DeMiero Jazz Festival kicks off 40th season through weekend

Posted: March 10, 2016 2205
Jazz clinician Dave Barduhn gives pointers to the Olympic High School jazz singers at the Thursday afternoon vocal jazz clinic at the Edmonds Conference Center. Barduhn teaches at the University of Portland and is best known for his jazz arranging for Stan Kenton and The Four Freshmen.
Jazz clinician Dave Barduhn gives pointers to the Olympic High School jazz singers at the Thursday afternoon vocal jazz clinic at the Edmonds Conference Center. Barduhn teaches at the University of Portland and is best known for his jazz arranging for Stan Kenton and The Four Freshmen.

The annual DeMiero Jazz Festival opens its 40th season in Edmonds this weekend. As in in the past, the three-day event features world-class evening jazz performances on the ECA stage with a series of daytime clinics. More than 1,500 students from throughout the Pacific Northwest get the rare opportunity to learn in an intimate and inspiring environment from these same musicians and some of the nation’s top jazz teachers and clinicians.

Soloist McCarey Mulliner-Wiseman takes center stage with the Olympic High School jazz singers at the DeMiero Jazz Festival clinic at the Edmonds Conference Center.
Soloist McCarey Mulliner-Wiseman takes center stage with the Olympic High School jazz singers at the DeMiero Jazz Festival clinic at the Edmonds Conference Center.

Named for Edmonds resident and national jazz icon Frank DeMiero, the mission of the annual festival is to inspire young people to develop critical life skills through the medium of jazz. Driven by DeMiero’s personal vision, the clinics provide a non-competitive atmosphere where students and teachers interact to practice performance skills, learn about jazz, gain an appreciation for music, instill positive attitudes, and learn the importance of “becoming the best you can be.”

The daytime clinics are free and open to the public. They provide the rare chance to experience the music of up-and-coming local jazz talents, and to enhance your personal appreciation of jazz as you watch students interact with and learn from experts in the field. Clinics run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Edmonds Conference Center and the Edmonds Center for the Arts.

The Olympic High School jazz singers under the direction of Tom McVicker perform as part of the Thursday afternoon jazz clinic.
The Olympic High School jazz singers under the direction of Tom McVicker perform as part of the Thursday afternoon jazz clinic.

Tickets are still available for this year’s evening concerts, featuring top names including Dee Daniels, Carmen Bradford, Greta Matassa, Josh Nelson, Charenee Wade, Bruce Forman, Jay Leonhard, David Tull, Soundstation, and the Seattle Jazz Singers.

For more information, event schedules and tickets, visit www.demierojazzfest.org.

— Story and photos by Larry Vogel

 

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