered with experience and life profoundly lived.
Two great families of Jazz and three generations of acclaimed musicians command an evening swinging with the
love of life.
Clayton Brothers Quintet
John Clayton - Bass, Jeff Clayton - Sax, Gerald Clayton - Piano. Obed Calvaire - Drums, Terrell Stafford - Trumpet.
The Pizzarelli Family
Bucky Pizzarelli - Guitar John Pizzarelli - Guitar, Martin Pizzarelli -Bass
Tony Tedsco - Drums, Larry Fuller - Piano,  Jessica Molaskey - Vocals

Friday, February 26.
Kibbie Dome - 8:30 p.m.
The roots of Jazz run deep in the soul of the American experience. African-American Spirituals, Gospel Music,
and the Blues provide the deep well from which Jazz is nourished. Step into this river of living history and
be lifted onto the shoulders of musical wisdom.
Cyrus Chestnut-Piano, Dee Daniels with (Lionel Hampton)
Jazz Festival Gospel Choir: .
Taj Mahal Trio.
Taj Mahal – Guitar and Banjo, Bill Rich – Bass, Kester Smith – Drums.

Saturday, February 27

Kibbie Dome - 8:30 p.m. with a dance floor.
Lionel Hampton, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Glen Miller and Count Basie all knew how to throw a party.
They put the best musicians in the world on the bandstand and turned them loose to swing hard and long.
The dance floors will be down, the musicians will be primed and ready and the Kibbie Dome swinging like a gate.

The Lionel Hampton New York Big Band featuring Dee Daniels
Incl: Chuck Redd – Vibes,  Scott Hamilton – Sax,  James Morrison – Trombone, Trumpet, etc.
Ken Peplowski – Clarinet and Sax,  Terell Stafford – Trumpet
VIDEO: Chuck Redd, vibes and John Cocuzzi, vibes. (plays als Hampton). Left.
Incl. Great tribute for Lionel Hampton and Milt Buckner with Hey! Ba Ba Rebop and Flying Home. Play

Having a blast: World-class jazz musicians rock the Kibbie Dome on final night of festival.

The Lionel Hampton New York Big Band.
If Stevie Ray Vaughn had played trombone instead of guitar, he probably would have sounded a lot
like James Morrison. Morrison rocked the house and was given rock-star treatment Saturday night at the
final performance of the 2010 Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival.
The Australia native plays no fewer than seven instruments, and apparently his reputation had preceded him
Saturday. He received loud applause and cheers at the mere mention of his name, before he had played a note.
The final night of the festival, under a bright full moon, featured the Lionel Hampton New York Big Band,
of which Morrison was a member.
Other stars of the night were Chuck Redd on vibes, Scott Hamilton on saxophone, Ken Peplowski on clarinet
and Terrell Stafford on trumpet.
The band that kept the rhythm for the superstars all night, a group of young musicians playing together as the
All-Star Quartet, was a pretty big hit with the audience as well.
Guitarist Graham Dechter didn't appear to be fazed a bit by the quartet's move to the gigantic Kibbie Dome
from the comparatively intimate SUB Ballroom where they had opened the festival on Wednesday night.
The additional hundreds of fans in the dome only seemed to spur Dechter to new heights as the crowd sat almost
mesmerized when he played, their eyes glued to the stage or the giant video screens mounted on either side.
The quartet's drummer, Kevin Kanner, also made a big splash with the audience with a couple of rousing solos.
But it was Morrison who single-handedly - or rather double-handedly - stole the show.
In festival director John Clayton's introduction, he talked about all the instruments Morrison could play,
but assured the audience Morrison was a serious, skilled musician and that his performance was not some
kind of novelty or circus act."Well maybe a little bit of a circus act," Clayton added to laughter.
The audience quickly discovered what Clayton meant by the remark. Morrison had his hands full when he walked
on stage: In his right hand was a trumpet and in his left hand a trombone. The audience didn't have much time to
wonder which one he would play first, because they shortly found out he intended to play both.
The band launched into a song and before long Morrison was having a battle of the bands with himself. He'd blast
a riff on the trumpet, then a riff on the trombone, back and forth, notes as high as a police whistle on the trumpet
and as low as a foghorn on the trombone. The audience ate it up and gave him a standing ovation when he finished.
Then Morrison was joined on stage by trumpeter Terrell Stafford. The two of them - as if they had saved the best
for last or were reaching an almost fever pitch as the festival raced toward its close - delivered some of the hottest
solos of the week.
The theme of the final night was "Jazz is a Party." As the horns blared and the drums boomed the same swinging
tunes Lionel Hampton's bands used to play, the dance floors to the right and left of the stage were filled with
young people, just as they were when Hampton performed the music more than half a century ago.
First-time student participant Josh Morrison, 14, of Vernon, British Columbia, has been playing saxophone for
three years. He said he took part in a number of the festival's workshops and clinics this year and was amazed
at the opportunity for the musical education.
"I'm really learning a lot," he said. "I'm blown away by all the skills they have."
Chris Chambers, 37, of Moscow was attending the festival for the first time.
"I had a really good time," he said. "They really bring talented musicians here. It's great to see that kind of talent around here."
 

           2009

2009 Concert Line-up
Wednesday February 25
Potlatch Young Artists Concert at 4 p.m.
Elementary, Junior High and Middle School ensembles from the day’s adjudicated performance.

LATIN RHYTHMS MEET DIZZY GILLESPIE
Presented by Pepsi at 8 p.m.

Jon Faddis leads an All Star band with guest trumpeters even Diz would be proud of.
Vocalist Jackie Ryan will dazzle festival audiences with her jazz and Latin infused stylings.
Jose Rizo’s "Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars" provides us with Latin jazz so infectious we are laying
down the dance floor early.

The following Ensembles have been selected to perform at this afternoon's Outstanding Young Artists Concert. Please check
in at the bottom of Section 2 in the Kibbie Dome.  Click

John Clayton is all smiles as the 2009 Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival gets underway.
Video
MOSCOW - The man who is making sure the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival is a good time and an educational
experience for all is Grammy winning bassist John Clayton.
Clayton, artistic director of the festival for three years now, is a busy man this week. But on Wednesday he sat down for a
one on one interview.
"If you give a party and the party is fantastic, part of you wonders how can I give another party next time around that will be as
phenomenal as today's party was and that's my dilemma," said Clayton. "The line-up that we have is just so special and so exciting."
Clayton has been coming to Moscow for years, but only for three years as festival artistic director. His new role keeps him busy, but happy.
"You know you mentioned I was a performer before I became an artist director and then I had less responsibility," said Clayton. "
I could just walk around and see all these really cool things that were going on and be impressed by it. Now that's been
heightened because not only do I get to do that, but I'm also part of it. I'm behind the scenes, I have some say in what's
going to be presented and therefore, whenever I set foot in Moscow I've got a big smile on my face."
Clayton said concert goers can expect great jazz for four nights, but that workshops and clinics are the backbone of the festival.
"The evening concerts are thrilling and wonderful, but gosh if someone were to hold a water pistol to my head and say that
something has got to go, then I'd say 'well let's just put a hold on the evening concerts' because we cannot function without
nurturing, and the cultivation of jazz with our young artists," said Clayton. "They're excited about this music and therefore we
have to make sure that we support them and guide them."
Clayton changed the festival, when he eliminated schools competing against each other for awards, something he said is
happening all over the country. When asked about professional musicians receiving Grammys, he said it's not all it's played up to be.
"It doesn't really do anything to improve your art, or your mentality or your relationship with your colleagues, or an understanding
that you in fact are number one," said Clayton. "If you want the truth, and you asked me so I have to tell you, the people that focus
on awards and that sort of thing, they frankly miss the point that music is a means of expression and that artists use
it as a vehicle to express ourselves with. That's what we have to communicate to our kids."
9 Photo's. Click

CLARKSTON - Students at Heights Elementary got a taste of the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival Tuesday,
right in their own gym. Video
Graham Dechter and Paul Keller performed for the kids as part of the Jazz In The Schools program.
They talked about getting involved in music and other passions.
Several musicians performed in schools throughout the region. The Jazz festival series of four major concerts gets underway
Wednesday night at the University of Idaho.
 

Thursday February 26
ISLAND FEVER! — GROOVES FROM BRAZIL AND THE CARIBBEAN
Presented by Horizon Air at 8 p.m.

Monty Alexander’s "Jazz and Roots" Project means reggae mixed with Monty’s intense swing.
Kenny Barron's "Canta Brazil" with Trio da Paz and Anne Drummond (flute) is a fantastic Brazilian jazz blend.
The Anthony Wilson/Chico Pinheiro band features two of the world’s top guitarists combining their fiery
enthusiasm.

The following Ensembles have been selected to receive commendation for their performance today.
Please check in with the table backstage to receive your recognition.   Click

12 Photo's. Click

Ambrose Akinmusire, left, Byron Stripling, left middle, Jon Faddis, and James Moody come together in harmony during
the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Wednesday in the Kibbie Dome.

Vocalist and saxophonist James Moody, center, is surprised by fellow performers singing back-up harmony, from left to right,
Ambrose Akinmusire, Jon Faddis, and Byron Stripling while singing a solo during Wednesday evening's performance in the
Kibbie Dome.

Friday February 27
Young Artists Concert at 4:45 p.m.
Vocal ensembles from the day’s High School adjudicated performances.

SING & SWING PLUS A TRIBUTE TO RAY BROWN
Presented by Zions Bank at 8:30 p.m.

Listen, move and get down with musical phenomenon Bobby McFerrin as he uses his voice to mesmerize
as only he can.
The Monty Alexander Trio with Jeff Hamilton and John Clayton perform songs they´re famous for and pay
tribute to the great Ray Brown.

Festival brings international sounds to Kibbie Dome stage; Friday night is standing room only for Bobby McFerrin.

The following Ensembles have been selected to perform at this afternoon's Outstanding Young Artists Concert.
Please check in at the bottom of Section 2 in the Kibbie Dome.   Click

Saturday February 28
Wells Fargo Young Artists Concert at 4:45 p.m.
Instrumental ensembles from the day’s High School adjudicated performances.

EVERYBODY DANCE: MOVING TO SOUNDS OF YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW
Presented by Avista at 8:30 p.m.

Piano prodigy Eldar Djangirov returns to inspire the crowd.
Vocalist Gretchen Parlato introduces herself to the Festival fans displaying her first class style.
The explosive conclusion of the Festival features the
Lionel Hampton New York Big Band with Joe Locke unleashed on vibes.

Sudents on Saturday, Click

--
Lionel Hampton Big Band with Joe Locke vibes.

Dancers enjou the music of the Lionel Hampton Big Band.

Lionel Hampton Big Band brings down the house on event's final night
By Halley Griffin,
Saturday night's concert at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival was one long crescendo.
It began softly and ended with a bang.
Saturday was a night of celebration - of jazz, of big bands and of the festival's 42nd year. For many, it also was a
night to reminisce.
Pianist Eldar Djangirov opened the performance. He first came to the festival nine years ago as a student musician and
has been back four or five times, but had to miss the past few years.
"So I'm happy (to be back)," he said. "Really happy."
The night concluded with a performance by the Lionel Hampton Big Band, of which many members played with Hampto
for years. The band only comes together a few times each year, so the annual trip to the Palouse is something of a reunion
for many members.
Trumpeter Anibal Martinez has been playing with the band for about a decade. Out of that time, his most memorable year was
the last year that Hampton was alive and playing with the band.
Martinez remembers Hampton's loyalty to his band.
"He always rode the bus," Martinez said. "He always wanted to be with his guys."
He said people would always offer Hampton a limousine or other luxury vehicle, but he always said "
no, no, no, no" and boarded the bus with his band.
Current band director Cleave Guyton said Hampton presided over the band with an "iron fist."
Guyton, who's been with the band for two decades, remembered one concert in Europe when Hampton was told he had to
be off the stage by 10 p.m. or face a hefty fine.
"So 10 o'clock came, and the band was on a high note," Guyton said. They started signaling Hampton off the stage,
but he wouldn't stop playing.
Then organizers tried to close the curtain on the band, but Hampton stuck a hand out to hold the curtain open and kept
playing with the other.
Guyton doesn't remember whether the band had to pay the fine, He just remembers waiting for Hampton's OK to end the show.
"I don't care if the president of the United States told you to stop (playing), you didn't stop until you heard, 'OK boys,' " Guyton said.
"They don't make people like that anymore."
Groups of artists sat around tables backstage Saturday, telling stories of Hampton's personality and generosity.
"He kept me from cracking," said Tony Barrero, a trumpeter who's been with the band since 1988. "He kept my ass out of jail."
Rose Neely remembers Hampton passing out money and treats to children he met backstage.
She's been involved with the festival for 33 years in a hosting capacity and has known some members of the big band for 20 years.
"I've been here forever," she said backstage Saturday night. "It's my claim to fame and longevity, I guess."
The bands used to get ready in locker rooms in Memorial Gym, where Neely delivered cold cuts to the musicians and
"stitched up britches" as needed.
Neely used to greet Hampton at the airport when he arrived, and send him off again when the festival had ended.
She'd also deliver home-cooked meals to his hotel room, though she suspects he'd wheedled more than one person
into that tradition. "He had a certain charm about him," she said with a laugh.
Neely said she loves "everything" about the festival, and always starts to feel a little sad at the end knowing she won't see the
musicians again for another year.
"I love what I do," she said. "I'll probably die before I give it up."
She said she thinks many of the artists feel the same way.
"One of the things that the artists who come here (feel), is they feel like they're coming home," Neely said.
"I've heard that many, many times."
 

Provided by University of Idaho.
John Clayton, bassist and arranger and the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival’s artistic directorwon another Grammy on Sunday.
He won best instrumental arrangement accompanying vocalist(s)
for “I'm Gonna Live Till I Die” on Queen Latifah’s “Trav’lin’ Light” (Verve Records).

Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival 2008.
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Website
Newspapers 2008
STUDENT PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE.
https://www.sites.uidaho.edu/jazz/locations/public_view.asp

Crunch time.
When it all gets underway Tuesday, the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival will celebrate what would have been
its namesake's 100th birthday; but first, there is still plenty of work left to do.  Klew TV article    Video
 

TUESDAY, February 19th
The politics of Hamp.

Lionel Hampton and Richard Nixon chat in this archival photo shown at the Jazz History Conference Tuesday morning.

10.30AM:  Jazz History and Culture conference keynote by "Reading Hamp:
Celebrating Seven Decades of Good Vibes" free. Idaho Commons on the U of I campus.
5.30-7.30 p.m.: Festival kick-off, Palouse Empire Mall. Moscow. Free.

MOSCOW - As the 2008 Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival kicked off Tuesday at the University of Idaho,
historians were reflecting on the jazz legend's life.
The first annual Jazz History Conference got off on an academic foot with the keynote address delivered by
Dr. Bruce Raeburn of the Hogan Jazz Archives at Tulane University.
A small group at the Idaho Commons heard Raeburn talk about Hamp's life, while showing some archival photos
of the man whose name is associated with the festival and UI's music school.
Raeburn included a little bit about Hampton's politics and how he gravitated toward Republican friends, hanging
out with the likes of Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George Bush, Senior.
Raeburn said this was in contrast to most jazz musicians, who were more moderate or a bit left-leaning.
"He was a politically conscious African-American jazz musician who chose to work for social justice and combat racism
through established political channels, choosing the Republican party based on the belief that big government is not as
effective a strategy for producing social change as grassroots campaigning and socially conscious action within
private sector," Raeburn said.
The conference continues Wednesday. The music kicks off Tuesday night at 7:30 at Hamp's Gala at the
UI Administration Building Auditorium.  VIDEO Newspaper

Wild art: Happy birthday, Hamp

Lionel Hampton's 100th birthday cake shaped like a set of vibes is prepared to be served as hungry kids look on Tuesday evening
at the Jazz Fest Community Kick-Off in the Palouse Mall. Jake Barber/Argonaut

Sara Gazarek offers the mic to two girls Tuesday at St. Stan's.  Newspaper with video
 

Lionel Hampton Jazz Gala.
Yakima salsa band spicing up Idaho jazz gala. Newspaper
A band of Yakima musicians isn't looking to be better than everyone else at this week's
Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho in Moscow.

Wednesday, February 20th
10.30AM:  Jazz History and Culture conference keynote by "Reading Hamp:
Celebrating Seven Decades of Good Vibes" free. Idaho Commons on the U of I campus.

4PM: Potlatch Young Artists Concert
Elementary, Junior High and Middle School ensembles from the day’s adjudicated performances.

7.30PM: New Orleans is in the House Presented by Pepsi.
Paying tribute to the birthplace of Jazz - this concert will feature some of the Crescent City’s musical icons.

Featured artists include:
All-Star Rhythm Section – Jeff Hamilton, drums; Grahm Dechter, guitar; Peter Washington, bass and Bill Charlap, piano
Aaron Weinstein, violin
Wycliffe Gordon with All-Star Rhythm Section
“Lionel, Red and Bunny” featuring Ed Polcer, Wycliffe Gordon and Houston Person.  Dr. John.

