Bush to honor UI jazz event

BOISE – A jazz festival that began 40 years ago in a small North Idaho college town and has grown into a four-day event drawing top musicians from around the globe will receive one of the nation’s most prestigious arts honors.

In a ceremony at the White House today, President Bush will award the National Medal of Arts to the University of Idaho Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival.

“It means the highest level of national recognition for our artistic efforts,” Tim White, university president, told the Associated Press Wednesday. “It doesn’t get any higher than this, so we’re very, very proud of the recognition. It reflects years of work by many, many thousands of people who have worked to make the festival what it is today.”

From its humble roots in 1967, when 15 student groups competed then attended a concert by a single jazz artist, the festival has ballooned in size and scope.

Its relationship with jazz legend Lionel Hampton began in 1984 when he performed at the then-University of Idaho Jazz Festival. It was renamed after Hampton in 1985, and his influence helped lure some of the jazz world’s best and most influential artists to the campus in Moscow each year.

Past concert bills have included the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Gerry Mulligan, Stan Getz, Wynton Marsalis and Diana Krall.

Hampton, a vibraphonist and leader of the New York Big Band, died in 2002 at the age of 94. When he died, he willed most of his papers and jazz collections to the university. The festival was the first and remains the only named after a black jazz musician.

“This festival has such an enduring impact not only on young jazz artists, but on established jazz artists and jazz supporters from around the world,” said John Clayton, the festival’s artistic director, who with White will receive the award at a White House ceremony.

The National Medal of Arts was established by Congress in 1984 to celebrate the work of America’s best authors, musicians, poets and performers. It is the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the federal government.

White says the University of Idaho is the first public university to receive the award. “It puts the entire university on the national scene for all our academic programs,” White said.

Jim Wilke, the host of National Public Radio’s program “Jazz After Hours,” says the festival’s most significant contribution over the last five decades is the influence it has had on developing young musicians and instilling a love and appreciation for jazz music.

“Not all these kids are going to grow up and be performers,” Wilke said. “But when you think about the thousands of kids that attend every year, when they get older they are going to know something about jazz music and its rich history. It’s really a unique experience.”

The 41st annual festival, featuring a celebration of Hampton’s music and influence, is scheduled for Feb. 20-23.