Lynn Skinner Receives DownBeat Magazine’s Achievement Award for Jazz Education Hall of Fame
Wednesday, April 26 2006
April 26, 2006 MOSCOW, Idaho – The executive director of the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho, Lynn J. “Doc” Skinner, is the recipient of a prestigious award from DownBeat magazine. Skinner receives the DownBeat Achievement Award for Jazz Education Hall of Fame. It is the 15th year the magazine has recognized a leader in jazz education. Skinner joins jazz education pioneers David Baker of Indiana University, Bunky Green of the University of North Florida and Lawrence Berk, founder of the Berklee College of Music, in the DownBeat Hall of Fame. The award honors the significant work of music educators who have opened doors for and the minds of students through jazz. “Doc Skinner has been a guiding light as director of what has become the largest student jazz festival in the world,” said Jason Koransky, DownBeat magazine editor. “The Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival has changed the lives of thousands and thousands of people, sparked jazz education programs in the region and affected generations of students.” Koransky has covered the festival for the magazine five of the last six years. “There is nothing else like it, where students in such numbers soak up jazz and experience the music,” he said. “Doc’s love for the students, the music and the musicians make it happen.” Skinner will be featured in the June issue of DownBeat, as part of the magazine’s annual student music awards issue. “This Hall of Fame Award is an incredible honor for me, the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival, the University of Idaho, the city of Moscow, Idaho, my wonderful family and for all of my friends in the jazz world,” said Skinner. “It has taken outstanding support from so many to bring to pass my vision of what jazz can be to future generations. This has happened at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival. The greatest joy for me is seeing how the lives of artists, educators and students have been changed by the power of music as it touches the soul of each individual.” Skinner has directed or co-directed the festival for 35 years. In 1972, the festival was a two-day event with one guest artist, and about 50 student groups attended. Today, the event spans four days, features more than 50 guest artists and attracts more than 22,000 student musicians and visitors. He previously received a Jazz Education Achievement Award from DownBeat in 1998. The June issue of DownBeat is mailed to subscribers in early May and will be available for purchase May 23. -30- About the University of Idaho Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s flagship higher-education institution and its principal graduate education and research university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the nation and the world. The only institution in the state earning the prestigious Carnegie Foundation ranking for high research activity, University of Idaho researchers attract more than $100 million in research grants and contracts each year. UI’s student population includes first-generation college students and ethnically diverse scholars. Its high academic performers include 34 National Merit Scholars and a 2005-06 freshman class with an average high school grade point average of 3.42. Offering 106 degree options in nine colleges, UI combines the strengths of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu. CONTACT: Jeff Olson, University Communications, (208) 885-8934, jolson@uidaho.edu Jo-4/26/06-JAZ
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.