WSU Students Received Awards at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival

PULLMAN, Wash. — Ensembles and soloists from Washington State University received top honors on College Day at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival held at the University of Idaho on Feb. 23.

WSU earned five first-place awards, more than any other college or university competing in the festival. The WSU Jazz Big Band directed by Greg Yasinitsky was selected as the Outstanding Guest College Band and the WSU Jazz Quintet directed by Horace-Alexander Young was selected as the Outstanding College Instrumental Combo.

John Gronberg received the Outstanding Trumpet Solo award, Matt Grimes received the Outstanding College Instrumental Bass Solo award and Skylar Garcia received the Outstanding College Flute Solo award.

“It is something of a tradition for WSU to be honored in this way at the Hampton Festival. I am delighted to see our students recognized at this important event,” said Greg Yasinitsky, WSU coordinator of Jazz Studies.

The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival is one of the largest events of its kind in the world attracting over 10,000 students from around the world.