All that Jazz and More.
Newspaper with Video. NewspaperVideo

----
Wycliffe Gordon mutes his trombone with a plunger during Wednesday's New Orleans in the House performance.
Lionel Hampton School of Music student and bassist Matt Gerhardt looks over at Lionel Hampton School of Music student
and pianist, Kate Skinner during the after show of the New Orleans in the House concert at Hamp’s Club in the Kibbie Dome.
Right: Jazz pianist  Jim Martinez plays tribute to a legend, Oscar Peterson.

--
Jazz vocalist Sara Gazarek, center, helps students from St. Mary's School in Moscow work on their scat solos Wednesday.
Aaron Weinstein, right, plays the violin backed up by guitarist Graham Dechter, left, and bassist Bill Charlap.

Thursday, February 21st
Hamp – the Innovator and Showman Presented by Horizon Air
Hamp was all about new sounds and so is this concert that will feature some of the freshest sounds of today’s jazz,
while showing off the music’s traditional roots.

7.30PM: Featured artists include:
All Star Rhythm Section with saxophonists Tia Fuller, Grace Kelly and Isaiah Morfin
Regina Carter Quintet
Roberta Gambarini, vocals; with Tamir Hendelman, piano; All-Star Rhythm Section
Roy Hargrove’s RH Factor.
Jon Hendricks with Sachal Vasandani, vocals

Shades of Hamp; Vibes player among those influenced by festival namesake.
Warren Wolf sees a lot of similarities between himself and Lionel Hampton.
Hampton's influence was unmistakably present when Wolf took the stage Thursday night at the
Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho Kibbie Dome.
For starters, Wolf's instrument of choice - like Hampton's - is the vibraphone.

College Day Recognition at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival.
Festival Winners. Click
 
 

--
Dean Hare/Daily News
Regina Carter plays the violin during the "Hamp -- the Innovator and Showman Presented by Horizon Air" concert
Thursday as part of the 2008 Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow.
Right: Saxophonists, left to right, Tia Fuller, Grace Kelly and Isaiah Morfin play “Flyin’ Home” during the Hamp,
the Innovator and Showman concert Thursday as part of the 2008 Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival.

--
Emily Poor feels the rhythm as she dances to the jazz music in the SUB Ballroom on Thursday night.
Kids crowd the commons as the town beings to swell with visitors for the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival.

Friday, February 22nd
4:45PM: Young Vocal Artists Concert
Vocal ensembles from the day’s High School adjudicated performances.

8PM: Masters and Mentors Presented by Zions Bank
Hamp was dedicated to passing the music on to the next generation. In this concert, acknowledged masters meet up with some
of the hottest young players around. Lessons will be learned and musical sparks will fly!

Featured artists include:
Atsuko Hashimoto, Hammond B3 organ; Jeff Hamilton, drums; and Red Holloway, sax
Dee Daniels with Sara Gazarek, vocals
Curtis Fuller with Ryan Porter and Ismael Cuevas, trombone
Hank Jones with Gerald Clayton and Taylor Eigsti, piano
Warren Wolf, vibes

Festival winners. Click

Clinics and workshops make festival unique.
NewspaperVideo
 

----
Organist Atsuko Hashimoto, right, and percussionist Jeff Hamilton play during the Masters and Mentors concert
at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival in Moscow on Friday.
Workshop pays tribute to Russian jazz.
Ivanov Aleksandr perform at a clinic at the First United Methodist Church in Moscow on Friday.

Saturday, February 23rd
4.45PM: Young Instrumental Artists Concert
Instrumental ensembles from the day’s High School adjudicated performances

8PM: Hamp’s Big Band Birthday Bash & Dance Party Presented by Avista
Two great Big Bands – the Lionel Hampton Big Band and the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra –
meet for an old-fashioned “Battle of the Bands.” A dance floor will be down and the roof will be blown off the Kibbie Dome.

Featured artists include:
Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
Lionel Hampton Big Band• Dee Daniels, vocals
Kevin Mahogany, vocals
Chuck Redd, vibes
Here is a great video from the Kennedy Center. Chuck Redd and left John Cocuzzi (a la Hampton), vibes. 2001.
Swinging Vibes: Incl: Hey! Ba-Ba-Rebop and Flying Home.  Play-For Hamp: Min. 48-63.

Festival Winners: Click

JohnClayton: It’s a 'wonderful energy'    Klew TV    Video
The Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival swings into its final evening Saturday.
 

Eckstein, Roosevelt take jazz honors.
Seattle's Roosevelt High School and Eckstein Middle School stormed the Lionel Hampton International.
Jazz Festival competition Saturday, receiving the lion's share of awards.  Newspaper
 

------    -------
Nick Sokol
YVCC saxophonist's composition takes top honor at jazzfestival. Yakima Herald
Saxophonist Nick Sokol's quasi-ballad with unusual time signatures and a free jazz section was the judges' top pick at the
Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival, which ran Wednesday through Saturday at the University of Idaho in Moscow.

Local schools recognized at Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. From the Latah Eagle
More than 60 schools from around the country and Canada took part in the annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festiva.
Ranging in age from the elementary level through high school, students performed in band, choir and individual programs.
Each school's bands and choirs were placed in groups of schools about the same size with "B" being the smallest and
AAAAA being the largest.
From Latah County Potlatch, Deary and Genesee were all classified in the "B" category while Moscow was placed in the
AAA category. Garfield-Palouse, from Whitman County in Washington was also placed in the "B" category.
Unlike previous years, this year did not feature competitions per se, but participants were given critiques and outstanding
participants were given "Adjudicator's Commendations".
Moscow High School's Bella Choir received an "Adjudicator's Special Commendation" and the choir received an
"Adjudicators' Choice" award. St. Mary's School's All-City elementary school band received an "Adjudicators' Choice"
award for their performance February 20 as did the choir.
The Garfield-Palouse band, which is different in the fact that is an extra-curricular band, which meets once per week
after school, was given an Adjudicator's Choice award in the B Combo category.
 

Jazz fest: Dancin' the night away.

Kevin Mahogany, right, sings "Route 66" as John Clayton, left, directs the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra during
the Hamp's Big Band Birthday Bash & Dance Party Presented by Avista concert Saturday as part of the 2008,

------
Jon Hendricks sings "Hamp's Boogie" supported by vibraphonist Chuck Redd and Lionel Hampton Big Band during
the Hamp's Big Band Birthday Bash & Dance Party concert Saturday as part of the 2008 Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival.
Couples dance to the music of the Lionel Hampton Big Band on Saturday.

Rick Rackauskas and Allison McLaughlin came to Saturday's Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival concert ready to dance.
The Moscow couple was one of many waiting in a long line at the University of Idaho Kibbie Dome to hit the dance floor
and practice their swing moves to the Lionel Hampton Big Band and Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.
"They should have a dance floor every year," McLaughlin said. "Jazz is about dancing and the music."
Rackauskas was excited to "cut some rug," but thought jazz festival organizers could have gotten more of the crowd dancing.
"You know, it's pretty lame because they should have made a huge dance floor where all those chairs are," he said, pointing
to the center of the Kibbie Dome floor.
The dance floor was a new addition to the festival's sold-out Saturday concert, along with after-hours Hamp's Club performances
by young musicians and a battle of the big bands.
The Lionel Hampton Big Band backed vocalists Dee Daniels, Jon Hendricks and Kevin Mahogany and vibraphonist
Chuck Redd, who played a set of vibes that belonged to Hampton.
The band joined with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra for the second half of the show, beginning with a dueling tune once
performed by Duke Ellington and Count Basie's bands. Highlights of the show included a comedic drum-off between
Wally "Gator" Watson and Jeff Hamilton and a three-song tribute to Lionel Hampton, culminating in a jazzy "Happy Birthday"
with confetti falling from the Kibbie Dome ceiling. This year's festival celebrated the 100th anniversary of Hampton's birth.
New festival Artistic Director John Clayton bounced across the stage, directing both bands. The fact that Clayton directs "is
what makes it so special," said Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra lead trombonist Ira Nepus.
The bands had played together before, but never at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, Nepus said.
"There's always been a little rivalry between the two," said Mark McGowan, a trumpeter for the Lionel Hampton Big Band.
"It's the top L.A. big band versus the top New York City big band."
McGowan started performing with the band in 1996, when Hampton directed.
"When he was alive we'd play all the time," he said. "It was awesome."
James Burton, a Juilliard School student and new trombonist with the Lionel Hampton Big Band, said he's had a
"thrilling" time performing.
"I've been very impressed with John Clayton as a director," Burton said. "He's very inspiring, very warm.
"He's a serious conductor and he's very humble."
Christina Liu, a piano performance major at Washington State University, said she enjoyed watching the performers and dancers
at Saturday's show.
"My high school band came here a lot, so I just wanted to check it out and see how the music scene was again," she said.
Moscow resident Geoff Allen, who has been attending jazz festival performances for about six years, enjoyed the big bands and
other changes to this year's festival.
"Certainly the dance floor seems to be popular," he said. "I think (festival organizers) need to just keep up what they're doing."

The Seattle Times. Roosevelt wins at jazz festival.  Newspaper
Saturday afternoon, vocalist Roberta Gambarini's clinic was one of the major delights of the weekend. Gambarini, Aria Hendricks
and a visiting Boston College student, Cara Campanelli, traded choruses on "How High the Moon" and its Charlie Parker remake,
"Ornithology," in a riveting demonstration of what jazz singing — and true mentoring — are all about.

The afternoon high school big band competition was also vastly improved by being relocated to a 1,300-seat megachurch
that could accommodate huge crowds. Saturday night's concert nodded to the "battle of the bands" of Harlem's Savoy Ballroom,
featuring the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (CHJO) and the Lionel Hampton Big Band on stage together. Dance areas were
roped off, and jitterbuggers lined up 50-100 strong on both sides.

Later, singer Kevin Mahogany, who should be heard more often in these parts, dipped his rich baritone low, Joe Williams-style.
The festival closed with "Happy Birthday" (to Hamp) and a toe-tapping version of Hampton's hit, "Flying' Home."

Student VIdeos 2008.
This is the Boston College Vocal Jazz Ensemble Performing: "Cloudburst" Under the direction of: Dee Daniels.  Play
Evy sings Body and Soul. Play
Evy Sings Honeysuckle Rose. Play
Alicia Emery sings When Sonny Gets Blue.   Play
I'm thirteen years old and I won the outstanding alto vocal soloist award. Name ?. The Shadow of your Smile.  Play
Jackson High Jazz Choir Rhythm section playing Flight of the Cosmic Hippo.  Play

The last Newspapers:
The Latah Eagle.  Click
Local schools recognized at Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival: The Latah Eagle.  Click
By Barb Coyner PALOUSE, Washington (STPNS).  Click
Roosevelt wins at jazz festival. Click
Baker High jazz band wins first place at festival. The Baker City Herald.  Click
Yakima salsa band spicing up Idaho jazz gala.  Click
 

2007

Past Jazz Fest performers include, clockwise from top left, Dee Daniels, James Moody, Curtis Calderon, and Hank Jones.
Students of jazz music from around the United States and Canada will have an opportunity to celebrate the 40th
anniversary of the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival on the University of Idaho campus next week.
The four-day festival begins Wednesday and includes 21 festival sites on the UI campus and around Moscow.
The complet article. Click
VIDEO: Moscow junior high alto soloist winner Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.  Play
(Kuni Mikami, piano. Christian Fabian, bass. Wally "Gator" drums).
VIDEO: The Four Freshmen singing Day In, Day Out. The past Festival.  Play
 
 

Hamp’s Gala: Taking notes to making notes University. February 20.

-----
Members of the University of Idaho Opera/Music Theatre Studio perform “Pandemonium” from “The 25th Annual Putnam
County Spelling Bee” at Hamp’s Gala on Tuesday at the University Auditorium in Moscow.
Right:
Sarah Todd, a clarinetist in the University of Idaho Wind Ensemble, plays Leonard Bernstein’s composition
“Slava!” at Hamp’s Gala Tuesday.

University of Idaho students showcased at festival opener.

By Kate Baldwin, Daily News staff writer.
Tara Swanson remembers coming to the University of Idaho’s Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival as a
high school student. She never expected that she would be onstage for opening night.
“Hamp’s Gala is a historic event, kicking off the jazz festival,” she said.
Swanson, 21, earned a place as a soloist in the Tuesday night gala for her piano performances throughout last semester.
She joined two other student soloists, pianist Chad Spears and percussionist Tony Saccomanno, who were handpicked
by their professors to perform.
Susan Hess, the interim director of the Lionel Hampton School of Music, said faculty solos used to be the focus of the festival.
The idea to feature students emerged about three years ago.
“The audience really liked it. As wonderful as our faculty are, they liked the focus on our students,” she said.
The students also appreciate the opportunity, since they rarely get to play a solo in a venue like the UI Auditorium.
“It’s really a different feel, which may get the adrenaline going a little bit more,” Hess said. “Anytime you get to perform in a
different venue, it is a learning situation because performance is very unpredictable.”
Spears said it heightened his senses so much he could hear a woman coughing about three or four rows away and
footsteps backstage.
Swanson agreed that live performances will always have distractions, but it’s normal.
“It’s all part of the fun,” Spears said.
Hess said it really is quite a different audience than the students normally play for because it includes more alumni and visitors,
as well as famous jazz artists like trumpeter Claudio Roditi, drummer Wally “Gator” Watson, and bassist Christian Fabian,
who are in town for the festival.
“If you know the music well, you play the best you can no matter where you are or who is in the audience,” Hess said.
“You play for yourself but you also play to communicate to a community of people.”
Saccomanno said the audience left him in awe, but “it’s good to play something impressive in front of people that I am
impressed by.”
“What’s more important as a performance major than performing?” he asked.
Students like Swanson, Spears, and Saccomanno are trained to play the best they can, but they weren’t alone.
The night saw five other ensembles and close to 250 students come onto the stage to play, sing, and sometimes dance.
They filled the opening night bill and showcased the energy, creativity and enthusiasm of everyone who contributes to
the UI’s program.
The students’ efforts certainly resonated with John Clayton, the jazz festival’s new artistic director.
“If we stay on this level, we’re doing just fine,” he said. “And we will. It bodes well for the future of this music.”
Among his favorites, Clayton said tenor saxophone soloist Patrick Davis was “phenomenal.” He also called out Swanson
for her classical piano piece from Franz Liszt.
“She’s the real deal,” he said.
Clayton began to recount the other pieces that impressed him and almost wound up describing the entire show.
“This was their chance to share what their strengths are, and they showed off,” he said. “It was a spectacular night.”
Clayton said it has been smooth sailing in his first year as artistic director.
“With a program like this, you don’t have to worry about fixing things. You’ll only continue to add things,” he said.
This year’s show presented a perfect example of this growth with a buoyant piece by the students in the opera/music
theatre studio class. Their piece was a scene called “Pandemonium” from the musical
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”
The scene combined students who are theater majors and music majors as well as students in the combined
theatre-music major, which is new. It went beyond jazz to show that these students could even do Broadway.
“It’s really fun, very fun,” Hess said. “I think it’s something a little different than some of the other stuff we are doing.”
The audience also witnessed a fervent mass of students take the stage in song and dance, blowing bubbles and waving
white handkerchiefs with the jazz choir ensemble. They filled the stage shoulder to shoulder and nearly threatened to
crush the stage with more than 150 students.
Hess said each year’s show offers something different.
“There are so many interesting and varied things going on, we don’t have a problem with the variety,” she said.
 

Students and staff at Deary Elementary School get a kick out of jazz guitarist Enver Izamilov's
impromptu sound effects, including an airplane flying over and various animal sounds.
Izamilov's performance Tuesday was part of the Jazz in the Schools program put on by the
University of Idaho Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.

Tickets for the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival are available
at the UI ticket office at (208) 885-7212 or toll free at 1-88-88-UIDAHO.

Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival 2007, February 21-24.
Wednesday, February 21.

The Competition Schedule:
https://www.sites.uidaho.edu/jazz/locations/public_view.asp

Young Artists Honored at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival.
The Winners.  Winners

4:00 p.m. Potlatch Young Artists Concert.
Elementary, junior high and middle school ensembles from the day’s adjudicated performances.

7:00 p.m. Pre-show
Christian Fabian, bass; Kuni Mikami, piano; Wally Gator Watson, drums; John Stowell, guitar.

7:30 p.m. Pepsi International Jazz Concert.
Nat King Cole Tribute by Monty Alexander with Freddy Cole, Jeff Hamilton, Christian McBride and Russell Malone
Benny Green, piano. Jeff Hamilton, drums. Russell Malone, guitar. Christian McBride, bass. Claudio Roditi, trumpet.
Terell Stafford, trumpet. Evelyn White, vocals and piano. Leonid Vintskevich, piano. Lembit Saarsalu, sax.
Enver Izmailov, tap guitar.

For the love of "Doc"   VIDEO. Click
MOSCOW - For over 30 years his name has been attached to the jazz festival that bears another's name.
The annual gathering of jazz professionals and jazz students is called the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival.
It's named after the man they called "Hamp."
But the man they call "Doc" played as big or bigger a role in making the week-long festival what it is today.
Wednesday night in downtown Moscow there were swinging sounds going down, but this get together was all about
Dr. Lynn Skinner, affectionately known by his admirers as "Doc."
Skinner served as executive director of the festival for the past 31 years. He's credited with laying the foundation for what's
arguably become the largest educational jazz festival in the world.
Skinner officially retired June 30, 2006, but will be serving as a part-time consultant for this year's festival.
Wednesday night he was honored at a Community Appreciation Party.  Complet Article.  Click

"Doc" Skinner enjoys a funny moment during Wednesday night's event honoring him.
 Lynn "Doc" Skinner,  introduction Lionel Hampton. 1994 Festival. VIDEO. Click

John Clayton enjoying the party. John. Lives 10 years here in The Netherlands. He speaking Dutch.

