America’s jazz culture originated in African American communities throughout New Orleans before the turn of the nineteenth century, but jazz quickly grew into one of the most famous genres to come out of the US and became wildly popular during the Jazz Age of the 1920s and 1930s.

Over the years, a number of musicians rose to fame through jazz, including legendary bandleader Lionel Hampton. Hampton was a multitalented artist who was experienced with many different instruments, including the vibraphone, drums, and piano, and became famous for his 1942 hit, “Flying Home”—a song believed to be the precursor to R&B music.

The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival has been an ongoing tradition at the University of Idaho for nearly sixty years, and the university’s music school is even named for the famed jazz musician—the school had a close partnership with Hampton until his passing in 2002.

• A Long-Standing Tradition
  Since the 1960s, the festival has honored Hampton’s contributions to jazz and the music industry as a whole. It has become one of the largest and oldest educational jazz events in the world, and it features student competitions, performances from some of the top jazz bands, and workshops to strengthen an interest in and grow an appreciation for jazz music.
  
  The festival has expanded greatly since its inception and now brings in more than 5,000 talented young artists annually to show their skills and learn from masters in the industry. Many of the educational workshops offered throughout the festival are taught by the festival’s award-winning performers, university staff, and other professionals from around the world.



• What to Expect at the Festival
  The festival takes place February 22–23 in 2019 and is scheduled to include performances from the Grammy Award-winning orchestra group the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra—which has been performing for over fifty years—as well as performances by the New Lionel Hampton Big Band, University of Colorado professor and longtime performer Paul McKee, and Dawn Clement’s Gratitude Trio.
  
  Students as young as elementary school age can compete in a number of vocal and instrumental competitions, which are followed by constructive and instructive clinics, led by top performers and professors, to help students fine-tune their skills. In the evening, visitors get a chance to listen to performances by world-renowned solo artists and groups.



• Move to the Music
  Aside from the music, a big part of jazz culture is dance, and the festival makes sure to highlight the importance of movement in the genre. In 2018, workshops were held in swing dancing, percussive tap, hip-hop, and krump, and even included a step-by-step walk-through of the famous choreography from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video. There are also opportunities for artists to learn specific techniques, such as minimalism, get tips for breathing exercises, and discover ways in which math and science influence the arts.
  
  The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival uses jazz as a medium to discuss the importance of the arts as a whole in our society and brings together artists from around the world in celebration. For those with an interest in jazz, it’s an unbeatable opportunity to hear up-and-coming musicians in the genre, as well as longtime performers who have helped innovate and shape the face of modern jazz.

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