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University of Idaho
Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival
41 Years of Jazz Music Education
1967
The first University of Idaho Jazz Festival is held under the direction of music Professor David Seiler. Trumpet player, Buddy Brisboe, performs for the one-day event.
1972
University of Idaho music professors Rich Werner and Lynn Skinner begin directing the Festival.
1977
Skinner takes over the direction of the jazz festival with the goal of increasing young people's exposure to professional jazz musicians, especially those playing in the classic jazz tradition.
1979
Skinner brings in jazz artists including Japanese pianist, Toshiko Akioshi and the Lew Tabackin Big Band.
1980
The number of junior high school, high school and college vocal and instrumental ensembles jumps to 125. Festival attendance grows to 3,000.
1981
Through a connection with Chevron, Skinner arranges for Ella Fitzgerald to perform.
1983
Doc Severinsen, The Four Freshmen, and Bobby McFerrin perform.
1984
Sarah Vaughn and Lionel Hampton perform.
1985
Hampton begins his association with the festival, and the festival becomes known as the University of Idaho Lionel Hampton/Chevron Jazz Festival.
1987
The University of Idaho dedicates and renames its school of music the University of Idaho Lionel Hampton School of Music. Festival concerts are moved from Memorial Gym to the ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center.
1989
The festival expands from three to four evening performances to include Wednesday night. Patricia Miller performs with backup from Hampton on songs from "Porgy and Bess." Visiting Soviet jazz musicians perform an impromptu set with Lionel.
1990
The Wednesday evening concert is named the International World Jazz Concert. Jazz artists from the Soviet Union, the People's Republic of China, Japan and Brazil perform.
1991
Friday's All-Star Concert is dedicated to Robert E. Kirby, with guest musicians Dizzy Gillespie and Dianne Reeves.
1992
Clint Eastwood receives the Lionel Hampton Jazz Hall of Fame Award. Some 450 student groups participate, with more than 10,000 students; total attendance exceeds 22,000.
1993
More than 500 student groups participate. Student competitions include more than 12,000 young musicians.
1994
The festival is renamed the University of Idaho Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. The last night of the festival is dedicated to Dizzy Gillespie. Jazz critic Leonard Feather is honored for his 60 years in the business. The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival is featured in various publications, including the New York Post, JazzTimes, Downbeat, JazzIz, The Hollywood Reporter, American Visions, The Jazz Report, Crescendo & Jazz Music (United Kingdom), The Vancouver Sun, Jazz Voice, The Dallas Morning News, The Mississippi Rag, Musica Jazz (Italy), Swing Journal (Japan), Orkester Journalen - Om Jazz (Sweden), the Instrumentalist and Entertainment Weekly.
1997
The festival celebrates 30 years.
1998
Waseda University from Tokyo, Japan, competes in the Community College Open Division and takes home first place.
2000
Al Grey dies March 23, 2000 – four weeks to the day after his final performance at the festival.
2001
Al Grey Legacy Tribute. University of Idaho announces the Lionel Hampton Center Initiative, a $60 million fundraising effort to support Lionel Hampton's dream of a home for jazz at the University of Idaho. Former President George and Barbara Bush and Congressman John Conyers are honorary co-chairs of the National Committee.
2002
Lionel Hampton makes his final performance at the Saturday concert. Hampton passes away Aug. 31, 2002, in New York City at the age of 94.
2003
The festival attracts near record numbers of students, teachers, parents, friends and jazz lovers from around the world. Special tributes to Hamp's lifetime of jazz show that his legacy of inspiring young artists and preserving jazz for generations to come is as vital and exciting as ever – his contributions are well-remembered.
2006
A name change; it’s now the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival to reflect the festival’s international stature. Nearly 80 jazz musicians from more than 30 countries have been featured at the festival over the years, coming from China to the Czech Republic and Portugal to Peru. Students from Canada, Japan, Russia and Kyrgyzstan also have been festival performers. Journalists from around the world play a greater role in promoting the festival. Jazz writers from Russia, France, England and Japan have reported on the festival in recent years.
Another change: the Thursday night concert is named to honor legendary bass player and strong festival supporter Ray Brown. Brown first appeared at the festival in 1985 and came back every year, except one, until 2002. He passed away in July 2002.
2007
Lynn Skinner, "Doc", retires as executive director of the festival after 31 years. John Clayton, a 10-year veteran of the festival and nationally renowned bassist, is appointed Artistic Director. Joining Clayton in heading up the Festival is Cami McClure, who serves as interim executive director and handles the festival's day-to-day business affairs. The 2007 festival honors Doc Skinner's three decades of dedication to educational excellence and welcome John aboard. The festival also wins a National Medal of the Arts – the nation's most prestigious arts award.
2008
The festival kicks off a 100th Birthday Bash for Lionel Hampton.
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