RUSSIA, Moscow: Funk and Gospel Join Jazz at 2012 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival

MOSCOW, Idaho – The University of Idaho’s Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival celebrates its 45th anniversary with jazz, funk and gospel during the four-day winter festival in Moscow, Idaho, which runs Feb. 22-25.

The 2012 festival will highlight “Mentors and Masters: Partners Shaping Tomorrow.”

“It’s fitting to focus on our mentors and masters, since the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival is one of the largest and most anticipated educational jazz festivals in the United States,” said Steven Remington, executive director of the festival. “We’re excited to have greats like NEA Jazz Masters Paquito D’Rivera and Roy Haynes working with the next generation of jazz musicians.”

The festival opens on Wednesday, Feb. 22. On that day, select schools will take part in a “master class” created for these invited groups and, along with invited soloists, will perform in a 90-minute intensive performance class with clinicians. The educational day is capped by a focused workshop with saxophonist and clarinetist D’Rivera.

The daytime Wednesday performances and clinics are open to other schools and the general public to view.

Wednesday evening’s “Swing Out, Blow Out” kicks off the festival with D’Rivera and tenor saxophonist and clarinetist Anat Cohen performing with the All-Star Quartet and the University of Idaho’s Lionel Hampton School of Music Jazz Band. The evening concert will take place at 8 p.m., in the university’s Student Union Building Ballroom, 709 Deakin Ave. in Moscow.

Daytime student musician events on Thursday, Feb. 23, will include traditional performances by college, elementary and middle school students, along with clinics and workshops.

Thursday’s evening concert, “Generations on the Move,” is an open-seating format that features three separate groups at three separate venues on the University of Idaho’s Moscow campus. Each act will perform two sets with staggered venue start times.

• Matt Wilson’s Arts and Crafts with trumpeter Terrel Stafford will perform at 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., in the Administration Building Auditorium, 851 Campus Dr. in Moscow.

• Ray Brown Tribute featuring John Clayton on bass, Larry Fuller on piano and Karriem Riggins on drums will perform at 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., in the Student Union Building Ballroom, 709 Deakin Ave. in Moscow.

• Vocalist Sara Gazarek and Carmen Bradford will perform at 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. with Festival All-Stars Josh Nelson on piano, Ben Williams on bass, Graham Dechter on guitar and Kevin Kanner on drums. They perform in the School of Music Haddock Performance Hall, 1010 Blake Ave. in Moscow.

“We began this format last year and the opportunity to see several acts in more intimate venues was very well received and complimented the performing styles of artists like Nikki Yanofsky, Bill Charlap, Renee Rosnes and Atsuko Hashimoto,” said Remington.

Access to the venues is by wristband, allowing admission to all three acts.

Daytime events on Friday include high school vocal performances, as well as clinics and workshops.

Friday, Feb. 24, the evening concert titled “Soul Explosion,” will feature the Blind Boys of Alabama, along with Ike Stubblefield Jazz Trio with guests including trombonist Wycliff Gordon, saxophonist Rickey Woodard and multi-instrumentalist James Morrison. The Friday night performance will begin at 8:30 p.m., in the ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center, 1000 Stadium Way in Moscow.

Saturday’s daytime events include high school instrumental performances, as well as more clinics and workshops.

The season closes Saturday, Feb. 25, with the Lionel Hampton Youth Jazz Orchestra, joined by Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth Band and Tower of Power. Saturday night’s “Urban Urges” will begin at 8:30 p.m., in the ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center, 1000 Stadium Way in Moscow.

The Young Artists Concerts allow invited student ensembles a chance to perform on the main stage, and at the beginning of the week, the Jazz In the Schools program brings the music to the students, allowing arts and educators an opportunity for outreach with educational jazz materials and presentations – reaching nearly 7,000 kids in more than 25 schools throughout the Northwest.

Series tickets cost $95-$121, depending upon selected seats, and go on sale Friday, Oct. 28. Participating schools can purchase their tickets beginning Friday, Nov. 18.

General ticket sales start on Friday, Dec. 2 and cost $25 for Wednesday and $30 for Thursday. Floor seat for Friday and Saturday cost $45; for center stand seats in sections five, six and seven, tickets cost $40; and for seats on the outer seats in the outer stands, tickets cost $30.

Tickets may be ordered through the University of Idaho Ticket Office at (208) 885-7212 or (888) 8-UIDAHO or online at www.uidaho.edu/jazzfest/Tickets.

For more information, visit www.uidaho.edu/jazzfest or call (208) 885-5900.
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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, and competes in the Western Athletic Conference. Learn more: www.uidaho.edu.