The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival is the largest annual jazz festival west of the Mississippi River. As it was established in 1967, next spring's festival will be its 59th year. The festival was named after master jazz vibraphonist Lionel "Hamp" Hampton in 1985.
The annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival will be held this spring from Wednesday, April 22, through Saturday, April 25.
Volunteer applications are now open. Those who volunteer for at least four hours will earn a free concert ticket. In years past, general admission tickets have cost $70.
Those interested can fill out this form for more information. After filling out the application, a volunteer training program must be completed to qualify for the real application.
Adults of all abilities and experiences are invited to sign up, as positions are diverse. Positions include working with directors, guiding groups around campus, assisting adjudicators, setting up and tearing down performance rooms and driving participants between sites. For more information, contact the LHJF at [email protected]. Volunteer applications are open until March 15.
The 2026 Jazz Fest will host both local and international acts. Featured artists include Latin jazz percussionist Tito Puente, Jr., the son of the legendary timbalero Summer Camargo; a rising SNL house band and Broadway trumpet player will play Thursday, April 23; Jazzmeia Horn, a three-time Grammy nominee vocalist will sing on Friday, April 24.; and Vincent Herring's jazz supergroup Something Else! specializes in 60s and 70s soul jazz and will play that Saturday, April 25.
UI's own Lionel Hampton Big Band, World Beat Ensemble and jazz choirs will perform along with the Palouse Jazz Project, a LHSOM faculty septet that will play original compositions and arrangements.