The University of Idaho announced on April 30 that the 59th annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, held from April 22 to April 25, recognized top student ensembles and soloists from across the region.
The festival awarded Sweepstakes Awards to several large ensembles. In the junior category, Northwood Jazz Band I from Northwood Middle School in Spokane, directed by Brian Comstock, was honored. Caldera Inversion from Caldera High School in Bend, Oregon, led by Luke MacSween, received the award for high school vocal category. For high school instrumental category, Jazz Ensemble I from Edmonds-Woodway High School in Edmonds, Washington, under Jake Bergevin’s direction was recognized.
Four high school soloists were also acknowledged with Avista Foundation scholarships to attend the University of Idaho. Madeline Alviar from Garfield High School in Seattle was named Outstanding High School Vocalist; Jase McKnight from Lewiston High School was runner-up vocalist; Gavin Bunbury from Edmonds-Woodway High School earned Outstanding High School Instrumentalist; and Theo McGaughey from Chief Sealth International High School in Seattle was runner-up instrumentalist.
According to the university’s announcement, “The Avista Foundation awards scholarships annually at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival to the top high school vocal and instrumental soloists. Scholarships — $1,500 for winners and $1,000 for runners-up — may be used to pursue any major at U of I.”
This year’s event brought about 2,000 students and educators to Moscow for adjudicated performances as well as public workshops and four evenings of concerts featuring artists such as Summer Camargo, Tito Puente Jr., Jazzmeia Horn, Warren Wolf, Something Else!, and the Lionel Hampton Big Band.
For further information about the festival or future events at University of Idaho’s Lionel Hampton School of Music or Department of Theatre Arts contact Alisa Volz at avolz@uidaho.edu.