MusicFest Northwest aims to engage young musicians in the community with fervor and innovation. This is why we are thrilled to be hosting our first-ever annual Jazz Festival as part of our 80th-year anniversary celebration! High school and college-aged jazz artists can look forward to many opportunities to expand their musicianship and connections. Students will perform with regional professionals, and play for the chance to perform alongside the renowned Spokane Jazz Orchestra. Our first Jazz Festival will be adjudicated by our renowned clinician, Vern Sielert, and also host  regional professionals Brent Edstrom (piano), Eugene Jablonsky (bass), and Derek Munson (percussion). Learn more about our renowned clinician and visiting artists below, and see how you can compete for the opportunity to perform live alongside the Spokane Jazz Orchestra at the Bing Crosby Theater.  

Who Can Play? 

MusicFest Northwest’s first annual Jazz Festival has two divisions. Students aged 14-18 and currently enrolled in high school may register for the Young Artist High School class, and jazz artists aged 19-29 are eligible for the Young Artist College class. 

What Happens? 

On Saturday May 10, 2025, jazz artists will participate in a 15-minute clinic rehearsal for their adjudication session, receiving live feedback from our acclaimed visiting rhythm section: Brent Edstrom (piano), Eugene Jablonsky (bass), and Derek Munson (percussion). Students may perform any two stylistically contrasting jazz pieces that, combined, are 10 minutes in length or shorter. This will ensure you receive plenty of time for feedback from the rhythm section! Following the clinic rehearsal, you will perform alongside the rhythm section for our renowned clinician Vern Sielert, who will then provide ensemble feedback. 

Why Participate? 

MusicFest Northwest’s first annual Jazz Festival is one of the only events of its kind. Students will perform for a diverse audience of peers, educators, and community members. The one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn new techniques and style tips from our visiting rhythm section and clinician can be influential on your learning for years to come. In addition, the Gold Medal winners in each division will be invited to perform as a featured guest artist alongside the Spokane Jazz Orchestra at Spokane’s own Bing Crosby Theatre. Our first annual Jazz Festival is the perfect opportunity to unite and celebrate jazz music’s beauty and creative potential. Find out more about our visiting artists and clinician below, and register until February 28! Needs-based scholarship applications are open. 

Who’s Coming? 

Vern Sielert (Clinician) (Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Studies: University of Idaho) 

Brent Edstrom (Rhythm Section, piano) (Amy M. Ryan Endowed Professor: Whitworth University, published author and arranger) 

Eugene Jablonsky (Rhythm Section, bass) (Nationally recognized teacher, performer, and recording artist)

Derek Munson (Rhythm Section, percussion) (Nationally recognized multi-genre touring artist)

From upper left: Vern Sielert (Visiting Clinician), Derek Munson (Rhythm Section, percussion), Brent Edstrom (Rhythm Section, piano), Eugene Jablonsky (Rhythm Section, bass) 

MusicFest Northwest is incredibly thankful to all our visiting artists for the first annual Jazz Festival. We are eagerly anticipating this brand-new collaborative environment in honor of our 80th year! Register today until February 28; needs-based scholarships are available. Please email office@musicfestnorthwest.org with any questions.