He's the man taking over direction of one of the world's most prestigious jazz festivals and John Clayton is up to the task.
VIDEO: Click
 

------------
Left to Right.
1: Ariel Pocock of Tyee Middle School at Bellevue, Wash., was judged the top rhythm soloist at student performances.
2: Canmeron Brownell of Sandpoint Middle School at Sandpoint, Idaho, was judged the top vocal bass soloist.
3: Grace Kelly of Brookline High School at Brookline, Mass., was judged the top woodwind soloist and the top vocal alto soloists.
 

-----
With Monty Alexander (left) accompanying him on the melodica, jazz great Freddy Cole entertains the crowd as he plays
the piano during a workshop at the University of Idaho's Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. Cole performed Wednesday at the
Student Union on the UI campus in Moscow.

Lincoln Middle School student Victoria-Pearl Young, right, sings "Straighten Up and Fly Right" with Freddy Cole, left, and
Monty Alexander during a clinic at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival in Moscow on Wednesday.
The song was written by Cole's late brother, Nat King Cole.
 

----
Grace Kelly, center, a middle school student from Brookline, Mass., plays the alto saxophone, supported by
bassist Christian Fabian and drummer Wally "Gator" Watson at the Pepsi International Jazz Concert at the Kibbie Dome.
Enver Izmaylov, of Simferopol, Ukraine, finger-taps a song on his guitar.
Trumpter Terell Stafford was a featured perfomer at the opening night concert.

Keeping the beat;
Lionel Hampton Jazz festival's second night salutes its history, puts spotlight on future.
Freddy Cole didn't look like a man energized by much of anything as he lounged in a chair backstage at the
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival on Wednesday night, but his eyes lit up when he talked about jazz.
Nik Vinteskevich was a little more buoyant. He kept the beat as he walked along, adding a little more bass to the show
with every step he took.
"It's an awesome experience playing here," the saxophone player from Ukraine said.
Cole called the evening a family reunion, one he's attended for the last 10 years.
The evening showcased talented young artists, paid tribute to those who keep the music alive and remembered the musicians
who pioneered jazz's rhythm and sound.
"The most important thing is the music," said Cole, the younger brother of Nat "King" Cole.
"We share the love between each other and the audience."
He said the beat will survive as long as the love continues.
It didn't seem to matter if a musician was from Eastern Europe or Massachusetts.
They jumped onstage and bonded through their common tongue - music.
Greg Abate, a saxophone player from Rhode Island, said the musicians express themselves through the music.
"Jazz isn't industrialized," Abate said. "It's open and free. It transcends popular culture."
Wally "Gator" Watson considers playing jazz to be a religious experience. He bit his bottom lip, closed his eyes and slowly
shook his head side to side as the music flowed through him into the drums.
Watson was the rhythm support for young artists who appeared on the main stage after performing earlier in the day in
jazz clinics and performances.
"It's great on one hand and scary on the other," Watson said. "I still feel young, but I'm in the place my father was years ago."
It may seem scary, but every time a new musician like Grace Kelly from Massachusetts belts out a tune on her alto sax or
Enver Izmailov of Ukraine rips out a powerful beat on his guitar, Watson knows the music will live on.
Lynn "Doc" Skinner spent his career trying to keep the beat alive, and Wednesday night's performance was structured to honor
him through formal recognition and through his own music.
Musicians from all over the world paid homage to Skinner by playing songs he's written throughout
the Pepsi International Jazz Concert. John Clayton, who last year succeeded Skinner as the festival's artistic director,
made Skinner sit center stage while the musicians played.
Skinner didn't move as he smiled and focused on the musicians.
Clayton said Skinner breathes life into the music and makes it accessible to people.
Being able to brush shoulders with people like Skinner and Cole never ceases to amaze Watson, who teaches in New York and
has come to the festival since 1991. Every year he's in awe of the talented musicians he plays alongside.
"I tell my students that I get out of bed every morning just like them and put my pants on one leg at a time," he said.
"The only difference is I walk on water. But usually it's while I'm mopping."
Cole didn't budge before he went onstage to wrap up the evening, except for the rhythm beat he kept with his head and legs.
He said he's been tapping his feet for years and the power of the beat only grows more powerful. He'll continue to keep the beat
as long as "tappin' music" is played.

Thursday, February 22.

The Competition Schedule:
https://www.sites.uidaho.edu/jazz/locations/public_view.asp

Young Artists Honored at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival.
The Winners.  Winners

7:00 p.m. Pre-show
Lembit Saarsalu, saxophone; Leonid Vintskevich, piano.

7:30 p.m. Horizon Air Ray Brown Special Guest Concert.
Jane Monheit, vocals.
Monty Alexander, Clayton, Hamilton Trio 30 year Reunion.
Tribute with Monty Alexander with Jeff Hamilton and John Clayton
Tribute to Ray Brown by Monty Alexander with Russell Malone and John Clayton.
Benny Green, piano. Jeff Hamilton, drums. Russell Malone, guitar. Christian McBride, bass
Byron Stripling, trumpet and vocals. Roberta Gambarini, vocals. Open World Russian All Stars.

Students at Lapwai Elementary got a taste of the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Thursday afternoon,
as they listened to the musical stylings of three talented musicians. VIDEO. Click
Lionel Hampton,Working with students at Lapwai Elementary School in Idaho. 1999. VIDEO. Click
 

--------------
1: Outstanding College Vocal Alto Soloist Mia Gonzales of Bellevue Community College in Bellevue, Washington.
2: Michael Cabacungan of Bellevue Community College in Bellevue, Wash., was the Outstanding College Vocal Bass soloist.
3: Outstanding College Vocal Soprano soloist Megan Moreau of Bellevue Community College at Bellevue, Washington.
 

--------
Vocalist Jane Monheit performed at the Feb. 22 concert.
John Clayton and Christian McBride join to present a Super Bass tribute to jazz legend Ray Brown.

Friday, February 23

The Competition Schedule:
https://www.sites.uidaho.edu/jazz/locations/public_view.asp

High School Vocal Results at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival.
http://www.today.uidaho.edu/details.aspx?id=3758

4:45 p.m. Young Vocal Artists Concert.
Vocal ensembles from the day’s high school adjudicated performances.

8:00 p.m. Zions Bank All-Star Jazz Concert.
Roy Hargrove Quintet. Benny Green, piano. Jeff Hamilton, drums. Russell Malone, guitar. Christian McBride, bass.
The Four Freshmen. Dee Daniels, vocals and piano.
Jeff Hamilton Trio featuring Tamir Hendelman, piano, and Christoph Luty, bass. Igor Butman, sax. Bill Watrous, trombone.

------
Igor Butman, of Moscow, Russia, plays "Nostalgia" on the saxophone, backed by Benny Green on piano,
Russell Malone on guitar, Christian McBride on bass and Jeff Hamilton on drums, at the Zion's Bank All-Star Concert.

Junior Zack Freeman (left) and sophomore Dylan Crawford (right) load drum kits into moving vans late Tuesday night
at a storage facility on Jackson Street. More photos.  Click and scrol

'Fresh' grooves at Friday night jazz concert.
Audrey Cammbell summed up her favorite band at the 40th Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival in two words:
"Totally awesome."
"I love the Four Freshmen," the 12-year-old keyboardist from Billings, Mont., said during Friday's concert. "At first,
I thought there's no way I'm going to like this - a band that plays songs from the '40s and '50s - but then I listened to them.
And oh, my God, they were so good."
The group, which performed in Friday night's Special Guest Concert, is used to the fan appreciation. They were welcomed
to the festival last year by a swarm of high school girls flaunting "I love Bob Ferreira" T-shirts.
"Bob's the man," said Freshmen trumpet player Curtis Calderon. "I was hoping they'd have sweatbands this year,
but we haven't seen any so far. There's still plenty of time, though. He is a drummer after all."
But it's not just the ladies who appreciate The Four Freshmen.
Trombonist Bill "that White Cat" Watrous had nothing but praise for the Las Vegas-based quartet at a Friday morning sound check.
"They play some ultimately cool s--t," he said, clapping. "I'm a huge fan."
Dressed in a beige suit complete with a button-up vest and flashy, blue necktie,
Waltrous walked laps around the crowded stage while his colleagues prepared for their evening performances.
He kept the conversation lively during set changes, telling jokes and talking baseball.
"Man, I love this festival," he said. "I've been coming 20 years or more. Lionel heard me play once and called me up to come here.
It was always, 'Hey, what about that white cat - the white cat who plays the trombone.'
He never could remember my name, but that was all right."
Waltrous doesn't worry much about name recognition. He's played with Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Quincy Jones and
Peggy Lee among others.
These days, he says he's all about relaxing and enjoying the music.
"You know, I had a stroke not too long ago and it's set me back a bit," he said. "It didn't affect my playing though, which was a
really blessing. Didn't affect my sense of humor either.
"So you lose a couple marbles. I can't lose my sense of humor or I'll have another stroke."
That's his advice to young up-and-comers - to keep their chins up and press on.
Brady Ellis of Colfax is one youngster Waltrous doesn't have to worry about.
The 12-year-old has been to the festival four years in a row, and while his band has never competed,
"We're good enough to," he said with a mouthful of cotton candy.
"I've always loved music so it's really nice to come here and check out all the bands."
As a drummer, he was more interested in Wally "Gator" Watson, who appeared onstage Friday night in his trademark red beret.
"Yeah, he's good," Ellis said. "We had some drummer guy come talk to us and he taught us some stuff that was really cool."
Students like Ellis and Cammbell are a tough group to please.
Cammbell admitted that she wasn't a big fan of jazz - or anything remotely like it - before she came to the festival.
"I never would have chosen to come to something like this," she said, motioning toward the stage.
"Once you listen to it though and play it - you just start to like it. This has been a really cool experience."

VIDEO: The Four Freshmen singing Day In, Day Out. The past Festival. Play

Saturday February 24

The Competition Schedule:
https://www.sites.uidaho.edu/jazz/locations/public_view.asp

Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival Student Competition Results for Feb. 24.
http://www.today.uidaho.edu/details.aspx?id=3759

4:45 p.m. Young Instrumental Artists Concert.
Instrumental ensembles from the day’s high school adjudicated performances.

7:30 p.m. Pre-show
Lionel Hampton School of Music Trombone Factory.

1989: Hamp's comments at the dedication of the Lionel Hampton School of Music.VIDEO: Play
 

8:00 p.m. Avista Giants of Jazz Concert
Lionel Hampton New York Big Band with special guest vocalists  Dee Daniels and Roberta Gambarini.
Frank Sinatra Tribute by John Pizzarelli, guitar and vocals.
Clayton Brothers Quintet.
Wycliffe Gordon, trombone. James Morrison, trumpet and trombone, Benny Green, piano.
Jeff Hamilton, drums , Russell Malone, guitar,  Christian McBride, bass.

‘Passing of the baton;'
Jazz festival’s final evening provides fitting farewell to longtime executive.

--
Vocalist Dee Daniels sings ‘‘Our Love is here to Stay,’’ backed by the Lionel Hampton New York Big Band at the
Avista Giants of Jazz Concert on Saturday at the Kibbie Dome to close out the 2007 Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival.

Drummer Montez Coleman keeps an up-tempo beat during a performance by the Roy Hargrove Quintet.

Roy Hargrove disappeared as his lips met the mouthpiece of a tired-looking trumpet.
The instrument, he said, is his shield from the audience, “my talisman.”
“I have to concentrate when I’m out there,” the 37-year-old said after his Saturday night performance at the 40th Lionel Hampton
International Jazz Festival. “I go inside myself as far as I can — just close my eyes and feel the music. That’s what improvisation is.”
While he blasted out some of the most powerful notes of the evening, Hargrove’s vulnerability on stage was perhaps the most
captivating element of his performance.
Audience members got the sense that the trumpet player and his young quintet were part of a new era not just for the jazz festival
but jazz itself as Hargrove led an emotional string of farewell tributes to the festival’s longtime executive director Lynn “Doc” Skinner.
“I never really thought much about what Doc’s retirement would mean to the festival,” Hargrove said.
Yet it was the addition of 22-year-old pianist Gerald Clayton to Hargrove’s quintet that best illustrated the beginning of a new
chapter for jazz at the University of Idaho.
Gerald’s father and jazz festival Artistic Director John Clayton shared a dance backstage with the widow of his friend and mentor R
ay Brown while Skinner enjoyed his final moments in the spotlight.
“It meant a lot that I had the opportunity to perform here tonight with the band and my father,” said Gerald, who joined the
Hargrove Quintet about two years ago. “I think the coolest thing for me was to be part of all the love. It’s what got me excited
about jazz in the first place, being a part of this community of musicians.”
The same was true for Hargrove, who grew up an outsider in a small town in Texas. Music offered him a chance to fit in somewhere
and the inspiration to achieve success.
“I was in fourth grade the first time I heard our school’s band perform and I was like, ... ‘I’ve got to be a part of that,’ ” he said.
“I wanted to play the clarinet or the sax, but we didn’t have enough money. So, I ended up playing this old coronet my dad
had bought at the pawn shop.”
Everyone laughed at him the first week of band practice, but Hargrove said — pounding his fist on the table — i
t’s he who’s laughing now.
“I got a call some years back that Lionel Hampton wanted me at this festival,” Hargrove said later in the evening.
“Hell, it’s Lionel Hampton, a pioneer in jazz. The fact that someone like him would think of me was one of the best
compliments I’d ever received.” Hargrove said there’s always been something about Moscow that reminded him of home.
That, combined with a roster of some of the biggest names in jazz, is what keeps him coming back to the festival year after year.
It’s a trend he and other festival regulars are confident will continue under John Clayton’s leadership.
“This is a big moment,” vocalist Dee Daniels said. “We’re witnessing the passing of the baton from Doc to John Clayton,
and I hope people respect the significance of that. It’s a new beginning after 40 years and I think we’ll see this festival expand
like a mushroom cloud.”
Hargrove said he’s not particularly interested in the politics of the festival — who’s running it, how much money it makes.
His main concern is the music and taking advantage of every opportunity to perform in front of a live audience.
“The first time I played a solo, that was it for me,” he said. “There’s something, I don’t know, really seductive about performing
in front of an audience. The first time I did it I heard the wheels of fortune turning — everything flowed like a river.”

Vocalist Roberta Gambarini.

When speaking about a first-class jazz experience featuring the world’s best jazz musicians and a hands-on educational experience,
Moscow is not likely the first place that comes to mind.
But, for jazz enthusiasts around the world, the University of Idaho is the site of the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival,
a 40-year tradition in which students from across the United States and Canada come to perform and meet
world-famous jazz musicians.
Wednesday marked the beginning of the Hampton Jazz Festival, which runs through Saturday.
“[The festival is] all about helping young people understand and have the desire to have this kind of music as an integral part of
their lives,” said Lynn J. “Doc” Skinner, executive director emeritus of the festival. “It is truly dedicated to make sure this music,
jazz, is not lost in future generations.” The festival consists of nightly concerts and adjudicated performances by students from
elementary school through college. Students also attend educational workshops facilitated by jazz musicians.
“It’s just a wonderful experience for young people,” said Skinner, who directed the festival for 31 years up until last year.
“Students talk with professionals, hear peers perform and hear literally the greatest jazz artists in the world perform for them.
” The experience at the Hampton Jazz Festival is one that cannot be found anywhere else, Skinner said.
“There’s no other festival in the world that’s this size and has this many artist dedicated to education,” he said.
The new artistic director, John Clayton, said the Moscow location is what gives the festival its special vivacity.
“What makes it unique is the enthusiasm of all the people who not only want to hear the music, but also be part of it,” said Clayton,
a Grammy-nominated bassist. “It has the same kind of energy you feel when you’re ... in a college town.
That college town brings openness, forward-thinking and a wonderful energy.” Students who come to
the Hampton Jazz Festival get an educational experience they don’t have access to at their individual schools, Clayton said.
“[The greatest asset to students is] the heightened learning environment and artistic environment they experience when
they’re out here,” he said. “You’re not only able to share what you’ve done, you’re able to hear others and be inspired by it.”
The festival will feature 850 entries, including solos, combinations, big bands and choirs, representing approximately 400 schools,
Skinner said.
“Kids perform for one another and for incredible judges who help them learn this music better,” he said.
This year’s festival features Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Roberta Gambarini, a Zions Bank All-Star Jazz Concert and a
culminating concert on Saturday with the Lionel Hampton New York Big Band, among several other events.
All events are free except the Avista Giants of Jazz Concert on Saturday evening.

