Jazz artists from around the world will be coming to the University of Idaho Feb. 23-26 for the 2005 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. More than 50 jazz artists will take to the stage during the four-day event, now in its 38th year.

The line up of performers includes well-known jazz artists Freddy Cole, Monte Alexander, Lou Rawls, Jane Monheit, Randy Brecker, John and Bucky Pizzarelli, Roy Hargrove and the Lionel Hampton New York Big Band.

Some of the faces new to the festival this year are Terrell Stafford, trumpet; Ken Peplowski, saxophone and clarinet; Jay Daversa, trumpet; Holly Hofmann, flute; and James Morrison, trumpet and trombone.

“This is an exciting group of jazz artists,” said Lynn J. Skinner, executive director of the jazz festival. “We have a number of returning friends, many of the world’s finest jazz artists, to perform along with a number of new, talented and entertaining musicians.”

Some special performances are in the works, including:

• “A Tribute to Nat “King” Cole, presented by Freddy Cole and Monte Alexander at the Wednesday, Feb. 23 concert; The concert also will feature a brass line up of Randy Brecker, Claudio Roditi, Terrell Stafford and Jay Ashby;
   
• Father and son, Bucky and John Pizzarelli, performing together at the Thursday, Feb. 24 concert.  Houston Person and Ken Peplowski performing with the house quartet of Benny Green, Russell Malone, Jeff Hamilton and John Clayton.
   
• The Friday, Feb. 25 concert features a vocalist line up of Lou Rawls, Jane Monheit and Dee Daniels.
   
• The Saturday, Feb. 26 concert is highlighted by the Lionel Hampton New York Big Band, along with performances by the Roy Hargrove Quintet and Australia’s popular James Morrison.

All concerts are in the Kibbie-ASUI Activity Center.

Series tickets for the festival concerts go on sale Nov. 15. General tickets are available beginning Dec. 6. Tickets are available at UI ticket offices at North Campus Center and the Kibbie Dome; by calling (208) 885-7212 or 1-88-88-UIDAHO; or by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Ticket prices range from $21 to $31.

Full lineups for the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival concerts are:

Wednesday, Feb. 23 – Pepsi International Jazz Concert
Freddy Cole, vocals; Monty Alexander, piano; Benny Green, piano; Russell Malone, guitar; Jeff Hamilton, drums; John Clayton, bass; Randy Brecker, trumpet; Claudio Roditi, trumpet; Terrell Stafford, trumpet; Jay Ashby, trombone; Four Freshmen, vocals; Lembit Saarsalu, saxophone; Leonid Vintskevich, piano; Enver Izmailov, guitar; Eldar Djangirov, piano.

Thursday, Feb. 24 – Horizon Air Special Guest Concert
John Pizzarelli, guitar and vocals; Bucky Pizzarelli, guitar; Benny Green, piano; Russell Malone, guitar; Jeff Hamilton, drums; John Clayton, bass; Roberta Gambarini, vocals; Tamir Hendelman, piano; Ken Peplowski, saxophone and clarinet; Houston Person, saxophone; Evelyn White, vocals.

Friday, Feb. 25 – Zions Bank All-Star Concert
Lou Rawls, vocals; Jane Monheit, vocals; Dee Daniels, vocals; Benny Green, piano; Russell Malone, guitar; Jeff Hamilton, drums; John Clayton, bass; Igor Butman, saxophone; Bill Watrous, trombone; Jay Daversa, trumpet; Holly Hofmann, flute.

Saturday, Feb. 26 – Avista Giants of Jazz Concert
Lionel Hampton New York Big Band; Ray Hargrove Quintet; Benny Green, piano; Russell Malone, guitar; Jeff Hamilton, drums; John Clayton, bass; Lorraine Feather, vocals; Shelly Berg, piano; James Morrison, trumpet and trombone.