Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival 2023 Awards

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

Thursday March 16, 2023:

BEST SECTIONS

Brooke and Chuck Florence Saxophone Section - Hellgate High School, Jesse Dochnahl

Fred Nelson Trumpet Section - Big Sky High School, Willi Prince

Lance Boyd Trombone Section - Sentinel High School, Lewis Nelson

Rhythm Section - Hellgate High School, Jesse Dochnahl

OUTSTANDING SOLOISTS

Buddy DeFranco Award - Connor Wheeler, Tenor Sax; Sentinel High School, Lewis Nelson

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

Outstanding Soloist - Gus Hickey, Alto Saxophone; Hellgate High School, Jesse Dochnahl

Outstanding Soloist - Samuel Kayll; Missoula All-City Jazz, Rob Tapper

FESTIVAL RECOGNIZED MUSICIANS

Garon Jones, Bass; Hellgate High School, Jesse Dochnahl

Shohei Mori, Drum Set; Hellgate High School, Jesse Dochnahl

Jackson Queneau, Piano; Hellgate High School, Jesse Dochnahl

Jackson Stiehl, Trumpet; Sentinel High School, Lewis Nelson

Levi Bruner, Trumpet; Big Sky High School, Willi Prince

Friday March 17, 2023:

BEST SECTIONS

Saxophone Section - Cheney High School, Josh Wisswell

Trumpet Section - Cheney High School, Josh Wisswell

Larry Gookin Trombone Section - Ridgeline High School, Eric Parker

Rhythm Section - Mead High School, Rob Lewis

OUTSTANDING SOLOISTS

Earl Morgenroth Award- Will Strauch, Trombone; Mead High School, Rob Lewis

Don & Pat Simmons Award - Teighan Bright, Alto Saxophone; Mead High School, Rob Lewis

Outstanding Soloist - Nick Kar, Tenor Sax; Mead High School, Rob Lewis

FESTIVAL RECOGNIZED MUSICIANS

Jackson Bautista, Trumpet; Great Falls High School, James Mepham

Ryan Knight, Tenor Saxophone; Cheney High School, Josh Wisswell

Ian Knight, Alto Saxophone; Cheney High School, Josh Wisswell

Colin Chen, Tenor Saxophone; Cheney High School, Josh Wisswell

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

Zoe Guttierez, Vibes; Missoula All-City Jazz, Naomi Siegel

Ryan Knight, Tenor Saxophone; Cheney High School, Josh Wisswell

Cameron Mitchell, Trombone; East Valley High School, Cole Bass

Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival 2023 Information

The 43rd Annual UM Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival will take place on Thursday and Friday March 16th and 17th, 2023.  Registration is now live!

View the 2023 Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival Program on our website!

Dear Participant, 

We are delighted you have selected to participate in the UM Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival 2023.

The University of Montana College of Arts and Media, in conjunction with the School of Music, is proud to announce the 2023 edition of the UM Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival which will occur on March 16-17, 2023. The emphasis of this instrumental and vocal jazz festival is on education, improvisation, and the jazz language.

The 2023 Festival Artists will include the talents of Caroline Davis (saxophone), Tina Raymond (drum set), Reggie Thomas (piano), Heather Chriscaden (bass), Phil Ostrander (trombone), and Trent Austin (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 2023 ARTISTS/CLINICIANS!

• Caroline Davis – saxophone
• Trent Austin – trumpet
• Phil Ostrander – trombone
• Tina Raymond – drum set
• Reggie Thomas – piano
• Heather Chriscaden – bass

And much more! 

Registration for the 43rd Annual Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival is now closed!

Festival Registration - Credit Card Link

Festival Registration - Check Link

Seating Chart & Solo Sheet

Please fill out the Seating Chart and the Soloist Sheet provided.  Please see the Buddy DeFranco Participant Letter here!

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    

2023 Festival Schedule Information

TICKETS:

Purchase tickets on the Griztix website!

SCHEDULES:

See the Thursday and Friday festival schedules here!  (times subject to change)

 FESTIVAL AND GUEST ARTIST MATERIALS:

Updated 2023 guest artist materials coming soon!

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

$300 – Big Band Registration

$100 – Small Group Registration

Check out the campus map and dining map!  Additionally, check out the best section and soloist information on our website. 

DATES AND DEADLINES:

Registration: The deadline for in-person participation is February 15, 2023.

HOTELS:

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

Comfort Inn Missoula-University

1021 E Broadway Street

Missoula, Montana 59802

406-549-7600

Great Music and Spectacular Education

The University of Montana College of Arts and Media in conjunction with the School of Music is proud to announce the 2023 edition of the UM Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival which will occur March 16th and 17th, 2023. The emphasis of this instrumental jazz festival is on education, improvisation, and the jazz language.

Join us for our Summer Jazz Camp!  Info can be found on our Summer Music Camps website..