Our festival’s focus is on Students. We emphasize student education and student performances. Each participating band is allocate an hour to perform and receive clinical evaluation. Each performance receives in-depth critique and guidance by a team of professional musicians and educators. Student perform in a first-class auditorium in-front of a live audience of peers and the public, making each performance as exciting and memorable as possible. While not a competition, recognition will be given to outstanding performances by sections and individuals. It is our intent to foster the joy of the music, while still offering students incentives to improve their individual and group skills. Mid-day Saturday, our students are treated to a 1 hour Master Class with our special guest and headline performer.

Attendance is $400 per band. Your registration fee covers all clinics, masterclasses and student attendance at the Saturday night headline performance. After you sign-up, we will contact you to help you coordinate payment, travel, housing, food, and scheduling. We have space for 18 bands, so sign up soon!

Saturday evening, the students and the general public are invited to our headline performance featuring world class jazz musicians. Our search is ongoing for works class musicians who are dedication to the education of the next generation. Our goal is to provide each director, each band and each student with the attention necessary for a meaningful educational experience.

For 2024, we were honored to be joined by Russell Malone, world renowned jazz guitarist. Sadly, Russell recently passed while on tour with Ron Carter in Japan. We are grateful Russell shared his vast experience and unrivaled talent with us in Leavenworth. We are currently conducting our search for 2025’s headline performer and are confident they will rise to Russell’s level.

Highlights from 2024

Russell Malone with Marc Seales, Phil Sparks and Matt Jorgensen

The Whitworth and Edmonds-Woodway Jazz Ensembles leading our 2024 Friday Night Swing Dance.

Please sign up for our mailing list and check back often for updates or check out our Facebook and Instagram sites. We are in our planning stages and will be announcing musicians, adjudicators and performance schedules soon. As always, if you are interested in volunteering, please contact us!!