Virtual Tour. The Festival, Kibby Dome. ClickTo see an interior view.  Click

Videos.
Washington All State High School Jazz Choir.
Kamiak  Jazz choir.  All of You. Play  I've Got To Be Me.  Play- Over By The Bay. Play

Here are some highlights from the four-day festival.   Click

Photo: The lionel Hampton Orchestra. Click

Final: Four the young festival artists. This was the great Lionel Hampton.
Six, Lionel Hampton Videos from my Countries, Holland and Belgium + 120min. audio.
The Big Chase:   1959 at the Opera House Luik (Liege) Belgium. Play   RTFB TV.
Tom Tom Solo.  1959 at the Opera House Luik (Liege) Belgium. Play-((RTFB TV.  Hamp, the Clown.
At the North Sea Jazz Festival 1978.  The Hampton Alumni Big Band. Play
At the North Sea Jazz Festival 1979.  The Hampton Alumni Big Band. Play
At the Flint Theatre, Amersfoort, The Netherlands. 1979. Paul Moens, Joe Newman, Billy Mackel.  Play
The complet (50%) concert, audio. 30 min. Never on radio, Lp or CD. 30 min, the broadcast. 1979. + The Big Band. 60min.Click
Lionel Hampton and the Golden Man of Jazz. North Sea Jazz Fest. 1994. Age 86. For the last time on europe tour.   Play

Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival 2006.

Tickets for the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival are available
at the UI ticket office at (208) 885-7212 or toll free at 1-88-88-UIDAHO.
Ticket prices range from $21 to $31.

2006 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.
The Workshops  PDF.

Jr high alto solo winner, Nicki Lee.  Lionel Hampton Jazz Fest Feb/2006. Video.  Play
Four Freshmen singing Day In, Day Out. Video.  Play

Thuesday, February 21, 2006.
The Lionel Hampton Gala.

Pianist Tara Swanson accompanies Patrick Davis while he plays a tenor saxophone solo at Hamp’s Gala Tuesday at the
University Auditorium in Moscow. The concert marks the beginning of the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival.

Jazz musicians, John Stowell, (left), of Portland, Ore., and Corey Christiansen of St. Louis, Mo., play a few of their
favorite tunes during a visit to Clarkston's Highland Elementary School. Stowell and Christiansen spent Tuesday
afternoon introducing kids to jazz through Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival's Jazz in the Schools program.
 

Young musicians set soaring pace; Hamp’s Gala celebrates music education and the students who dive into it. Mistakes were welcome but few at Hamp’s Gala, the student-led opening concert of the Lionel Hampton International  Jazz Festival Tuesday. “Our goal is to showcase students, not faculty. They need to be given the chance to make  mistakes,” said James Murphy, director of the University of Idaho’s Lionel Hampton School of Music.  That’s how they learn.  “There’s a gag in jazz. If you don’t play it like a mistake, it won’t be,” he said.  Students like Ryan Coles, Kent Queener and Patrick Davis were among the performers who had to keep their heads  under heavy pressure.  “They just get psyched to perform,” Murphy said. “With musicians, the biggest problem is their own psychological block.”  Staying calm was key for the University of Idaho music majors.  When he plays the trumpet, his ability to hit high notes and maintain them decreases if he feels nervous and tight,  Cole said. “I try not too think too hard. If you just let all the years of practice kick in, it helps a great deal.”  The senior began to laugh after realizing his professors never taught him how to relax.  “They only tell us to relax.”  Somewhere between “So What” and “Hamp’s Boogie,” pieces by Miles Davis and Lionel Hampton respectively,  it hit Murphy as he looked down the rows. He began to chuckle.  “What pressure?” he asked as his hands stretched toward the first seats where some of the world’s greatest jazz  musicians were listening. “Tell them to relax ... ?”  Cole’s fellow Jazz Band I member, Kent Queener, had the added pressure of being a student soloist at the gala.  He was one of six soloists who earned their positions during three rounds of selections that took place in the fall.  The sophomore pianist has his own trick before walking on stage.  “I have a habit of not listening to the performance before me,” he said.  For that reason, Queener missed the solo of junior Patrick Davis, a tenor saxophonist. Though this was only one of many concerts he’s performed, it did stand out for the music performance major.  His piece, “Concerto” by Robert Ward, a slinking film-noir instrumental, was among the first he was able to learn by both  ear and Braille.  Davis, who has been blind since birth, has played for roughly 11 years. He learned to play by ear and audio recordings. His piece illustrates a new door open to musicians at the university through a music to Braille translation program.  UI sophomore Eli Johnston figured out how to use the software so that Davis could maximize its benefits.  Johnston said they’ve created a system for a three-day turnaround for translations of notes to dots. He’s grateful for people like Daniel Bukvich, a professor who pushed everyone to go faster. He said, “Oh, just give the boy the software already,”  Johnston said. Murphy agreed the work of many made the night possible for everyone.  Hamp’s Gala is a tribute to what the festival and the music program can do, he said.  “It was started as a concert for Hamp, who was always a strong advocate for kids learning to play serious music,” Murphy said.  Like the addition of the Braille transcription program, the expansion of music education is a hallmark of the festival.  “I get to learn a new language and help (Davis) learn at the same time,” Johnston said.  “It’s a rare, powerful tool,” Johnston said. “It was the one thing missing from his superb musicianship.”  “It’s a lot easier to understand what the composer is getting at,” Davis said. “You pick up more things — dynamically.” “I definitely say, get as early as a start as you can,” he said. “The more experience you can get with music, whether playing it by ear or reading it, give both an equal chance. You can never have too many musical tools that you can use.”  As for being nervous, Davis certainly can hear the audience even though he can’t see it. “And you can’t see where the tomatoes are coming from.”

Wednesday, February 22, 2006 (scheduled to appear)  4:00PM.
Potlatch Outstanding Young Artists Concert
Outstanding Elementary, Jr. High and Middle School ensembles from the day’s adjudicated performances.
Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival Student Competition Winners for Feb. 22:   Click

PEPSI INTERNATIONAL JAZZ CONCERT. 7.30PM.
SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO LOU RAWLS
HANK JONES, piano. FREDDY COLE,  vocals. BENNY GREEN, piano .RUSSELL MALONE, guitar  JEFF HAMILTON, drums.
JOHN CLAYTON, bass. BYRON STRIPLING, vocals and trumpet. CLAUDIO RODITI QUINTET.
PAQUITO D'RIVERA, saxophone and clarinet. LEMBIT SAARSALU, saxophone. LEONID VINTSKEVICH, piano.
ENVER IZMAILOV, guitar. JAY ASHBY, trombone.HOUSTON PERSON, saxophone

Also featuring the Outstanding Soloists from the day's competition.

HANK JONES play Duke Ellington songs. Live, 1999. Dutch Concert. Play

Bathed in blue stage lights,saxophonist Houston Person teams up with guitarist Russell Malone, Jeff Hamilton on drums
and John Clayton on bass during the Pepsi International Jazz Concert at the Kibbie Dome on Wednesday.
 

A soulful goodbye to Rawls; Jazz festival family mourns recent death of popular vocalist. The musicians who perform in the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival each year come to think of themselves  as a family. They remembered a beloved brother as the Pepsi International Concert on Wednesday night served as a tribute to singer Lou Rawls, who died Jan. 6.  “I loved him, loved performing with him,” bassist John Clayton said during a break backstage. “It was really fun to play with  him and stand next to him and feel his voice resonating in my body.”  Singer Dee Daniels never had the chance to perform with Rawls, but she formed a bond with him through their mutual love for the Moscow jazz fest.  “I developed a friendship with him and looked forward to seeing him every year,” Daniels said. “It is such a loss to have  him leaving us. He will be sorely missed here.”  Lynn Skinner, the festival’s executive director, called Rawls a “dear friend and longtime supporter” as he introduced the  night’s line-up of artists. The list included the Freddy Cole Quartet, who showed video of Rawls’ performances at past j azz festivals while performing a series of romantic ballads set to slow swing beats.  Cole’s melodic voice enticed listeners to seize the day. “Take this moment, if only for one moment’s happiness.” “Freddy Cole knows how to get inside a song and sell a song,” Daniels said. “He makes you feel like he’s talking to you.”  Daniels was a spectator at the tribute concert. She will perform as part of the Zions Bank All-Star Jazz Concert at 8 p.m. Friday. She enjoyed sitting back Wednesday night and just listening to fellow artists, including pianist Hank Jones, who was performing as part of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Jazz Master Tour.  “It’s wonderful to hear HankJones again,” Daniels said. “You say, ‘How can somebody (86) years old get better?’ But he does.”  Jones’ music was evocative of the glamour of the 1950s, when Havana was a playground paradise and the glitterati flocked to smoky New York clubs to hear their favorite musicians play the music of the day.  When saxophonist Houston Person joined in, the music took on a more romantic tone — perfect for a sultry dance with a true  love. Each artist got a chance to shine, a moment in the spotlight to win a round of applause from the crowd.  Pianist Benny Green rocked back and forth on his piano bench during the first song of the evening. He hit the keys with a  frenetic energy that drew waves of applause from the audience.  Guitarist Russell Malone blew a kiss to the audience after a group of women in the back shouted, “We love you!” He picked  a steady strum like a heartbeat on his electric guitar. The low vibrations tugged at the soul, pulling the listener into a world of pure sound, pure jazz.  Clayton fingered his bass with eyes closed, mouthing something secret as the staccato tones jumped from his instrument.  “The music is not in the bass, it’s in the person,” Clayton said. “My goal as an artist is to become one with my instrument.  I think of the bass as an amplifier of the music within me.”  Returning to jazz fest was a pleasure for Clayton.  “I love the familial aspects of it. We all love each other. We don’t compete with each other.” he said. Jazz is “like a big support group throughout the world.”  Families have a way of growing, even as they mourn the loss of someone beloved.  The jazz fest family welcomed four new younger siblings Wednesday night as middle-schoolers Keelan Dimick of Eagle, Idaho,  Nicki Lee of Moscow, Sean Brugger of Shoreline, Wash. and Lacy Hendrickson of Palouse-Garfield stole the show with solo  performances rivaling those of their professional peers.  It was an experience Clayton believes they will carry with them throughout their lives, no matter what professions they  ultimately choose. “It’s exciting to see this many people touching jazz.”

Thursday, February 23, 2006 (scheduled to appear). 7.30PM.

HORIZON AIR RAY BROWN SPECIAL GUEST CONCERT.  SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO HANK JONES.

HANK JONES, piano. ROY HARGROVE QUINTET. BENNY GREEN, piano. RUSSELL MALONE, guitar.
JEFF HAMILTON, drums. JOHN CLAYTON, bass. ROBERT HURST, bass
JEFF HAMILTON TRIO W/JEFF HAMILTON, TAMIR HENDELMAN, CHRISTOPH LUTY.
ROBERTA GAMBARINI, vocals. HOLLY HOFMANN, flute. EVELYN WHITE, vocals and piano
ELDAR DJANGIROV, piano.CHRISTOPH LUTY,  bass

Also featuring the Outstanding Soloists from the day's competition.
Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival Student Competition Winners for Feb. 23:  Click

----
Szofia Komaromy-Hiller, 10, of Valencia, Calif., plays the piano while jazz pianist Jim Martinez, right, listens after a
Dee Daniels clinic at the First United Methodist Church in Moscow on Thursday.
Three basses - Robert Hurst, Christoph Luty and John Clayton - perform Feb. 23 at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival.

An evening of great moments

Vocalist Roberta Gambarini joins the Kibbie Dome stage with guitarist Russell Malone and
Hank Jones on the piano during the Horizon Air Ray Brown Special Guest Concert Thursday.
 
 

Jeff Hamilton remembers his first time playing at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.  “I was fortunate enough to play with Ray (Brown) in the late 1980s,” the drummer told the crowd during  Thursday night’s performance. “Our first gig was in Moscow. He told me this was one of the best places to  play with the greatest audience.”  Since then, Hamilton has been involved in the festival nearly every year and the Horizon Air Ray Brown  Special Guest Concert was no exception.  Hamilton played in the late legendary jazz bass player’s trio for seven or eight years and accompanied him  for a total of 25 years. Brown died in 2002.  Brown “was one of the innovators of be-bop and designed a style of playing bass,” he said.  “He met every note he played.”  Hamilton chose a sensitive piece with a “soft pace” to honor Brown.  The song, “Joy” gets to the root of emotions about joy, he said.  As part of the in-house band and later with the Jeff Hamilton Trio, Hamilton blew audience members away with his beats from up-tempo sassy jazz tunes to slower, more melodic tunes. “When you play a ballad and get a standing ovation from the crowd, you know it’s a good night,” he said.  Holly Hofmann wowed the crowd with her jazz flute renditions of “Bohemia After Dark,”  “The Very Thought of You” and “Squatty Roo.”  She dedicated the slow, soulful “The Very Thought of You” to the late Brown and his wife, who was sitting in  the audience.  “Squatty Roo” then livened the mood with a high-spirited, up-tempo beat.  Jazz fest Director Lynn Skinner called Hofmann a “marvelous musician.”  “It takes a special person to understand the use of this interest and how it should be played,” he said.  The lineup also included the Roy Hargrove Quintet, Benny Green, Russell Malone, John Clayton,  Roberta Gambarini, Dena Derose, Eldar Djangirov, Hofmann and outstanding vocal and instrumental soloists college students.  The evening also included a Hank Jones Tribute. Jones, 86, accompanied musicians on the piano,  fingers flying or caressing the keys, depending on the mood of the song.  “He has a level of finesse rarely matched by jazz pianists,” Hofmann said.  Pianist and vocalist Derose echoed these sentiments.  “His touch is what most pianists think about” when they are playing, she said. “His touch is soft and beautiful.”  She wowed the crowd earlier in the evening with her renditions of “Lover,” “I Thought About You” and  “When the Lights are Low.”  “In my ear you breathe a flame; all my future is in you,” she crooned.  She was joined by Malone on guitar and Clayton performed a bass solo, much to the crowd’s delight.  Derose said this was her first time performing at the festival but it’s been an incredible experience.  “The people just eat up (the music) and the festival is so professionally run,” she said. Hannk Jones, who has performed six or seven times at the festival, said he was happy to be honored. “I’m really grateful. The audience is very receptive,” he said.  Moscow resident Mary Mack has been attending the festival since 1984. “It’s amazing to hear such great music in Moscow, Idaho,” she said. “It blows me away every year.”  Christine Moffitt, University of Idaho professor, said she never misses a jazz festival and even plans her vacations around the concerts.  “I love the fact that it engages the young people,” she said. “I’ve been following (the musicians) over the years  and I feel like I’ve known them forever.”  She has the same seats in the front row each year and she sits next to the same people each year.  “It’s the biggest event ever,” she said. “The outreach potential is enormous.”  Brian Mueller of Eastern Washington University was one of the outstanding instrumental soloists.  “It was really exciting” playing on stage, he said. “It was like a rock concert but with jazz.”  He said he wasn’t nervous to perform. “I went up there and I was going to have fun.”  Emily Usher of Olympic College, outstanding vocal soloist performed “Honeysuckle Rose”.  “It was really exciting,” she said. “I’ve done community theater but nothing this big.”

Roy Hargrove demonstrates his trumpeting skills during a jazz clinic Thursday evening in the Student Union Building Ballroom.
Hargrove performed along with the rest of his quartet (Dwayne Burno, bass; Ron Matthews, piano; Willie Jones III, drums; and
Justin Robinson, saxophone.

Friday, February 24, 2006 (scheduled to appear). 4.45PM:

Verizon Outstanding Young Vocal Artists Concert.

Featuring the outstanding high school vocal ensembles from the days adjudicated performances.
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Student Competition Winners for Feb. 24 --Click

Zions Bank All Star Concert. SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO JAMES MOODY. 8.00PM.

JAMES MOODY, saxophone. HANK JONES, piano. BENNY GREEN, piano. RUSSELL MALONE, guitar.
JEFF HAMILTON, drums.  JOHN CLAYTON, bass. SLIDE HAMPTON, trombone.
THE FOUR FRESHMEN, vocals. DEE DANIELS, vocals. JAMES MORRISON, trombone and trumpet.

8PM:  24  Feb: The Dizzie Gillespie All Star Band in the Kibbie Dome.  Guest: Vocalist Roberta Gambarini.
The band includes former Gillespie accompanists James Moody, Hank Jones and Slide Hampton.

Also featuring the Outstanding Soloists from the day's competition.

Jazz great James Moody plays saxophone for a large audience at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival
Zion’s Bank All Star Concert Friday.

JAMES MOODY: For his 75th birthday. Moody, Jimmy Heath, Tito Puente, Kenny Barron, Slide Hampton, John Faddis.  Play
JAMES MOODY Quartet: Live at the Netherlands 1996.   Play

Saturday: 4.45PM.
Conn- Selmer Outstanding Young Instrumental Artists Concert
Outstanding instrumental ensembles from the day’s adjudicated performances

AVISTA Giants of Jazz Concert. 8.00PM.

LIONEL HAMPTON NEW YORK BIG BAND WITH SPECIAL GUEST JACK JONES
HANK JONES, piano. BENNY GREEN, piano. RUSSELL MALONE, guitar. JEFF HAMILTON, drums.
JOHN CLAYTON, bass. JAMES MORRISON, trumpet and trombone. LORRAINE FEATHER, vocals.
SHELLY BERG, piano

Also featuring the Outstanding Soloists from the day's competition.
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Student Competition Winners for Feb. 25 Click

Jazz fan Patrick Stenberg of Sitka, Alaska captures a moment with his camera phone of the performance by the
Lionel Hampton School of Music Trombone Factory during the pre-show prior to the Avista Giants of Jazz concert Saturday.
 

