Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Announces 2015 Artist Lineup
Monday, September 29 2014
MOSCOW, Idaho – The University of Idaho Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival will celebrate its 48th year with a dynamic lineup of nationally acclaimed artists and jazz professionals in Moscow, Idaho, Wednesday through Saturday, Feb. 25-28.
“This year’s festival lineup is showing off the myriad styles of jazz music,” said Steve Remington, festival executive director. “We’re bringing in artists that represent a broader range of diversity in jazz — the shows will be lively and audiences will have a ball.”
The Wednesday, Feb. 25, opening night concert, presented by Avista Corp. in the University of Idaho Student Union Building Ballroom, will highlight vibraphonist Stefon Harris, saxophonists Jeff Coffin and Grace Kelly, with the All-Star Quartet featuring Josh Nelson, Graham Dechter, Katie Thiroux and Kevin Kanner and the Lionel Hampton School of Music Jazz Band 1.
The talents of Stefon Harris will be featured in multiple evening concerts throughout the festival, including Thursday’s and Saturday’s events. As a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, Harris has earned three consecutive Grammy Award nominations including Best Jazz Album and Best Jazz Instrumental Solo for his work with the jazz vibes. Harris is currently conducting clinics throughout the country and teaches at New York University.
Charismatic saxophonist Grace Kelly has performed at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival numerous times, and is a five-time recipient of the ASCAP Foundation’s Young Jazz Composers Award. Kelly wrote her first song at age 7 and moved on to record her first out of eight independently released albums at age 12. Ten years later, she is still infusing her high-energy jazz performances with pop and rock influences audiences will enjoy.
The Thursday, Feb. 26, evening concerts, presented by Pepsi, will showcase various artists in the many performance venues on the University of Idaho campus. The lineup includes Holly Hofmann & Mike Wofford playing selections from Hoffman’s Flutology project with special guests Ali Ryerson in the Administration Building Auditorium, Bria Skonberg with guests Jeff Coffin, Grace Kelly and the All-Star Quartet in the Haddock Performance Hall, Airmen of Note with Stefon Harris in the ASUI Kibbie Activities Center, and Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns in the Student Union Building Ballroom.
Skonberg, 2013’s “Up and Coming Jazz Artist of the Year,” will take the Haddock stage in a vibrant presentation of traditional jazz styles. Coffin, with his fusion and funk-based styling, is a three-time Grammy Award recipient with Bela Fleck & the Flecktones. He later began touring with Dave Matthews Band and also went on to front his own group, Jeff Coffin & the Mu’tet.
Thursday’s presentation by the Airmen of Note will provide audiences with a great opportunity to experience the premier jazz ensemble of the United States Air Force. The Airmen are one of six musical ensembles that comprise the U.S. Air Force Band, and they’ll be bringing a unique big band sound to the main stage of the Kibbie Dome.
“We aim to provide our audiences with some of the most talented musicians in the nation,” Remington said. “These individuals are bringing incredibly innovative performances to our hometown stages.”
The Friday, Feb. 27, evening concert will feature the Jensen Sisters, followed by Dianne Reeves in the ASUI Kibbie Dome.
Ingrid and Christine Jensen will be bringing their trumpet and saxophone talents, respectively, to the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in an exciting sisterly show. Both sisters are esteemed composers and have played together all over the country, from Seattle’s Jazz Alley to New York’s Museum of Modern Art.
Four-time Grammy Award recipient Dianne Reeves has been dubbed as one of the most talented singers in the business today. Reeves, a Detroit-born jazz star, will perform Friday night, following the February 2014 release of her newest album, “Beautiful Life.” Her new album includes covers of Bob Marley’s “Waiting in Vain,” Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You,” and Ani DiFranco’s 1995 hit “32 Flavors,” each mixed with the signature soulful sounds Reeves is famous for.
The Saturday, Feb. 28, evening concert will showcase the talent of the Lionel Hampton Jazz Orchestra with another appearance by special guest Stefon Harris. The festival will close with a Special Extravaganza, including another appearance by Dianne Reeves with more performers to be announced.
Tickets for the 2015 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival will be available to the general public Dec. 1. Donors may purchase tickets early, with donations of $250 or more.
Visit www.uidaho.edu/jazzfest or call 208-885-5900 for the most up-to-date festival information.
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Contact(s)
Chloe Rambo
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival
(208) 885-0117
crambo@uidaho.edu
Steve Remington
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival
(208) 885-0112
stevenr@uidaho.edu
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho helps students to succeed and become leaders. Its land-grant mission furthers innovative scholarly and creative research to grow Idaho's economy and serve a statewide community. From its main campus in Moscow, Idaho, to 70 research and academic locations statewide, U-Idaho emphasizes real-world application as part of its student experience. U-Idaho combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. It is home to the Vandals. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.