History
Since its inception in 1977, the DeMiero Jazz Festival has taken on several names while always staying true to its mission and vision. The festival was initially known as the Soundsation Jazz Festival and it was produced by student leaders in Soundsation and founder/director Frank DeMiero. It later became known as the Lynnwood Jazz Festival when the city of Lynnwood became the primary naming sponsor. Later, the festival was dubbed the Edmonds Community College Jazz Festival. In 2005, The Friends of Frank DeMiero began co-hosting the festival and for the past several years the festival has simply been named the DeMiero Jazz Fest. To avoid confusion, in 2014 the organization became officially known as the “DeMiero Jazz Festival” and our annual event remains titled the “DeMiero Jazz Fest”.
In the mid 70’s Frank and two other Jazz Choir directors met and shared what they would like to see in a Jazz Choir Festival. At the time all major jazz festivals were competitive. There were strict rules at these festivals: a limited and specific number of singers, the number of rhythm section members, the length of performance time and more. And, of course, there was only one first place winner, with everyone else going home in the losers bracket.
Scholarships
Tim Hauser Vocal Jazz Scholarship – This Scholarship honors the late Tim Hauser, founder and vocalist of The Manhattan Transfer. This scholarship allows a group to participate, perform, and interact with other students and learn from the very best in jazz. Being a part of the festival and getting to experience time with great musicians (and students just like them) will help stimulate growth and help their program get a solid footing in their own community.
The 2020 recipient was Edmonds Woodway Highschool, under the direction of Charlotte Reese!
Dee Daniels Jazz Vocal Scholarship – This scholarship was established by Dee Daniels and Doug Fleming in 2016 to provide young aspiring jazz vocalists with the opportunity to be mentored by renowned professional jazz artists, and to hone the craft of jazz singing, performance, and music industry business. The scholarship will offer each recipient the opportunity to be inspired, and to inspire others while attending the DeMiero Jazz Fest each year in Edmonds, Washington. For more information, click here.
The 2020 recipient was Brooke Lambert!
What To Expect
Students and directors participate in our festival to learn. It doesn’t matter if you are a novice or an experienced performing group. As long as you give your all and do you best, you are a winner at the DeMiero Jazz Fest. There are workshops and clinics throughout the festival in scatting, soloing, instrumental development, stage protocol, ensemble singing and more.
Our guest artists are selected utilizing four criteria:
1. Outstanding Performance – a world class artist
2. Outstanding Entertainer – an artist who can perform with technique in an inspirational manner
3. Outstanding Communicator – the ability to share knowledge and wisdom with students at all levels and with all years of experience
4. An Outstanding Person – a nice person who works well and gets along with everyone (this is too much work not to have fun!)
