MOSCOW, ID — The 58th annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, held April 15-18 at University of Idaho, celebrated exceptional student talent by honoring top ensembles and solo performers from across the region.
Sweepstakes Awards were presented to the following outstanding large ensembles:
- Junior Category: Northwood Jazz Band I from Northwood Middle School in Spokane, directed by Brian Comstock.
- High School Vocal Category: Caldera Inversion from Caldera High School in Bend, Oregon, directed by Luke MacSween.
- High School Instrumental Category: Jazz Band from Las Vegas Academy of the Arts in Las Vegas, directed by Patrick Bowen.
In addition, four high school soloists received Avista Foundation Scholarships to attend U of I, in recognition of their outstanding performances:
- Outstanding High School Vocalist: Olivia Niles from Lake City High School in Coeur d’Alene, directed by D. Brittany Pfundheller.
- Runner-up High School Vocalist: Sierra Sedgwick from Lewiston High School in Lewiston, directed by Julie Burke.
- Outstanding High School Instrumentalist: Nathan Caranto, tenor saxophone, from Century High School in Hillsboro, Oregon, directed by James Dunlop.
- Runner-up High School Instrumentalist: Sean Andaya, drums, from Las Vegas Academy of the Arts in Las Vegas, directed by Patrick Bowen.
The Avista Foundation awards scholarships annually at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival to the top high school vocal and instrumental soloists. Scholarships — $1,500 for winners and $1,000 for runners-up — may be used to pursue any major at U of I.
This year’s festival welcomed 2,200 students and educators to Moscow for adjudicated performances, public workshops and four evenings of concerts featuring world-renowned artists including Arun Ramamurthy, Take 6, Jeff Hamilton Trio, Christine Jensen, Jamie Baum and the Lionel Hampton Big Band.
For more information about the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, visit uidaho.edu/jazzfest.
