In music, a tenuto mark signifies that a note should be sustained for its whole value. Recipients of this award are those who have made significant contributions to music education, enabling young people to live their lives to their fullest value. Each year the DeMiero Jazz Festival selects one or more people who have made an impact in the field of Jazz in association with the DeMiero Jazz Festival and recognizes them with the Tenuto Award. Here is a list of past Tenuto Award Winners:
2023 Regina Carretta, DJF Board Member
2023 Steve Cobb, Volunteer
2023 Café Louvre, Haifa Fakih – Community Member
2023 Charlotte Reese, Educator
2022 New York Voices: Kim Nazarian, Darmon Meader, Lauren Kinhan, Peter Eldridge; Jazz Ensemble
2022 Geoff Lloyd, DJF Board Member
2022 Ziggy Spiz, Photographer
2022 Eric Verlinde, Jazz Pianist
2020 Paulette Johnson, DJF Board Member
2020 Jeff Horenstein, Educator
2019 Catherine Montrose, DJF Board Member
2019 Moc Escobedo, Educator
2019 Wright, DianeB95 Arts & Feature Writer
2018 Natalie Wilson, Educator
2018 Peter Taylor, Educator
2018 Rob Hyatt, DJF Festival Director
2018 Harold Modell, DJF Board Member
2018 Linda Harvey, Volunteer
2017 Ann MacDonald, founder and director of “Whatcom Sound Jazz Singers”
2017 Matt Falker, Mira Costa College composer, arranger, professor; leader of vocal quartet “True North”
2017 Max Mendez, North Idaho College music educator
2017 Michele Weir, arranger and clinician
2017 Yvonne DeMiero, hospitality director, past DJF Board Secretary and Vice President
2016 Dan Davison, Ballou JHS music educator and jazz choir director
2016 Dick VanHollebeke, first DJF Board President, former President of the Edmonds Community College Board of Trustees
2016 Edmonds Arts Commission (headed by Frances Chapin)
2016 Josh Nelson, Jazz Pianist and Composer
2016 Nich Anderson, former Board President, Vocal Jazz Instructor and Choir Director, Todd Beamer HS
2015 Barbara Kindness, Board Member, Publicist
2015 Edmonds Harbor Inn (Darlene Seymour & Jan Conner)
2015 Shannon Howland, Transportation Coordinator
2015 Tim Hauser, Founder, Manhattan Transfer
2015 Tom McVicker, Chorale Director, Olympic High School
2014 Allen & Marsha Lyons, Dedicated Festival Attendees
2014 Kathy Miller, Meadowdale MS Music Educator
2014 Keith Corning, Sound Engineer
2014 Louise Uriu, Board Member, Volunteer Coordinator
2014 Patrick McMahan, McMahan Licensing and Insurance
2014 Vincent DeMiero, Board Member
2013 Anita Kerr, Composer, Arranger, Jazz Vocalist
2013 Carmen Bradford, Jazz Vocalist
2013 Chris Olson, Corporate Sponsor
2013 Dave Cazier, Educator
2013 Tom & Barb Hawksford, Board Members
2012 Barb Smith, Board Member
2012 Bill Kennelly, Kennelly Keys Corporate
2012 Greta Matassa, Jazz Vocalist
2012 Kirk Marcy, Soundsation Director
2011 John Pizzarelli, Jazz Guitar, Vocalist
2011 Mary Van Meter, Board Member
2011 W. Joe DeMiero, Board Member
2010 Sara Gazarek, Jazz Vocalist
2010 Symetra Financial, Corporate Sponsor
2009 Sam & Evelyn Ewing, Private Contribution
2005 Judy Filibeck, Inglemoor High School
2005 Pat Castro, Snohomish High School
2004 Clarence Acox, Garfield High School Band
2004 Jon Hendricks, Professional vocalist, lyricist
2003 Jim Wilke, KPLU FM 88.5
2003 Roger Stansbury, AC Davis High School
2002 Chris Youngberg, Ephrata High School
2002 Dave Barduhn, Mt. Hood Community College
2001 Dan Slater, Quincy High School
2000 Kristin Korb, Central Washington University
1999 Al Galante, Edmonds Community College
1998 Gene Aitken, University of Northern Colorado
1997 Ernestine Anderson, Jazz Vocalist
1997 Loren Wenz, South Salem High School
1996 Dee Daniels, Jazz Vocalist
1996 Kirby Shaw, Jazz Arranger, Vocalist
1995 Barney McClure, Jazz Pianist
1995 Kathleen King, Sutherlin High School
1994 Dave Cross, Cascade High School
1994 Louise Rose, Jazz Vocalist, Pianist
1993 Count Basie Orchestra, Big Band
1993 Diane Schuur, Jazz Vocalist
1992 Joe Williams, Jazz Vocalist
1992 Louis Bellson, Professional Drummer
1991 John Moawad, Central Washington University
1990 Ken Kraintz, Everett School District
1989 Bob Flanigan, The Four Freshmen
1989 Jerry McManus, Hazen High School
1988 Hal Malcolm, Mt. Hood Community College
1988 Ralph Mutchler, Olympic College
1987 Frank DeMiero, Founder of Soundsation
1986 Mimi Perrin , Double Six of Paris
1985 Bill Klein , Issaquah High School
1985 Jack Kunz , Lake Washington High School
1985 Waldo King , Roosevelt High School
