April means jazz in Missoula, thanks to the annual Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival. In 2012, the festival takes place April 27 and 28. As of this writing, we still have some space available at our Missoula Bed and Breakfast during the festival.
Buddy DeFranco plays jazz and bebop clarinet like nobody else. He has worked with such greats as Count Basie and the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He has performed with Art Tatum, and Gene Krupa. He is still going strong at 89.
The Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival at the University of Montana is a noncompetitive, educational event for high school and college jazz bands. The public is invited to attend as well, and those who do are rewarded with some fine music.
In addition to high school and college jazz bands, each year the festival features some of the biggest names in jazz. This year, performers include Bob Sheppard, Ignacio Berroa, David Morgenroth, Clipper Anderson, and the UM Jazz Band. Buddy DeFranco himself will take the stage on Saturday night.
Each year we welcome jazz fans to our Missoula Bed and Breakfast during the festival, as well as families of some of the younger performers. It’s always an exciting weekend, and we’re looking forward to it.
Additional festival information is available at UMT.
