Big sounds are headed for the University of Idaho’s Idaho Central Credit Union Arena as artists convene for the 56th annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow.
“We have an incredible lineup of diverse and eclectic musicians,” festival manager Navin Chettri said in a news release. “After two years of recovering from the pandemic, it’s thrilling to be back fully in person. Moscow will be filled with a musical and magical buzz.”
Tickets, $20-$50, are at uitickets.com for 7 p.m. concerts tonight through Saturday, April 20-22. Tickets also can be purchased at the Bruce M. Pitman Center information desk, 709 Deakin Ave., and at the ICCU Arena box office, 900 Stadium Drive, starting at 6 p.m. each evening.
April 20: Ghanaian drummer and dancer Habib Iddrisu and trombonist Marshall Gilkes lead off the World Music Celebration, with performances by the UI Jazz Band I, directed by Vern Sielert; UI Jazz Choir I, directed by Dan Bukvich; and the World Beat Ensemble, directed by Chettri.
April 21: The DIVA Jazz Orchestra, a big-band group of 15 female musicians, and säje, a Grammy-nominated ensemble of five women known for their smooth vocals, take the stage.
April 22: Two-time Grammy winner Marcus Miller and the Lionel Hampton Big Band featuring Jason Marsalis play the festival’s finale concert.
Miller, a renowned songwriter, record producer and bassist, performs as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Artist for Peace. Marsalis, a jazz drummer, vibraphone player, composer, producer and bandleader, is a member of the Marsalis family of musicians.
Elementary, junior high, high school and college students will perform during the day; schedules are at uidaho.edu/class/jazzfest/events/students. Schedules for workshops are at bit.ly/JazzFestWorshops.
