Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival - 2024

The 44th Annual UM Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival will take place on Thursday and Friday March 14th and 15th, 2024. 

View the 2024 Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival Concert Program here!

See the Thursday and Friday festival schedules! *Schedules subject to change - please call with questions.

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Dear Participant, 

We are delighted you have selected to participate in the UM Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival 2024.

The University of Montana College of Arts and Media, in conjunction with the School of Music, is proud to announce the 2024 edition of the UM Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival which will occur on March 14-15, 2024. The emphasis of this instrumental jazz festival is on education, improvisation, and the jazz language.

The 2024 Festival Artists will include the talents of Mark Taylor (saxophone), Zach Paris (drum set), Dawn Clement (piano), Molly Redfield (bass), and Vern Sielert (trumpet).

On both evenings, experience a spectacular musical event with the High School Best Section Big Band and outstanding soloists from the daytime events along with more musical artistry.

The fun and learning continue throughout each day with clinics, ensemble critiques, workshops, open rehearsals, and master classes with guest artists, local musicians, and faculty from the University of Montana.

The UM Buddy DeFranco Festival promises to be an exciting opportunity to learn more about the language of jazz and a great weekend of music and jazz education.

FEATURED 2024 ARTISTS/CLINICIANS!

And much, much more! 

 


 

Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival 2024 Awards

Congratulations to all of the musicians & directors for an outstanding two days!

Thursday March 14, 2024:

BEST SECTIONS

Saxophone Section - Hellgate High School, Jesse Dochnahl

Fred Nelson Trumpet Section - Ridgeline High School, Eric Parker

Larry Gookin Trombone Section - Ridgeline High School, Eric Parker

Rhythm Section - Hellgate High School, Jesse Dochnahl

 

OUTSTANDING SOLOISTS

Buddy DeFranco Award - Gus Hickey, Alto Sax; Hellgate High School, Jesse Dochnahl

Jodi Marshall Award - Noah Rosulek, Guitar; Hellgate High School, Jesse Dochnahl

Outstanding Soloist - Noah Morss, Bass; Hellgate High School, Jesse Dochnahl

 

FESTIVAL RECOGNIZED MUSICIANS

Alexis Hahberg, Flugelhorn; Ridgeline High School, Eric Parker

Dom Gingerelli, Trumpet; Hellgate High School, Jesse Dochnahl

Jacob Perry, Tenor Sax; Ridgeline High School, Eric Parker

Matt Fields, Trumpet; East Helena High School, Cole Bass

 

Friday March 15, 2024:

BEST SECTIONS

Brooke and Chuck Florence Saxophone Section - Mt. Spokane High School I, Sy Hovik

Trumpet Section - Mead High School I, Rob Lewis

Lance Boyd Trombone Section - Mead High School I, Rob Lewis

Rhythm Section - Mt. Spokane High School I, Sy Hovik

OUTSTANDING SOLOISTS

Earl Morgenroth Award- Elliot Cleary, Drum Set; Helena High School, Cody Hollow

Don & Pat Simmons Award - Jesiah Lee, Tenor Saxophone; Mt. Spokane High School, Sy Hovik

Outstanding Soloist - Jace Samaha, Tenor Sax; Mead High School, Rob Lewis

Outstanding Soloist - Valin Gabriel, Piano; Mead High School, Rob Lewis

FESTIVAL RECOGNIZED MUSICIANS

Jackson Bautista, Trumpet; Great Falls High School, Lisa Sundquist

Emma Wendt, Alto Saxophone; Columbia Falls High School, Josh Forke

Jack Poole, Alto Saxophone; Mead High School II, Brian Comstock

Abbey Biel, Tenor Saxophone; Columbia Falls High School, Josh Forke

Rafe Rusche, Bass; Columbia Falls High School, Josh Forke

Zoe Jacobson, Trombone; Flathead High School, Dave Johnke

Teghan Bright, Alto Saxophone; Mead High School, Rob Lewis

Andrew Cessaratto, Tenor Saxophone; Chase Middle School, Brendan Cessaratto

Ashley Connor, Bass; Mead High School, Rob Lewis

Connor Jansen, Trumpet; Mt. Spokane High School, Sy Hovik

Kathryn Selby, Drum Set; Mead High School, Rob Lewis

Sawyer Peterson, Trombone; Mt. Spokane High School, Sy Hovik

Collin Capeller, Tenor Saxophone; Mead High School, Rob Lewis

Avery Mitchell, Drum Set; Cheney High School, Josh Wisswell


 

2024 Festival Schedule Information

Seating Chart & Solo Sheet

Please fill out the Seating Chart and the Soloist Sheet for our clinicians and festival coordinators.

Thank you for taking the time to be a part of our festival.  We are all very excited about this event. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me using the contact information below.

Looking forward,

Rob Tapper                        
UM Director of Jazz Studies  
509-280-2284    
robert.tapper@umontana.edu    

 

TICKETS:

Ensemble registration fee entitles participants to attend the evening concerts for free.

For individual ticket purchases, please visit the Griztix website!

SCHEDULES:

View the Thursday and Friday festival day-time schedules! *Schedules subject to change - please call with questions.

 

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

$350 – Big Band Registration

$150 – Small Group Registration

MAPS:

Check out the campus map and dining map!  

BEST SECTION AND OUTSTANDING SOLOIST INFORMATION:

Best Section/Soloist information here.

DATES AND DEADLINES:

Registration: The deadline for in-person participation is February 15, 2024.

HOTELS:

PLEASE BOOK YOUR ROOMS NOW AT THE OFFICIAL HOTEL OF THE UM BUDDY DEFRANCO JAZZ FESTIVAL.  *Please ask for the Jazz Festival rate when calling.

Comfort Inn University                
1021 E Broadway Street
Missoula, Montana 59802
406.549.7600   

 

SUMMER CAMPS

Join us for our Summer Music Camps!

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