Lynn “Doc” Skinner is applauded at the announcement of his retirement as executive director of Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.
University of Idaho President Tim White is behind him.
 

Thanks for the memories! Musicians share thoughts on retirement of Doc Skinner, jazz festival executive director. There were no drawn-out goodbyes or emotional speeches Saturday night for retiring  Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival Executive Director Lynn “Doc” Skinner.  University of Idaho President Tim White gave a brief statement at Saturday’s concert about Skinner’s possible involvement with future festivals, but did not elaborate on the details.  “As many of you know, Doc is pulling in more than 40 years at the UI, and we would like to acknowledge his work, ” White said. “We talked today with the musicians and the board of directors about keeping Doc involved. As you know, he is responsible for attracting the talent at this festival.”  After a round of applause, the concert continued and nothing more was said about the executive director or the festival’s future.  Doc Skinner said Saturday he wasn’t going to discuss the details of his retirement or continued involvement with the festival.  “As is the case with everything in life, things have got to change,” said guitarist Russell Malone, a fixture at the festival since 1998. “Doc has done a good job, and I’m sure whoever takes over will do a good job as well.”  Malone said his involvement with the festival over the past eight years was dictated more by the caliber of talent and educational  opportunities for young musicians than it was by the festival’s leadership.  “It’s great to come back here every year and see all of the fresh young artists,” he said. “The students get a chance to attend the  workshops and learn from professional musicians. It’s very encouraging to see these young people learning about jazz.” Australian musician James Morrison, whose performance on trumpet and trombone stole the evening, shared similar  comments about the jazz festival. Unlike Malone, Morrison said he never would have come to the festival had it not been for Skinner’s tenacity in tracking him down.  “He’s the whole reason I’m here,” Morrison said. “Doc is very hands-on. You’ve got festivals all over the world where you have  directors, and a whole lot of other people choosing the artists and the music. Doc Skinner is much more involved in that process  than a lot of other directors.”  He said Skinner deserves full credit for building a successful festival that’s talked about worldwide.  Many artists, including jazz pianist Benny Green and trumpet player and singer Byron Stripling, shared stories in the past week  about Skinner’s role in bringing them to the jazz festival.  Stripling had just performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival when Skinner invited him to Moscow.  “I called some friends and they said, ‘Man, you’ve got to do it,” Stripling said. Green already had performed in Moscow several times when he received a call from Skinner about four years ago to fill  Hank Jones’ spot in the festival’s house band.  “He called me up and said Hank Jones was sick and wanted to know if I could fill in,” Green said. “I’ve been coming back ever since.”  Saturday night’s artists were unanimous in the feeling that whoever takes over management has their work cut out for them.  “Who wants to fill those shoes?” asked Lionel Hampton New York Big Band member John David Simon. “Doc has such charisma and positive energy. I’m very sorry to hear he won’t be here anymore.”  He said Skinner obviously loves jazz and musicians. He always looked out for their best interests on stage and off, Simon added.  “He’s so good at pairing musicians on stage who haven’t necessarily played together before,” he said. “It creates a great kind  of jam session atmosphere. You have to know the artists and their playing styles to pull that off.”  Morrison said that’s exactly the kind of hands on director a festival needs to be successful — someone with connections who knows  the artists and won’t take no for an answer.  “He is the festival,” Morrison said. “I’m sad to see him go.”

 

Saturday’s student winners at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz festival. Garfield High School of Seattle earned top honors at the final day of student competitions at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho. The group was selected Outstanding Festival Band.  The day’s competitions featured more than 375 high school and secondary school bands, combos and soloists. Groups from across  the United States and Canada performed to earn Outstanding Young Artist awards.  Student winners were announced at the Outstanding Young Instrumental Artists Concert in the Kibbie-ASUI Activity Center. The outstanding student groups and soloists were:  * Outstanding Festival Band: Garfield High School (Seattle), Clarence Acox, director  * Outstanding Festival Choir: Roosevelt High School (Seattle)  * Outstanding A Band: South Whidby High School (Langley, Wash.), Chris Harshman, director; Runners-up: Lord Tweedsmuir  Secondary School (Surrey, B.C., Canada), Ron Rutly director; Elgin Park Secondary School (Surrey), Gayle Coon, director  * Outstanding A Combo: King’s High School (Seattle) Wayne Pumphrey, director; Runners-up: Wellington Secondary School II (Nanaimo, B.C., Canada) Carmella Luvisotto, director; Wellington Secondary School I (Nanaimo) Carmella Luvisotto, director  * Outstanding AA Band, site 1: Black Hills High School (Olympia, Wash.) Mike Suhling, director; Runners-up:  WF West High School (Chahalis, Wash.) Dan Judd, director; Squalicum High School II (Bellingham, Wash.) Edd George, director.  * Outstanding AA Band, site 2: West Valley High School II (Yakima, Wash.) Ron Gerhardstein, director; Runners-up: Princess  Margaret Secondary School (Penticton, B.C., Canada) Don Grant, director; Hanford High School (Richland, Wash.)  Kevin Swisher, director  * Outstanding AA Combo: Elgin Park Secondary School (Surrey) Guyle Coon, director; Runner-up: Bonney Lake High School (Bonney Lake, Wash.) Vanessa Sielert, director  * Outstanding AAA Band, site 1: Newport High School I (Bellevue, Wash.) Matt Eisenhauer, director; Runners-up:  Garfield High School II (Seattle) Clarence Acox, director; West Valley High School I (Yakima) Ron Gerhardstein, director  * Outstanding AAA Band, site 2: Spokane High School I (Mead, Wash.) Scott Jones, director; Runners-up: Roosevelt High School II (Seattle) Scott Brown, director; Mountlake Terrace High School II (Mountlake Terrace, Wash.) Darin Faul, director  * Outstanding AAA Combo: Mt. Spokane High School (Mead) Scott Jones, director; Runners-up: Newport High School  (Bellevue) Matt Eisenhaur, director; Port Angeles High School (Port Angeles, Wash.) Douglas Gailey, director  * Outstanding AAAA Band, site 1: Garfield High School (Seattle) Clarence Acox, director; Runners-up: Roosevelt High School (Seattle) Scott Brown, director; Jackson High School (Mill Creek, Wash.) Lesley Moffat, director  Outstanding AAAA Band, site 2: Edmonds Woodway High School (Edmonds, Wash.) Jack Bergevin, director; Runners-up:  Mountlake Terrace High School (Mountlake Terrace) Darin Faul, director; Mead High School (Spokane) Terry Lack, director  * Outstanding AAAA Combo: Walla Walla High School (Walla Walla, Wash.) Andrew Veckert, director; Runners-up:  Edmonds Woodway High School I (Edmonds, Wash.) Jake Bergevin, director; Roosevelt High School (Seattle)  Outstanding B Band: Vanier Catholic Secondary School (Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada) Anne Turner, director; Runners-up:  Petersburg High School (Petersburg, Alaska) Matt Lenhard, director; Mt. Sentinel Secondary School (South Slocan, B.C., Canada) Rick Lingard, director  * Outstanding B Combo: Mt. Sentinal Secondary School (South Slocan) Rick Lingard, director; Runners-up: Genesee  High School (Genesee, Idaho) Kelly Caldwell, director; Vanier Catholic Secondary School (Whitehorse) Anne Turner, director  * Outstanding High School Open Band: Beaverton Arts and Communications Magnet Academy I (Beaverton, Ore.) Robert  Crowell, director; Runner-up: Beaverton Arts and Communications Magnet Academy II (Beaverton) Robert Crowell, director  * Outstanding Open Division Combo: Beaverton Arts and Communications Magnet Academy (Beaverton) Robert Crowell, director  * Outstanding Junior Division Band: Ekstein Middle School (Seattle) Moc Escobedo, director; Runners-up:  Washington Middle School (Seattle) Robert Knatt, director; Langley Middle School (Langley, Wash.) Matt Frost, director  * Outstanding Junior Division Combo: Washington Middle School (Seattle) Robert Knatt, director; Runners-up:  Eckstein Middle School II (Seattle) Moc Escobedo, director; South Whidbey Junior High School (Langley) Chris Harshman.  * Outstanding Junior Secondary Band: Semiahmoo Secondary School (Surrey) Kevin Lee and Gregory Farrugia, directors;  Runners-up: Wellington Secondary School II (Nanaimo) Carmella Luvisotto, director; Elgin Park Secondary School (Surrey)  Guyle Coon, director  * Outstanding Baritone Sax Solo: Nathaniel Irby, Mountlake Terrace High School (Mountlake Terrace)  * Outstanding Alto Sax Solo: Logan Strosahl, Roosevelt High School (Seattle)  * Outstanding Tenor Sax Solo: Daniel Wager, Jackson High School (Mill Creek)  * Outstanding Bass Solo: Jeff Picker, Beaverton Arts and Communications Magnet Academy (Beaverton) * Outstanding Clarinet Solo: Patrick Courtin, Wellington Secondary School (Nanaimo)  * Outstanding Drum Solo: Brian Greggs, Roosevelt High School (Seattle)  * Outstanding Euphonium Solo: Katie Harper, Aldergrove Community Secondary School (Aldergrove, B.C., Canada)  * Outstanding Flute Solo: Anh Phung, Sardis Secondary School (Chilliwack, B.C., Canada) * Outstanding Guitar Solo: Stephan Connolly, Omak High School (Omak, Wash.)  * Outstanding Piano Solo: Scotty Bemis, Roosevelt High School (Seattle)  * Outstanding Trombone Solo: Sam Schlosser, Garfield High School (Seattle)  * Outstanding Trumpet Solo: Dylan Smith, Edmonds Woodway High School (Edmonds)  * Outstanding Vibes Solo: Robert Langgslet, Beaverton Arts and Communications Magnet Academy (Beaverton)  * Outstanding Violin Solo: Sarah Parenteau, Wellington Secondary School (Nanaimo)

 

From the Lewis Clark State College website.. LCSC Jazz Band wins title at Hampton Jazz Festival. The LCSC Jazz Band, under the direction of Bill Perconti, was again named the Outstanding Open Division Band  at the 2006 Lionel Hamption Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho which wrapped up last Saturday in Moscow. Also, the LCSC Concert Choir, under the direction of Joel Pals, was designated a runner-up to the Outstanding Open  Division Choir at the same festival. Congratulations to the members and directors of both groups.

x

The Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival, Wednesday through Saturday, Moscow, Idaho From the Seattle Times jazz critic website:  Garfield, Eckstein, Newport are tops. MOSCOW, Idaho — After a thrilling performance of the Quincy Jones tune "We Had a Ball" at the winners'  concert in the Kibbie Dome Saturday night, Seattle's Garfield High School took the festival "sweepstakes" for best overall band, edging out archrival Roosevelt. That was just one of the highlights at this year's Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival, which featured some  cliffhanging student competitions, a few splendid evening performances and the retirement of the event's longtime  director. One of the most hotly contested prizes went to Seattle's Eckstein Middle School, bested earlier this month at the Bellevue Jazz Festival by its rival, Washington Middle School. "It must have been close," said Eckstein director Moc Escobedo, an opinion confirmed by the judges. In a festival characterized by a wide geographic spread of awards, Bellevue's Newport High School took best AAA big band — the sixth year in a row — and Edmonds-Woodway High School took the AAAA (Site II) prize. Daniel Wager, of Jackson High School in Mill Creek, took the tenor saxophone solo award, and the AAAA combo wreath  went to dark horse Walla Walla. Now in its 39th year, the Hampton Festival attracts more than 10,000 students from more than 300 schools and offers four evenings of all-star concerts. Saturday night, Lynn "Doc" Skinner, who began as director in 1972, bid an emotional farewell.  Doc Skinner brought Lionel Hampton into the festival in 1984 and named it after him the following year. "Thanks,  Hamp," said Skinner, as images of the event scrolled on TV screens at either side of the stage and a recording played  of Hamp singing "What a Wonderful World." The concerts, overall, were mixed. The always-wonderful tenor saxophonist James Moody delivered a whooping,  yodeling version of his famous ballad, "Moody's Mood for Love." Moody joined the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, which featured deliciously greasy high brass, and so did piano master Hank Jones, who now owns as many years as  the piano has keys. Later, in a workshop, Jones dazzled the house with a gliding, soft-shoe "Ain't Misbehavin'." Australian trumpet and trombone virtuoso James Morrison offered some entertaining stunts, including an entire trombone  solo played without moving the slide. The house rhythm section of Benny Green (piano), Russell Malone (guitar), John Clayton (bass) and Jeff Hamilton  (drums) provided a generous platform for guests, as well as shining and swinging on their own. Vocalists Roberta Gambarini and Dee Daniels, both festival regulars, were delightful. But it's hard to imagine a worse program choice than The Four Freshman (founded in 1948 — no original members), a vocal group that sang OK, but is  even more harmonically and rhythmically "square" than the corny vocal arrangements so often taught to high-school kids. Equally confusing was the inclusion of '60s pop crooner, Jack Jones, who, unlike his master, Tony Bennett, bears little r elation to jazz. Hampton's ghost band, which now calls itself the Lionel Hampton New York Big Band, as always, closed the festival with  an infectious — if obvious and shrill — set of frantic backbeats. The Lionel Hampton Center's International Jazz Collections offered a modest exhibit in the Kibbie Dome and a terrific  vintage film program at the Kenworthy Theatre, in downtown Moscow. Here is the list of festival winners from the Seattle area. (For a list including runners-up: www.seattletimes.com/blogjazzetc.) Saturday — Festival band (sweepstakes): Garfield High School, Clarence Acox, director; A Band: South Whidbey High School  (Langley), Chris Harshman, director; A Combo: King's High School (Shoreline), Wayne Pumphrey, director; AA Band, site 1: Black Hills High School (Olympia), Mike Suhling, director; AAA Band, site 1: Newport High School I (Bellevue),  Matt Eisenhauer, director; AAAA Band, site 1: Garfield High School; AAAA Band, site 2: Edmonds-Woodway High School, Jake Bergevin, director; junior-division band: Eckstein Middle School, Moc Escobedo, director; junior-division combo:  Washington Middle School, Robert Knatt, director. Baritone sax: Nathaniel Irby, Mountlake Terrace High School; alto sax: Logan Strosahl, Roosevelt High School; tenor sax:  Daniel Wager, Jackson High School (Mill Creek); drums: Brian Greggs, Roosevelt High School; piano: Scotty Bemis,  Roosevelt High School; trombone: Sam Schlosser, Garfield High School; trumpet: Dylan Smith,  Edmonds-Woodway High School. Friday (Vocal Day) — Festival choir (sweepstakes): Roosevelt High School, Scott Brown, director; A Choir King's High School (Shoreline), Wayne Pumphrey; AAAA Choir: Garfield High School, Carol Burton, director; multi-mic choir:  Roosevelt High School, Scott Brown; rhythm-section combo: Edmonds-Woodway High School, Jake Bergevin, director. Alto solo: Merrily Scruggs-James, Garfield High School; bass solo: Mike Gullo, Roosevelt High School; tenor solo:  Davey Friedman, Roosevelt High School. Thursday (College Day) — Vocal alto solo: Emily Usher, Olympic College (Bremerton); vocal bass solo: Zach Tranoum, Bellevue Community College; Community-college band: Pierce College (Lakewood), Kareem Kandi, director; multi-mic choir: Bellevue Community College, Thomas Almli, director; open division choir: Olympic College, Teresa Fraser, director. Wednesday — Festival choir (sweepstakes) — King's Junior High School (Shoreline), Darla Pumphrey, director; middle-school band: Tyee Middle School (Bellevue), Mark Wilbert, director; junior-high-school choir: King's Junior High School,  Darla Pumphrey; junior male voice solo: Sean Brugger, King's Junior High School. Hans Bebop, The Netherlands..

Promo Video for The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and The Lionel Hampton Center. 6.35 min.  Play

Moscow, home of UI's main campus, is located on the western slopes of the Rockies, in the northern part of Idaho, and is a rural
and welcoming community of 18,000 people, about 90 miles southeast of Spokane, Washington.
Part of Moscow's charm rests in its being a safe community, where children can play and adults can take a leisurely walk with
peace of mind. It epitomizes the unofficial motto of Idaho: "what America used to be."
This area of the Pacific Northwest is abundant with lakes, rivers and rolling hills. Fishing, hunting, camping and backpacking
are major outdoor activities, and several ski areas are within easy driving distance.
Known as "the Heart of the Arts," Moscow is a cultural center, providing live theater, galleries, literary readings, ballet,
and a wide variety of musical performances. Indeed, the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, held on campus in February, brings
the finest jazz musicians and thousands of fans from all over the country to enjoy the performances. Such jazz greats as
Lionel Hampton himself, Ray Brown, Betty Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Diana Krall, Branford Marsalis,
Wynton Marsalis, Marian McPartland, Lou Rawls, Dianne Reeves, and Sarah Vaughan have appeared in concert and have
taught student workshops on campus. The university's Department of Theater Arts and its students have received national awards
Those Moscow residents who also like film have a choice among 14 movie theaters within easy walking and driving distance.

