From musicians who have played for presidents to instrumentalists who regularly jam with legends, some top names in jazz will appear this weekend at the University of Idaho Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.
Besides the greats, each evening concert will feature winning student performers from the festival’s daily competitions. Here’s the 2019 lineup.
Friday — Dawn Clement's Gratitude Trio and Paul McKee
Pianist, vocalist and composer Dawn Clement is known for her distinctive sound and presence. She was once hailed as a musical wonder woman by the Seattle Times for her impressive range, and JazzTimes magazine called her “one of the most interesting of the new crop of jazz pianists.” Her Gratitude Trio also features drummer Matt Wilson, who performed for President Barack Obama at a White House state dinner with other jazz icons; and acoustic and electric bassist Chuck Deardorf. The night also features performances by trombonist Paul McKee, and the UI Jazz Choir and Jazz Band.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOpCkD2pLy4
Saturday — The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and the New Lionel Hampton Big Band
Some of New York City’s finest musicians make up the 16-piece, Grammy-winning Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, which got its start in the 1960s at the famous Village Vanguard jazz club. The band is known for highlighting its talented soloists by letting them play much longer than was once typical of large ensembles. More than half the band’s 32 albums have been nominated for Grammys, with two winning the award. The group’s regular Monday show at the club is one of the longest-running gigs in jazz history.
Antonia Bennett, daughter of legendary singer Tony Bennett, is the vocalist for the New Lionel Hampton Big Band. The band will close out Saturday’s concert with a focus on Hampton’s music, which highlighted the vibraphone, featuring Joseph Doubleday. Doubleday was the first vibraphonist to be accepted to the prestigious Jazz Studies program at the Juilliard School of Music in New York. Bennett has shared the stage with musical icons like Rosemary Clooney and Count Basie. The band also features a number of musicians who spent time playing with Hampton before his death in 2002, including trombonist Robert Trowers, pianist Kuni Mikami and saxophonist Lance Bryant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lWBMo7vRk0
IF YOU GO
WHAT: 2019 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival concerts
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 22-23
WHERE: Kibbie Dome, University of Idaho campus, Moscow
COST: $15 to $45
TICKETS: www.uidaho.edu/jazzfest, (208) 885-7212
