Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival Features McFerrin, Latin Sounds

By I Feb. 19, 2009

The Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival, which runs from Feb. 25-28 at the University of Idaho in Moscow, is planning a more expansive musical lineup than what has been presented in recent years. Under the artistic direction of John Clayton, the educational festival will present musicians such as Bobby McFerrin, Monty Alexander and Kenny Barron.

The Feb. 25 concert has the theme “Latin Rhythms Meet Dizzy Gillespie.” The evening’s lineup will feature Jon Faddis with an all-star band of guest trumpeters, including Byron Stripling, in a horn blow out. Other artists on the bill include vocalist Jackie Ryan and Jose Rizo’s Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars.

The Feb. 26 concert, under the title “Island Fever—Grooves From Brazil and the Caribbean,” will showcase the likes of Monty Alexander’s Jazz and Roots; Kenny Barron’s Canta Brazil with Trio da Paz and Anne Drummond on flute; and the Anthony Wilson/Chico Pinheiro band.

The Feb. 27 “Sing and Swing/Tribute to Ray Brown” will again feature the Alexander, in a trio with Jeff Hamilton on drums and John Clayton on bass, which will perform a tribute to Brown. McFerrin headlines this evening.

On Feb. 28, “Everybody Dance” will feature pianist Eldar Djangiro, vocalist Gretchen Parlato and the Lionel Hampton New York Big Band with Joe Locke.

For details and tickets, go to uidaho.edu/jazz.