2004/02/22: For 38 years the hills of the Palouse in North Idaho have come alive with the sounds of great jazz.
This year's Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival is Feb. 23-26 at the University of Idaho in Moscow.
By day, the public can attend free music clinics and enjoy competitions among the 10,000 band and choir students that will attend
from the United States and Canada. Student winners strut their stuff in concerts each afternoon.
Jazz greats perform at evening concerts at the Kibbie Dome. Performers include vocalist Lou Rawls,
Lionel Hampton New York Big Band, Jane Monheit, Freddy Cole, Roy Hargrove, Randy Brecker and John Pizzarelli.
The final evening is a tribute to Hampton, who performed and extended invitations to jazz greats from 1985 until
his death in 2002.

Roy Hargrove is among the performers at this year's Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow.

Hamp's Vision: The Lionel Hampton Center is a dream come true for me. I see it as a home for jazz.
All of the musicians are excited to have a place where their  collections can be joined with mine so that
jazz history can be performed and studied through the lives of those who made it happen the artists
themselves. In order to ensure this legacy,  we need millions of people around the world to support our
efforts so that jazz education can continue to live  through. The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival,
The Lionel Hampton School of Music, and the International Jazz Collections at The Lionel Hampton Center.

The Collection, Lectures en Films:  Click
Artist Workshops:Click

Tuesday Hamp's Gala.
Gala's got the beat; Festival begins with music students bringing their best.

The University of Idaho Bassoon Ensemble plays "Entrance and Polka of the Bassoon Players"
at the Administration Building Auditorium for Hamp's Gala on Tuesday.

It was an evening of classical music, Amazonian rainsticks and jazz - not to mention a few family reunions.
Tuesday's Hamp's Gala, the official start to this week's Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, featured an exuberant collection of
University of Idaho music students playing their hearts out to a crowd of several hundred.
The crowd gave back, filling the UI Administration Building Auditorium with cheers and several standing ovations.
As it has for nearly 20 years, Hamp's Gala, named for the jazz festival's namesake, Lionel Hampton, put the spotlight
squarely on UI's top student performers.
They performed as soloists and as members of various groups, including UI's Jazz Choir I and Jazz Band I.
For soprano Krista Brand, who with pianist Michael Schwartz performed "Adonai Ro'i Lo Echsar,"
(Hebrew for "The Song of David") the evening was especially poignant.
Like a number of other artists that night, Brand was performing for an audience that included members of her family.
To see the performance, her grandparents Lorraine and Gordon Rothenbuhler had driven seven hours from Sedro-Woolley
in western Washington, along with brother, Jesse Ferris of Bellingham, Wash., and uncle, Gary Rothenbuhler of La Conner,
Wash. Mom, Mary Brand, drove nearly 10 hours from Lewistown, Mont., to catch her daughter's performance.
"Oh, I loved it, I loved it," Mary Brand said during intermission, after watching Krista sing.
Like fans in the professional music world, the sophomore singer's family took pains to make her feel appreciated.
"She got a dozen roses - we all sent it to her during intermission," Mary Brand said.
Krista Brand, nursing a sore throat, performed without so much as a cough.
Brand was happy to have her family in attendance, but said it does feel unusual.
"It's a little scarier, actually," said the student, a double major in education and vocal performance who hopes to be an
opera singer some day. "But I really enjoy having my family come."
Pianist Tara Swanson, who performed Franz Liszt's "Mephisto Waltz No. 1" and had to come back on stage for a second
round of applause, acknowledged the nerves involved in live music.
"A little bit of nervousness is good - it gives you that edge," Swanson said.
"I always get a little nervous," she said, but added she prays before each performance, which helps.
Swanson, a fan of Liszt's work, said she had been working on "Mephisto Waltz" on and off for the better part of two years.
"Some people accuse him of being a little too showy," Swanson said, but added that while Liszt's personal life was
flamboyant, she didn't think the Romantic composer's work was.
A junior working on a performance degree in piano, Swanson said she was considering furthering her education with
conservatory training. She added she wants to see "what God has planned for me."
One composition that seemed to fit well within the church-like confines of the UI Auditorium was the UI Jazz Choir
I's performance of "Missa De Montunos."
Composed by UI music professor Dan Bukvich, the piece was a sweeping combination of Caribbean, Brazilian and African
rhythms and instruments, arranged as seven movements within the structure of a Catholic Mass.
With accompanying rainsticks, bongo drums and other percussion instruments, the performance felt exuberant as a sunbreak
over the Amazon and with a full complement of brass, as bold as habanero salsa.
"We're still working on it," Bukvich said of the piece, which has been commissioned by an anonymous donor and will see its
premier as a completed piece in the next few years.
Bukvich described his work as a musical experiment.
"It's like a big laboratory," he said of the stage, and referring to his performers, he noted, "and I have 190 lab assistants."
A variety of other performers also drew applause and cheers.
They included a bassoon ensemble playing a polka-inspired piece entitled "The Entrance and Polka of the Bassoon Players";
the UI Jazz Band I performing several selections, including Hampton's own "Hamp's Boogie"; vibraphone players Brian Smith
and Kevin Kovalchik's rendition of "Five Moods for Two Vibraphones"; Smith Bill Denton performing a percussion-instrument
piece and performances by pianists Lydia Welhan and Michael Schwartz and tenor Isaac Robins.
 

Wednesday, February 23, 2005. (scheduled to appear).
4:00pm
Potlatch Outstanding Young Artists Concert
Outstanding Elementary, Jr. High and Middle School ensembles from the day’s adjudicated performances.

7:00pm
PRE-SHOW
CHRISTIAN FABIEN, bass; KUNI MIKAMI, piano; WALLY GATOR WATSON, drums; JOHN STOWELLl, guitar.

8:00pm
PEPSI INTERNATIONAL JAZZ CONCERT

FREDDY COLE, vocals.  MONTY ALEXANDER, piano. BENNY GREEN, piano. RUSSELL MALONE, guitar.
JEFF HAMILTON, drums. JOHN CLAYTON, bass. RANDY BRECKER, trumpet. CLAUDIO RODITI, trumpet.
TERRELL STAFFORD, trumpet JAY ASHBY, trombone. FOUR FRESHMEN, vocals.
LEMBIT SAARSALU, saxophone. LEONID VINTSKEVICH, piano. ENVER IZMAILOV, guitar. ELDAR DJANGIROV, piano.

Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Student Competition Winners for Feb. 23 -

--
Jazz vocalist Freddy Cole presented a tribute to his brother, Nat "King" Cole,
A trumpet blow-out at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. Left to right, Randy Brecker, Bob McCurdy, Chuck Findlay,
Terell Stafford and Claudio Roditi.

It wasn't just eager young musicians who came to a workshop Wednesday led by jazz greats Freddy Cole and Monty Alexander.
The audience at Moscow's Nuart Theatre actually had more middle-aged fans than young ones. Regardless of their ages,
the people in the audience listened intently as Cole and Alexander took them on a journey of personal history and music.
The two musicians were in town for the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. On tap for the Pepsi International Jazz Concert
Wednesday night, they spent part of their afternoon at the Nuart, sharing their craft with fans.
"Hopefully, we'll meet with your approval," Cole growled warmly, before launching into a silky-smooth Count Basie song,
accompanied by Alexander on the ivories.
The afternoon session included works by the late jazz legend Nat King Cole, who is Freddy's older brother.
Freddy Cole said music was an activity nearly everyone in his boyhood Chicago home did.
"I started fooling around with this thing called the piano when I was 5 years old," Cole said, adding his mother was a choir director.

The evening began with a set from the house band, including guitarist Russell Malone, drummer Jeff Hamilton and pianist
Benny Green.
Local star Ben Walden Walden, who won two solo competitions on Wednesday, said it's not often budding talent gets to jam
with the likes of Malone and company. Walden and friend Travis Hasko-Young of Moscow took second place last week in a
music competition on National Public Radio's "Prairie Home Companion."
-Ben Walden
"I think it's wonderful, these world-class musicians come out here for this festival," he said. "It's an unlikely event.
You don't think all these performers are going to come here to Moscow, Idaho, in the middle of nowhere."
Walden delighted the audience Wednesday night with a harmonica solo he composed with his father.
The pint-sized musician modestly accepted praise from a crowd of spectators back stage.
Even jazz festival Director Lynn Skinner took a moment to hug the young man.
"I'm not used to playing with musicians this good," Walden said. "My dad and I composed the song, and they picked it up like
it was nothing. It's amazing." Bob Ferreira, drummer and senior member of the Grammy-nominated The Four Freshmen,
said working with young talent is one of the rewards of participating in the jazz festival.
"It's an honor to be here. It's also great to sit around with all the students and see that spark in their eye," he said.
"It's great to see that ambition, that hunger for knowledge."
Hendrickson said she knows all about ambition. She took the initiative to perfect her talent.
"I always liked singing, so I joined a choir," she said. "Last year I came to the jazz festival with a choir.
This year I was a soloist, and I won. I don't really know what to think."
Young soloist Kyle Gemberling, who has performed at the jazz festival several times, said one never gets used to winning.
"It's always a shock," the 14-year-old tenor said.
Gemberling said it's almost daunting to be thrown in the mix with performers like Monty Alexander, Freddy Cole and Randy Brecker.
"It's pretty interesting to see something like this come around here," he said. "It's kind of hard to describe what it's like performing
at the festival."

The Four Freshmen play Wednesday at the University of Idaho Kibbie Dome during the 38th Annual
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.  From left are Bob Ferreira, Vince Johnson, Brian Eichenberger and Curtis Caldero.

Listen to The Four Freshmen. Dutch Concert 2003 April 22. Play  First 60 min.
Part 2. Dutch Jazz Giants plays Jazz Legends. Incl. 3 x Benny Goodman/Lionel Hampton. Great Concert.
Listen to Monty Alexander, John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton. Dutch 1975 Concert.Play- The Concert start on min. 18.
Listen to Monty Alexander, Ray Brown and Herb Ellis. Dutch 1988 Concert. Play-

Thursday, February 24, 2005.
7:00pm
PRE-SHOW: LEMBIT SAARSALU, saxophone. LEONID VINTSKEVICH, piano.

7:30pm
Horizon Air Special Guest Concert
JOHN PIZZARELLI, guitar and vocals, BUCKY PIZZARELLI, guitar. BENNY GREEN, piano. RUSSELL MALONE, guitar.
JEFF HAMILTON, drums. JOHN CLAYTON, bass. ROBERTA GAMBARINI, vocals. TAMIR HENDELMAN, piano.
KEN PEPLOWSKI, saxophone and clarinet. HOUSTON PERSON, saxophone. EVELYN WHITE, vocals.
COREY CHRISTIANSEN, guitar.
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Student Competition Winners for Febr. 24. -

Whitworth Student-Musicians Swing with the Best at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. Click-Click
Winners: Festival judges also honored senior Eric Gruber with a first-place award in the bass solo division, and senior
Mike Jones took first place in the trumpet solo division. Senior Bryan Swenland was named best jazz band drummer.

Bassist John Clayton.

----
A line up of five guitarists -- John Stowell, Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli, Corey Christiansen and Russell Malone
at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Thursday night concert.
Jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli gets a laugh out of his son, John Pizzarelli, during the Horizon Air Special Guest Concert at the
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in the Kibbie Dome on Thursday.
Listen to Bucky and John Pizzarelli. (Not festival music)   Click-

Guitars grab spotlight in the Dome.
The chills started at the base of the spine and oozed inward with each successive note that bent the air.
So went a ferocious guitar performance by five jazz masters at Thursday's Horizon Air Special Guest Concert.
The concert, part of the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, took place before a large crowd at the University of Idaho's Kibbie
Dome. Playing to that crowd for all they were worth were five of the industry's top guitarists: the father-son team of Bucky and
John Pizzarelli, along with John Stowell, Corey Christiansen and Russell Malone.
They ripped through a performance of "Seven Come Eleven" as easily as a knife through butter, with John Pizzarelli scatting
so smoothly that his voice and guitar seemed to become one instrument.
Playing as a group for the first time, the musicians looked like they were getting as big a kick out of the set as their audience
was. When they were done, the audience repaid them in kind with an eruption of cheers and applause.
Then it was John and Bucky Pizzarelli's turn to show the audience their luster as a duo. In a ballad-like refrain of
"Paper Moon," John Pizzarelli teasingly wiggled the neck of his dad's guitar as they played.
"That's Bucky Pizzarelli - I'm related to him," a beaming John told the crowd afterward.
Their final performance - an explosive version of "Honeysuckle Rose" - drew a standing ovation from the audience.
Guitars were just part of the equation at the Horizon Air Special Guest Concert. Continuing with the vision of the late festival
namesake Hampton, the event drew an all-star lineup of performers versed in everything from vocals to drums and upright bass.
They included vocalists Evelyn White and Roberta Gambarini, Ken Peplowski on the saxophone and clarinet, Houston Person
on the sax, John Clayton on upright bass, drummer Jeff Hamilton and pianists Benny Green and Tamir Hendelman.
The night also showcased performances by the day's outstanding college student soloists, with an all-star backup band that
included Wally "Gator" Watson on drums.
The audience was primed for a night of high-caliber jazz, awarding each performance with cheers and claps and the
occasional standing ovation.
Peplowski drew considerable laughs for his explanation of what a clarinet was - "an instrument made by five people who never
met as well as collective breath-holding with finger-blurring performances on the instrument.
White was a study in focus, jamming with a backup band of Clayton,Hamilton, Malone and Green through smoky renditions of
"But Not For Me," and "I Fall in Love Too Easily."
She sat calmly in a pool of blue light, eyes closed as she sang, while photographers moved frenetically in the margins of
darkness  around her, aiming for the best shot.
One group of performers didn't have as much experience with that level of focus, but didn't seem overly fazed by the size of the
venue. They were the college-age singers who'd been selected as the winners during a series of judged performances earlier in
the day.
Zach Trandum was one of those performers. Wearing a tomato-red suit, the winning bass soloist from Bellevue Community
College said he relished the chance to perform that night.
"Oh, man, it was fun - it was absolutely phenomenal," the freshman student said. "My main thing was just to come back and
have fun."  Trandum spoke from experience, having won as the top bass singer at last year's festival, when he was a senior at
Snohomish High School.
The night had some moments of unexpected levity as well. Gambarini drew some chuckles by coming onstage and then
announcing in apparent surprise that she had forgotten to bring the written music for her backup band.
"That's OK," drummer Hamilton told her. "We don't read well anyway."
The lack of paperwork didn't seem to affect the performance, with Gambarini's spirited scatting through a rollicking set of songs
the band knew by heart.

-----
Saxophonists Houston Person and Ken Peplowski.
Russian jazz musicians Yevgeniy Lebedev, left to right, Andrey Dudchenko and Aleksandr Zinger perform during a workshop
at the First United Methodist Church in Moscow.
Listen to Houston Person, tenorsax. Etta Jones, vocal. Franky Jones, dr. Sonny Philips, orgel. Dutch Concert.1980, february 14

WSU Brings Home Lionel Hampton Awards:
PULLMAN, Wash. -- Washington State University received the lion's share of awards on “College Day” (Feb. 24) at the 2005
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival held at the University of Idaho.
The outstanding college instrumental soloist award winners include Matt Reid on trumpet, David Snider, bass,
and Kristen DuChateau, piano. Snider was also selected the winner of the instrumental creative composition competition.
Additionally, the WSU Jazz Big Band, under the direction of Greg Yasinitsky, was selected the runner-up in the
guest college band division. WSU received more awards than any other college or university participating on College Day.
The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival is one of the largest events of its kind in the world, attracting more than 10,000 students
from around the world.
"It is gratifying to see our outstanding students recognized at this important event,” said WSU coordinator of jazz studies Yasinitsky.

Friday, February 25, 2005.
4:45pm
Outstanding Young Vocal Artists Concert
Outstanding vocal ensembles from the day’s adjudicated performances

7:30PM
PRE-SHOW: JIM MARTINEZ, piano.

8:00pm
Zions Bank All Star Concert
JANE MONHEIT, vocals. DEE DANIELS, vocals. BENNY GREEN, piano. RUSSELL MALONE, guitar.
JEFF HAMILTON, drums. JOHN CLAYTON, bass. IGOR BUTMAN, saxophone/
BILL WATROUS, trombone. JAY DAVERSA, trumpet. HOLLY HOFFMAN, flute.
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Student Competition Winners for Febr. 25

Listen to: Jeff Hamilton, drums. Larry Fuller, piano. Lynn Seaton, bass.  Dutch Concert,1996, October 10 -

------
Jazz vocalist Dee Daniels sings "Makin' Whoopie" during Friday's concert at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow.
Simply Dee-lightful; Daniels wows crowd as festival nears crescendo.
Dressed in a red suit with spiked hair, Dee Daniels was a sight to behold. It was her voice, however, that ultimately
captured her audience. The singer performed with a list of other jazz greats Friday night at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.
The evening's "All-Star Concert" combined Daniels with musicians such as pianist Benny Green, Russell Malone on guitar,
Jeff Hamilton on drums, and bass player John Clayton.
The Kibbie Dome echoed with laughs and applause as Daniels teased the crowd with a sultry rendition of "Makin' Whoopie."
She then transitioned into a solemn but vibrant version of the Simon and Garfunkel classic "Bridge Over Troubled Water."
"I just do what I do," Daniels said between performances.
Russell Malone, who played guitar for the all-star group, said he's played with most of the group at events in the past,
but it's always good too see fellow jazz musicians again.
"My favorite part of performing is getting to play with great musicians," Malone said, adding that he enjoys
"the applause for the appreciative crowd."
One musician was noticeably absent from the Friday performance. Lou Rawls, a highlighted performer scheduled for the
evening, canceled his trip to Moscow earlier in the week when he came down with the flu.
Bryan Kopp, 17, from Bellevue High School in Washington, was disappointed to hear about Rawls' absence. Kopp,
a self-proclaimed jazz fan, said listening to jazz is "just about all I do."
"There's nothing like a live performance," Kopp said. "Records are good, but with live, there's like a vibe you get."
Kopp said he hasn't attended the festival for three years and is glad to be back. His last visit to the festival marked one
of the last performances of the great Lionel Hampton, which Kopp said was a priceless concert. He expected Friday's
show to be equally satisfying.
"A lot of these people are so popular it's hard to get tickets to their concerts so this is a chance to see them," Kopp said.
Jeremy World, 14, from British Columbia, Canada, said he relishes the opportunity to watch the performers. World,
who plays in his school's jazz band, said he hopes to pick up some pointers from the professionals.
"I watch the drummer and pick up different beats they're performing," World said, which he hopes to incorporate into his
own music. Daniels' animated performance style played well with the audience. While singing "Making Whoopie,"
she batted her eyelashes and drew reactions from the audience with some of the song's lyrics.
She also shared a serious moment, dedicating the song to the memory of Ray Charles, who died last year.

