University of Idaho to Host 59th Annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, April 22-25
MOSCOW, Idaho — The University of Idaho will host the 59th annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival from Wednesday, April 22, through Saturday, April 25, drawing thousands of students and educators to Moscow for four days of performances, workshops, and celebrations of jazz.
Now in its sixth decade, the festival stands as one of the most prominent jazz education events in the Pacific Northwest, reflecting the University of Idaho’s long-standing commitment to the performing arts and music education. The event is presented by the Lionel Hampton School of Music and brings together student performers, professional headliners, and educators from across the region.
Performances, Workshops, and Student Engagement
Students will participate in three days of adjudicated performances, offering young musicians the opportunity to have their work evaluated by professionals in the field. Beyond the competitive component, festivalgoers can take advantage of a variety of free public workshops throughout the event. Programming includes disco and tap-dancing classes, a yoga session, and a presentation exploring anime and its connections to jazz, among other offerings.
Headlining artists — including Tito Puente Jr., Jazzmeia Horn, and soul jazz supergroup Something Else! — will also host Meet the Artist sessions in addition to their evening performances, giving students a chance to interact with professional musicians in a more personal and educational setting.
The festival opens Wednesday evening with Hamp’s Gala at 7 p.m. in the Administration Building Auditorium. The traditional kickoff concert features student ensembles from the Lionel Hampton School of Music and admission is free to the public.
Thursday evening’s World Music Celebration at ICCU Arena will feature Tito Puente Jr., a mambo, salsa, and Latin jazz percussionist; Summer Camargo, jazz trumpeter and member of the Saturday Night Live house band; the U of I Jazz Band I under the direction of Vern Sielert; the U of I Jazz Choir I under the direction of Dan Bukvich; and the World Beat Ensemble under the direction of Navin Chettri.
Friday night’s concert at ICCU Arena spotlights Jazzmeia Horn, a Grammy-nominated, multi-award-winning jazz vocalist, alongside master vibraphonist Warren Wolf, a member of the SFJAZZ Collective. The U of I Chamber Jazz Choir, U of I Jazz Band I, the Palouse Jazz Project — a faculty sextet from the Lionel Hampton School of Music — and Hamp’s Jazz Ambassadors round out the evening.
The festival concludes Saturday night with Something Else!, led by saxophonist Vincent Herring, and the iconic Lionel Hampton Big Band, featuring Jason Marsalis and Joe Double Day, alongside Hamp’s Jazz Ambassadors.
Tickets, Discounts, and Festival Details
Admission to Wednesday’s Hamp’s Gala is free. Tickets for all other evening concerts are priced between $50 and $70 and are available through the Bruce M. Pitman Center Box Office, online at uitickets.com, or at the door while supplies last. Card-only payment is accepted at the door.
University of Idaho students are eligible for a 50% discount on concert tickets on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to limited availability. A clear bag policy will be enforced for all events held at ICCU Arena.
The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival has long served as a valuable education touchstone for schools across Idaho and the broader region, bringing the performing arts to students who may have limited access to live professional music. The Idaho Board of Education has previously visited Moscow to engage with the University of Idaho’s academic and cultural programming, underscoring the institution’s central role in the state’s educational landscape.
The University of Idaho continues to anchor Moscow’s cultural and civic identity, with programs like the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival attracting regional visitors and supporting local businesses throughout the Palouse. For more information on the festival, visit uidaho.edu/jazzfest.
What Comes Next
The 59th annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival runs April 22-25 at venues across the University of Idaho campus in Moscow. Residents, students, and visitors interested in attending are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at uitickets.com, as availability at the door is not guaranteed. The University of Idaho’s faculty and staff continue to draw regional and national recognition for their work across academic and cultural disciplines.