---
Three jazz singers: Dee Daniels, Roberta Gambarini and Evelyn White.
Outstanding high school bass soloist George Carson from Moscow High School at Moscow, Idaho.
-Dee with Lionel Hampton. 2002 Festival.

You like this website ? Written in the-THE GUESTBOOK

The Charleston

Matt Parks and Anna Black, from the Swing Devils, teach a workshop on the classic Charleston
at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow on Friday.
Jazz clinic puts dancers through paces.
For as long as people have been playing jazz, there have been other people dancing to the music.
At a workshop Friday during the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, that other facet of the music got its due.
About 50 people showed up in their stocking feet at the University of Idaho's Physical Education Building to learn
the Charleston and other forms of dance related to jazz.
Led by two instructors from a local dance club, they spent a sweaty hour gyrating their arms and legs to the Big Band
strains of Louis Armstrong.
"All right, here we go - five, six, seven, eight - step and turn," instructor Matt Parks commanded, as his charges wobbled
unsteadily in front of a full-length mirror, gamely trying to do the steps and keep time with the music.
The crowd consisted of mostly high school and college students, but here and there an older adult could be seen swinging
his limbs and keeping the pace.
"OK, now we're going to do some knee-slap styling," Parks said, bringing his palms down to meet his high-lifting knees,
as his students stood and watched with hands on hips, some gasping for breath.
Anna Black, who with Parks is a member of Moscow's Swing Devils dance club, demonstrated the movements with a
supple smoothness borne from hours of practice.
At the workshop, the goal for participants was simply to get through a complete set of about 11 dance moves.
They included "the helicopter" (sticking the lower leg out backward and gyrating it around without falling over), "the scarecrow"
(a birdlike move requiring dancers to flap their bent arms up and down while bringing their knees inward - a movement that
generated the term "flapper"), and a fluttering move with the hands that looked as if the dancers were dusting off their arms
and feet. Parks said that last move was exactly about cleaning one's clothes. It originated, he said, from the African slaves
joking about the way the whites would tidy themselves up.
"They would make fun of the way their owners moved, dusting off their shoes and sleeves," he said.
"It was an interesting way to let emotions out - and to make fun of those jerks (the slave owners)."
The Charleston is all about the South. According to the Web site StreetSwing.com, parts of the dance form may have originated
with the Ashanti people of Africa, but it developed into an American dance form in the Charleston, S.C., area in the early 1900s.
In the 1920s, the dance came into its heyday in New York, thanks to the "Zeigfeld Follies," and from there continued to gain
prominence at dance clubs, first American and then international.
Black said the Charleston, and dances like it, co-evolved with jazz and its Big Band cousin, swing. In fact, she noted,
bands that played the music were on notice they had to make it danceable.
"Seriously, if the band didn't play music people could dance to, they wouldn't get hired," she said.
Black said the practice of sitting and listening to jazz is actually a departure from the music's origins.
It wasn't until about the late '40s or early '50s, he said, that jazz began evolving into more of a concert form of music.
At Friday's workshop, participants seemed to enjoy getting in touch with those earlier aspects of jazz and swing.
"I've seen people dance in the old movies," said Amanda Bates, 16, a Moses Lake, Wash., resident in town for the jazz festival.
"It seems like it makes listening to jazz more fun."
For Seattle resident Frank Montgomery, 67, the workshop was one of several dance classes he's taken over the years,
to the strains of jazz.  "Oh, yeah, my wife and I have taken swing and Lindy (Hop) lessons," he said. "I'm a better dancer in my
heart, but I love the feeling."

Saturday, February 26, 2005.
4:45pm
Conn- Selmer Outstanding Young Instrumental Artists Concert
Outstanding instrumental ensembles from the day’s adjudicated performances

7:30pm
EVENING OPENER:  Lionel Hampton School of Music Trombone Factory.

8:00pm
AVISTA Giants of Jazz Concert
LIONEL HAMPTON NEW YORK BIG BAND.
ROY HARGROVE QUINTET.
BENNY GREEN, piano. RUSSELL MALONE, guitar. JEFF HAMILTON, drums. JOHN CLAYTON, bass.
JAMES MORRISON, trumpet and trombone. LOARRIANE FEATHER, vocals. SHELLY BERG, piano.

Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Student Competition Winners for Febr. 26

South City Jazz Takes Home First Place at Festival.  Newspaper

Superb' an apt description of S-W High senior as a musician.

Name: Carlos "Rafie" Rodriguez, 17, is a senior at Sedro-Woolley High School.
Arts role: Musician, focusing on the bassoon. He also plays bass guitar and trombone.
Recent accomplishments: Rodriguez, who's taken private bassoon lessons for about four years, is a member of the Fidalgo Youth
Symphony, Skagit Symphony and Whatcom Symphony, and plays in the high school jazz, pep, marching and symphonic bands.
Rodriguez has collected several honors and performed several times over the last few months.
In December 2004, he received the Michael Kamen Solo Award of a bassoon from The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation.
In January, Rodriguez performed in a San Juan Music Educators Association competition. He played the bassoon and was
accompanied by two flutists. The trio won the small woodwind ensemble category, qualifying for the state competition
April 29 at Central Washington University in Ellensburg.
On Feb. 18, Rodriguez auditioned before a Western Washington University music professor, hoping to be accepted into the school's
music department. He said the university is in a great location with a good music program and many friendly people.
On Saturday, Rodriguez played the bass guitar with the high school jazz band at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival
at the University of Idaho in Moscow.

Giants' close show at jazz festival

Roy Hargrove performs Saturday during the Avista Giants of Jazz concert  at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in the Kibbie Dome.
Hargrove was introduced
as the greatest living jazz trumpeter by festival Executive Director Lynn Skinner.

From the North See Jazz Festival The Netherlands: 16 min. Video. Roy Hargrove -

Roy Hargrove picked up his trumpet Saturday and a sense of expectancy ran like an electric current through the crowd.
When he started to play, the soft notes swelled nearly as much as the collective sigh emanating from his audience.
Hargrove, one of the world's top trumpet players, performed with a star-spangled cast of jazz masters in the Kibbie Dome
Saturday at the University of Idaho's Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.
They played in the four-day festival's final event, the Avista Giants of Jazz Concert.
Hargrove and his fellow musicians brought the crowd of nearly 6,000 to its feet for standing ovations multiple times as they
paid their respects to the art of jazz and the performers who influenced its sound.
One of the performers getting a share of that respect was festival namesake Hampton,a world-class vibraphonist who died in 2002.
In one of the evening's poignant moments, Hampton's own group, The Lionel Hampton New York Big Band, played a special
song in the band leader's memory.
Titled "I Will Miss You," the piece was written by Hampton's friend Lynn "Doc" Skinner, who is executive director of the  festival.
While spotlights glowed on a bronze statue of Hampton onstage, Skinner raised the baton and led his friend's band through a
reverent performance of the piece. Accompanying them on the trombone was Australian performer James Morrison, whose deep
notes punctuated the composition's sense of longing.
After the concert, Skinner said the performance was one of the highlights of the festival for him.
"The band, when they played the tune I'd written, it was powerful," he said.
The evening wasn't all about sad songs. "Hamp's" band hit some high notes with energetic renditions of "Hip Shake" and
"Hamp's Boogie," in addition to several other selections.
At one point, Hargrove, who had been standing backstage, was so moved by the band's energy he got back onstage and began
playing along.
"This kid is the finest trumpet player in the world," Skinner said after the concert, noting Hargrove had come up to him and
actually asked permission to get back out and start jamming with the band.
"I said, 'you go get your horn, kid,' " the festival director recalled.
In his first outing to the festival, Morrison of Sydney, Australia, drew major applause with sizzling performances on the trumpet
and trombone.  Outfitted entirely in black, Morrison was a picture, with a glittering brass instrument in each hand at one point,
playing one-man trumpet-trombone duet.
He coaxed a litany of sounds out of his instruments, from dolphin-like squeals on the trumpet to throaty scatting on the
trombone that sounded like Ella Fitzgerald.
Vocalist Lorraine Feather scored points with her renditions of "Antarctica" and "Café Society."
Before launching into the latter song, she explained the "Café Society" was the name of a jazz club that had been part of her
parents' lives (and which, incidentally, she'd been born over, in an apartment on the floor above).
"It sounds really corny, but we're really keeping the spirit of the Café Society alive," Feather said, referring to the celebration of
jazz at events like the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.
Not all who came onstage Saturday were jazz giants - yet.
Moscow's Ben Walden, 13, drew a standing ovation for his performance of "Autumn Leaves."
Accompanying him was the festival house band, comprising Russell Malone on guitar, John Clayton on bass, Benny Green on
piano and Jeff Hamilton on drums.  Speaking Sunday, Walden said he wasn't completely satisfied with his performance.
"I don't know - I thought I messed up a lot, but it seemed like a lot of people liked it, so that's what matters," he said, noting he
felt his harmonica, a Hohner chromatic, was "sort of gunked out" during the performance.
On stage for the second time at the festival (he also performed as a top young artist at Wednesday's concert), Walden said he
did have a mild case of nerves - especially after Skinner told him he was second in the evening's lineup.
"I'm like, 'whoa, that's scary,' " said Walden, a seventh-grader at Moscow Junior High School.
Once he launched into his music, the musician noted he was "a lot less nervous."
He also said he wouldn't turn down another invite to play at the festival.
"I think it's a great opportunity," he said.
For another young jazz artist, Saturday's concert was a memory not soon to be forgotten.
Colin Spiers, a French horn player from Lake City High School in Coeur d'Alene, was one of the day's top student performers.
Wearing a fedora, the senior was circled by his friends backstage, waiting his turn to go up and perform. It was the first time in
five years of coming to the festival that Spiers would be getting his moment in the spotlight.
"What's to be nervous about? I'm already here," Spiers said excitedly.
His visit to UI probably won't be his last. Spiers said he applied to UI's music program and had auditioned with the trumpet,
in addition to his French horn.  For another more seasoned performer, the visit to UI won't be his last, either.
Drummer Wally "Gator" Watson, who performed with the Lionel Hampton Big Band that night in addition to other concerts and
workshops last week, said he'd been to the last 14 of 15 festivals.
"I like the kids, and I'm keeping Lionel (Hampton's) legacy alive," he said of bringing jazz to the next generation.

Marshal McDonald for The Lionel Hampton New York Big Band. Left: Drummer Wally "Gator" Watson.

The closing set by the raucous Lionel Hampton New York Big Band offered a particularly touching moment, courtesy of
Dr. Lynn J. Skinner, the festival's avuncular executive director. With Morrison playing lead trombone, Skinner conducted
a ballad he'd written and arranged in honor of the many late, great musicians who have passed through the Kibbie Dome,
including Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Brown and Lionel Hampton.  Complete Article -

Virtual Tour Kibbie Dome:  Click-Click

Lloyd Kinkade,
Western Regional Sales Manager for Meyer Sound, pictured here with Dr. Lynn Skinner,
Founder of the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.
It's really an honor to participate in such a prestigious event. The clinics are a significant part of the Festival,
and the progressive nature of the event is reinforced by their recognition of the need for high quality sound."

Drummer Wally "Gator' Watson at home with Lionel Hampton. 2002.

Lionel Hampton Homepage

AUDIO FOR JAZZ LESSON PLAN The Lionel Hampton School of Music.
For instructors who will be demonstrating jazz terminology in the classroom.,
"LISTEN"  A discussion of basic musical terminology as applied in the jazz world. Play-

"NAME THAT TERM"   Cajun Style Blues
Composed by Dr. Lynn Skinner. Play this for your students and ask them to name the various musical components used.  Play -

Lionel Hampton in Memoriam: 2002, August 31.  Click-

2004, March 1: Today, I find one 2001 festivalvideo: Students from the Washington Schools.
6 min. realplayer:  260Kbs-- 56 Kbs -With Wally "Gator" Watson.
This year music students from 80 Western Washington schools are participating in the festival which begins
Wednesday, February 20. They'll have an opportunity to meet 93-year-old jazz legend Lionel Hampton in person,
who will be there to welcome the students and musicians. Producer Glenn Dreyfuss gives us a glimpse of what
this hot jazz festival is all about. Hans Bebop.

THE LIONEL HAMPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL 2004.  MOSCOW-IDAHO.
February 17: Febr.26 The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. Roy Hargrove  Click-
February 14: They wanted to go back. South Kamloops Secondary jazz band teacher Don Bennett remembers
coming back from the 2003 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho. Click -
For the Festival Days: Lionel Hampton nonstop.  Part 1,  20 songs - Part 2,  20 songs -

Realplayer Video's: Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.
1987: Music is my Salvation -
1989: The Lionel Hampton School of Music Dedication -
1992: In perfomance with the University of Idaho Jazz Choir
1994: Hamp's introduction at The Lionel Hampton Festival
1994: A teaching session at the University of Idaho with student  De Waylon McCoy-
1999: Taking jazz to the Schools -
1995: Promovideo: Hamp, The Festival , The Collection and the Center-
2002: The Funeral videoclips, September 7

Lionel Hampton, age 93, play his last "Flying Home" in Moscow, Idaho. 2002.  Video:  2002, February 23

Workshops: Schedule- Ticket Information: Click-Firtual Tour: 4 is the Concert Hall  Click

Concert Information:
Tuesday, February 24.  "Hamp's Gala" Concert,  Features UI Student Groups and Soloists.
The Jazz festival week begins at the University of Idaho with the annual Hamp’s Gala concert presented
by the Lionel Hampton School of Music. The concert is Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the University Auditorium.
Tickets are available at the door: $5 for adults, $3 for students and senior citizens, and preschoolers are free.
This year, the concert will feature Jazz Choir I and Jazz Band I along with other outstanding student musicians
and groups. Scheduled to perform are the 30-member percussion ensemble, Katie Whittier, flute.
Charolette Moore, voice. Lydia Welhan, piano and a saxophone quartet.
The saxophone group includes three Lionel Hampton Scholars:  Mike Lynch, Alex Carr and TJ Eriksen.

LIONEL HAMPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL STUDENT COMPETITION WINNERS:- Photos

--
Left: Director Joe Covill, right, leads the Lincoln Middle School jazz band in the basement of the Administration
Building before the groups went upstairs to perform at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow this
morning. To the left of Covill is Greg Yasinitsky, who composed several of the tunes the band played.
Right: The University of Idaho Jazz Choir I performs at Hamp's Gala Tuesday at the University Auditorium in Moscow.

Students take center stage; Hamp's Gala marks start to UI jazz festival:
The 2004 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival should be a roaring success if Tuesday night's Hamp's Gala was any
indication. The concert at the University Auditorium are designed to showcase the musical talents of students
at the University of Idaho Lionel Hampton School of Music. Through the years, it became a tradition enjoyed
by hundreds of people, with no one enjoying the outpouring of music more than the school's namesake.
Click for the complete story - Newspaper-

Wednesday, February 25.   What a wonderful world -(Realpl.).
OPENER: CHRISTIAN FABIAN bass, CLEAVE GUYTON alto saxophone, KUNI MIKAMI piano,
JOHN STOWELL guitar, WALLY GATOR WATSON drums. (From The Lionel Hampton Big Band).
Featuring a special tribute to trombonist Slide Hampton.
SLIDE HAMPTON trombone, PAQUITO D’RIVERA clarinet & saxophone CLAUDIO RODITI trumpet.
BILL WATROUS trombone, JEFF HAMILTON drums, JOHN CLAYTON bass, BENNY GREEN piano,
RUSSELL MALONE guitar; LORRAINE FEATHER vocals & SHELLY BERG piano,
ENVER IZMAILOV tap guitar; ELDAR DJANGIROV piano.
FREDDY COLE QUARTET (Freddy Cole vocals, Curtis Boyd bass, Gerry Byrd guitar ,Zackery Pride drums).

LIONEL HAMPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL STUDENT COMPETITION WINNERS FOR- February 25+ Photos, 25-28.

2004 Festival Winners: Benjamin Walden,
12-year-old Harmonica Player from MacDonald Elementary, Moscow, Idaho.
Cristian Fabian, bass and Wally "Gator" Watson, drums. (Hampton's New York Big Band).

The UI Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival paid tribute to trombone jazz great Slide Hampton during Wednesday's concert
at the Kibbie Dome. Listen to Slide Hampton and Al Grey 1995 -57 min. Realpl.
It's an annual thing.
Each year the big names take the Kibbie Dome stage at the University of Idaho Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.
They do their business, draw the crowd to their feet, take their bows and head backstage ... where they watch
some 12-year-old kid steal the show. Wednesday that kid was Moscow's Ben Walden, who seemed to use the
career tribute to trombone great Slide Hampton as his warm-up act.
Roughly 15 minutes after the powerhouse Hampton tribute produced the first standing ovation of the festival,
Walden and his harmonicas earned a second.  The Complete Story -

Freddy Cole performs a love song with his quartet during a jazz clinic at the Lionel Hampton School of Music in
Moscow on Wednesday.
Quartet entertains, inspires Wednesday at Recital Hall:
Cole, who has appeared six times in the 37-year history of the festival, played seven songs with his quartet in a
clinic for students at the UI Lionel Hampton School of Music Recital Hall.  Click for the complete story -

-----Enver Izmailov
John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton.  SARAH QUINT / ARGONAUT.
Drummer Jeff Hamilton sets the beat during the Pepsi International Jazz Concert on Wednesday in the Kibbie Dome.
Hampton appeared shortly before intermission to perform four songs with Bill Watrous, Claudio Roditi and
Paquito D’Rivera. The tribute included an up-tempo version of “So What” and an arrangement of “How High the
Moon” that bridged into the melody from “Ornithology.” Hampton achieves a full, warm tone on the trombone,
and it was accentuated by D’Rivera’s impossibly impressive clarinet chops and Roditi’s equally imposing trumpet.
The first performer, Enver Izmailov, marked his inaugural trip to America with a few solo guitar pieces.
People were still filtering in to the Kibbie Dome as he played, giving the performance an informal feel, but the
audience members who had already found their seats looked on in wonder. Izmailov’s style of finger-tapping
amazed the audience and received emphatic applause at the finish.
Hoots and hollers welcomed the house rhythm section consisting of Benny Green, Russell Malone, John Clayton
and Jeff Hamilton, all of whom are mainstays at the festival. The band played two numbers that gave the audience
a taste of the individual members’ musical abilities. Green’s piano solo on “Just Friends” contained bebop runs
through the full range of the instrument. Malone’s guitar wielded carefully crafted solos that kept musical phrasing
at the forefront. Green and Malone have such an understanding of each other’s musical direction that when Green
suggested a musical idea, Malone scooped it right up.
Eldar Djangirov, a 17-year-old piano player, excited the audience with his virtuosity. He has an incredibly light
touch and is comfortable playing in any register of the piano. His interpretations of standards are interesting
and work as a vehicle to show off his technique.
Djangirov has an amazing technical ability, but that is all his playing contains. His long introductions seemed out
of place, and he paid no attention to phrasing or dynamics. His extended technical wanderings almost erased any
semblance of a melody and left his rhythm section guessing as to where he would turn next. Djangirov rarely
glanced at the other musicians during his performance, signaling that he might be more comfortable as a solo artist.
The highlight of the night was a performance by one of the middle school winners. Beaming with confidence,
Moscow Junior High student Benjamin Walden impressed the audience with his abilities on the harmonica.
A few bars into the piece, the audience realized that this was not a novelty act and that this kid may soon be a
highlighted performer in the evening concerts. He garnered a standing ovation for his performance
of “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”
The Freddy Cole Quartet closed the concert with a performance that lasted the entire second half. Cole has a deep,
gravelly voice that is complimented by his tight rhythm section. A frequent participant in the festival, the quartet
played many crowd pleasers, including a blues piece, “Home Fried Potatoes.” The band’s occasional solos were
secondary in a performance that was more about the soft lyricism of Cole and provided a quiet end to a swinging night.
 

Kathleen O'Hare has been singing and playing guitar for 20 years. Here she is accompanied by
Wally "Gator" Watson. on drums and Oscar Bamboli singing bass.

Thursday, February 26.
ROY HARGROVE QUINTET (Roy Hargrove trumpet, Dwayne Burno bass Willie Jones, III drums,
Ron Mathews piano, Justin Robinson saxophone); JOEY DEFRANCESCO organ & vocals;
HOUSTON PERSON saxophone; ETHEL ENNIS vocals; JEFF HAMILTON drums, JOHN CLAYTON bass,
BENNY GREEN piano RUSSELL MALONE guitar; BRIAN LYNCH trumpet; DAVID FRIESEN bass
& JERRY HAHN guitar; ROBERTA GAMBARINI vocals; GREG ABATE saxophone.

LIONEL HAMPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL STUDENT COMPETITION WINNERS FOR -  February 26 -

Roy Hargrove.
Hargrove Quintet sizzles; Group's drummer grabs his share of the limelight
A clean-cut guy in a sharp suit and well-shined shoes slipped from behind the backstage curtain to enjoy some
jazz Thursday night. He was alone.
Or, as alone as one can be at the Kibbie Dome with a couple thousand other people watching the show.
The solitude didn't last long.
It started with one student asking for an autograph. Then another. Soon, Willy Jones III had more than a dozen
students around him, clamoring for his signature ... during a concert.
If you don't recognize his name, you're probably not alone. But for the student musicians attending the
University of Idaho Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, Jones is royalty.
He's the drummer for the Roy Hargrove Quintet, and about an hour after signing his last autograph, he was on
stage setting the beat for the man considered the finest trumpet player of his generation.
Hargrove was Thursday's headliner and, as usual, came on well after most of the people in the audience might
have gone to bed on a "school night." But when Hargrove is due on stage, people tend to hang out to see what
exactly he might do this year. The Complete Story -

----
Left: Russell Malone, left, and John Clayton perform Thursday at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.
Claudio Roditi, right, plays during a clinic with Bill Watrous and Eldar Djangirob at the Kenworthy Performing
Arts Centre in Moscow on Thursday. Roditi shared with students his love of Brazilian music.

--The Idaho University Argenout.  Click for larger newspaper
 

Friday, February 27.
EVENING OPENER: JIM MARTINEZ piano
Zions Bank All Star Concert.
JANE MONHEIT (Jane Monheit vocals, Joel Frahm saxophone, Michael Kanan piano,
Rich Montalbano drums, Joe Martin bass); PETE CANDOLI trumpet; PETE CHRISTLIEB saxophone;
IGOR BUTMAN saxophone; DEE DANIELS vocals; JEFF HAMILTON drums, JOHN CLAYTON bass,
BENNY GREEN piano RUSSELL MALONE guitar; CAROL WELSMAN vocals; JANE JARVIS piano.

LIONEL HAMPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL STUDENT COMPETITION WINNERS FOR -  February 27-

--------Hamp and Dee, 1992 Festival.
Jazz vocalist Dee Daniels sings a rendition of "Mac the Knife" Friday on stage at the Kibbie Dome.
Igor Butman during a clinic at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre in Moscow on Friday.
Listen to Igor Butman: (Born in 1961 Leningrad) "Prophecy" 9min. 2003-"Nostalgie" (Essiet Okon, Vibes) 8 min.  1997-
"When the Saints Go Marshing In" 7 min.  1997- "Samba de Igor" 7 min.  1994-Igor's Big Band. 7 min.  2003-

Dee Daniels soars; Vocalist brings the good stuff Friday night.
It's become the natural question this time each year.
If Dee Daniels doesn't draw a standing ovation, has the University of Idaho Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival actually
taken place? Alas, the answer will have to wait for at least another year. In a night highlighted by female vocalists,
the festival went to its first lady for an opening salvo and, as usual, the Vancouver, B.C. singer brought the crowd
to its feet. Daniels even offered a lesson to the students on hand at the Kibbie Dome Friday.
"This song I'd like to dedicate to all the females," Daniels said while sitting at the piano.
"I know some of you are young, but I'd appreciate it if you'd lend your ears to an old woman who has been through
the mill on my favorite subject in the whole world.
"Men provide us with the material to talk about all our lives and those of our children and grandchildren."
A night after teaming with singer Roberta Gambarini and saxophonist Houston Person to deliver one of the festival's
early highlights with "Honeysuckle Rose," Daniels broke out the good stuff again Friday.
Daniels' bluesy delivery on "Dr. Feelgood" made the standing ovation that followed seem anticlimactic as the crowd
had started rising to its feet before she was even finished.
Daniels was helped along by the guitar solo of Russell Malone, who seemed to revel in the song's blues leanings.
"It's great to be here, especially when you have these guys up here with you," Daniels said.
She was speaking of the house quartet of Malone, drummer Jeff Hamilton, bassist John Clayton and pianist Benny
Green, who gave way to Daniels on piano. Hamilton laid down a blistering solo on the opening tune, drawing the
crowd's early appreciation and - as Daniels did for the singers - setting the bar for the rest of the night's instrumentalists.
Canadian singer Carol Welsman fought through a bit of a cold to open her three-song set with "Slow Boat to China."
It was Welsman's first festival appearance. The Jane Monheit Quartet was the night's headliner and was scheduled
to come on later Friday.
Teen piano player Eldar Djangirov played a quick tune and was typically impressive, burning through a soft turn of
"Straight, No Chaser."
Russian saxophone player Igor Butman did his part to keep the night's momentum going with an emotional version
of "Nostalgia." Attendance numbers were not available at press time, but the crowd was easily the biggest of the
festival. Jane Jarvis was scheduled to perform, but was not able to make it because of health reasons.

Saturday, February 28.
Always a special celebration of Lionel Hampton and his lifetime of jazz
EVENING OPENER: THE HAMPTON TROMBONE FACTORY
Lionel Hampton Giants of Jazz Concert
THE LIONEL HAMPTON NEW YORK BIG BAND
Tony Barrero trumpet, Adam Brenner alto saxophone, Lance Bryant tenor saxophone, Christian Fabian bass.
Dick Griffin  trombone, Cleave Guyton alto saxophone, Mark McGowan trumpet, Anibal Martinez trumpet,
Robert McCurdy trumpet, Kuni Mikami piano, David Schumacher baritone saxophone,Charles Stephens,
trombone. Robert Trowers trombone, Wally Gator Watson drums Gerald Weldon tenor saxophone
BYRON STRIPLING in a tribute to Louis Armstrong;
THE FOUR FRESHMEN vocals; JEFF HAMILTON drums, JOHN CLAYTON bass,BENNY GREEN piano,
RUSSELL MALONE guitar, EVELYN WHITE vocals.

LIONEL HAMPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL STUDENT COMPETITION WINNERS FOR-February 28 -+ photos.

The Four Freshmen stay true to roots.
--Listen 120 min. Netherlands Live Concert. 2003, April 22 -
The Four Freshmen and The Dutch Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw. (Realplayer).
The second hour: Dutch first vibes player Frits Landesbergen and Friends plays the music from Jazz Legends.
(Shavers, Parker, Goodman, Hampton,  Ella and Gillespie (By Deborah Carter and the presentator Joop van Zijl).

Yes, the band that's playing tonight at the Kibbie Dome is the same Four Freshmen who played the University of Idaho
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival back in 1983.  Only, they're not the same Four Freshmen who played the festival back in 1983.
That could be a confusing theory if you're not a fan of the group. Either way, here's the breakdown -
The Four Freshmen were first formed in 1948 in Indianapolis by original members Bob Flanigan, Hal Kratzsch, Don and Ross Barbour. T
he group formed when all were - youguessed it - freshmen at Butler University.
The group's popular apex occurred in the 1950s with songs like "It's a Blue World" and "Graduation Day." The group has never split, but has
seen 22 different lineups over the years.
Their 55 years "together" makes the Four Freshmen the longest standing vocal harmony group in American history and they were named
Down Beat magazine's jazz vocal group of the year in 2001. If that all sounds like quite a legacy to live up to, Bob Ferreira agrees.
"Our fan base and a lot of people who come to see the shows were brought up with the music," he said. "This is what they were listening to in
their teens or pre-teens." That means a decent portion of the Freshmen fan base is people in their 60s and 70s. But Ferreira and his bandmates are
good deal younger. He's 33 - and he's the old man of the group that also features Vince Johnson, also 33, Brian Eichenberger, 27,
and Curtis Calderon, 29. Ferreira said it's hard to peg the group's fan base, but that it gets younger with each show.
"All it takes is for us to play a certain club or an event like the (Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival)," Ferreira said. "The younger fans might not know
the tunes, but they see four younger guys on stage and they feel the energy and they respond to that."
If the students they meet at today's clinics don't know who The Four Freshmen are, that's fine with Ferreira. He can relate. He grew up in suburban
Seattle and didn't know much about the group until attending Edmonds Community College, where one of his professors was a former Freshman.
The group was in need of a new performer and that professor, Kirk Marcy, got Ferreira an audition. He got in and hasn't left and at 12 years with
the group he is the most senior of the Freshmen. Ferreira's first impression of the Freshmen was what he still enjoys most about the group.
He caught their act at a Canadian jazz festival and was impressed that they were a four-part harmony group, but still played their own instruments.
That's been the Four Freshmen way since the beginning, but it wasn't done in search of a niche.
"In those days it was just cheaper for bands to play their own instruments as opposed to hiring a backing band to tour with," Ferreira said.
To this day it makes the Freshmen unique. You'll see vocal groups and piano-playing singers, but singing instrumental groups are unusual.
"The funny thing is that we are more like the original band than ever before," Ferreira said. "We've been through all different combinations,
but now we are a guitar, bass, drums and trumpet."
That doesn't mean the Freshmen are an old-school group. Their sound is jazz, but it's more contemporary, owing to the fact that they have final
say on all arrangements, and are basically able to take classic tunes and freshen them up. The Four Freshmen name is still owned by Flanigan,
as are all the songs, but Ferreira said the current members are given total trust and feel free to do what they need to in order to keep the act lively.
They record new songs, too, but Ferreira said there's simply no reason to mess with a formula that has worked for more than 50 years.
"We want to continue to make new music and new albums and move ahead," Ferreira said. "But we'll always do the classics.
They are as good as they are for a reason. It's timeless music."

Cleave Guyton directs the Lionel Hampton New York Big Band as they close the 37th
annual University of Idaho Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Saturday at the Kibbie Dome.

Same good vibe; Tradition lives as festival closes with 'Wonderful World'

Four days of Kibbie Dome jazz concerts wrapped up Saturday night in much the same way they have
for years - with Lionel Hampton singing the final tune with his New York Big Band.
Two years after his death and a year after the festival officially celebrated his life, the 2004 University of Idaho
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival kept the spirit of its namesake. Student attendance was the largest in five years
and the final show Saturday was a rollicking, genre-mixing event that managed to keep a large portion of the
audience in their seats until well after 11 p.m.
Those who stuck around until the end - just before midnight - heard Hampton sing "Wonderful World" via digital
sound while his band played along softly. It was a touching conclusion to a week of shows that had been marked
with upbeat - sometimes comedic - performances. Festival director Lynn "Doc" Skinner wasn't as emotional as in 2003,
when he ran across the stage and embraced the ever-present statue of Hampton.
But he still provided the trademark introduction of "Hamp" as the "vibes president of the world."

Musically, Saturday's concert kept a tight pace, with performers taking the stage, doing their thing and moving
on before the New York Big Band came on for the finale. Tap guitarist Enver Izmailov opened the show and drew
a big ovation before The Four Freshmen - seen as the night's second headliner - played a six-song set.
The Freshmen were a different sort of act. While most performers take their time on stage - improvising back-and-forth
with other players - the Las Vegas-based band played classic songs and kept it quick and pleasing.
Skinner was, by his standards, subdued throughout the week, but he heaped plenty of praise on the house quartet of
pianist Benny Green, bassist John Clayton, drummer Jeff Hamilton and guitar player Russell Malone,
who played together all four nights.
"The reason this is called the giants of jazz concert is because you are about to witness four giants of jazz,"
Skinner said as he introduced the quartet.
As has become tradition at the Saturday night concert, Valerie Harris, a high school student from Montpelier, Idaho,
sang a tune with the quartet. After a rough start with "God Bless the Child," she finished strong.
One of the highlights of the night - and festival - was trumpet player Byron Stripling. The Broadway actor and Boston
Pops performer managed to pull two standing ovations from the crowd - one for each song - but he actually asked the
audience to have a seat after the first.
"I am afraid there has been a mistake made in the program," Stripling said. My name is Wynton Marsalisand it is great
to be here tonight."
That was after he brought the crowd to its feet with a bluesy tune about a bluesy theme -
his woman had done him wrong, supposedly with Clayton.
"John Clayton's been messing with my woman," Stripling said, before making a reference to the bass player's years in
Amsterdam, the Netherlands. "He's got her speaking Dutch on the side."
As always, the Big Band wrapped up the show with a strong eight-song set, including the finale which, coupled the late
Hampton's voice and a photo montage, brought a few people to tears.
Skinner took a moment late Saturday to thank the volunteers and those who came to take it all in.
"Thank you all for keeping this festival alive and going for Hamp," he said.

---------
Dr. Lynn Skinner, Festival Director            Doc Skinner and Lionel Hampton. February 1996

The New Lionel Hampton Center:
Lionel Hampton Center hits final design stage:  Click-38 min. Realpl. Video