46th Annual UM Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival 2026 Registration Information
The 46th Annual UM Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival will take place on Thursday & Friday, March 12-13, 2026.
Registration is now live!
We are excited to host a phenomenal crew of award-winning artists and educators including Los Angeles based trombonist Erik Hughes, pianist Barb Catlin, Kris Johnson (trumpet), saxophonist Amanda Gardier, Molly Redfield (bass) and Los Angeles based drum set artist Lauren Ellis.
2026 Festival Schedule Information
Thank you for taking the time to be a part of our festival. We are all very excited about this event. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me using the contact information below.
Looking forward,
Rob Tapper
UM Director of Jazz Studies
509-280-2284
robert.tapper@umontana.edu
FEATURED 2026 ARTISTS/CLINICIANS!
- Amanda Gardier – saxophone
- Kris Johnson – trumpet
- Erik Hughes – trombone
- Barb Catlin – piano
- Molly Redfield – bass
- Lauren Ellis – drum set
And much, much more!
TICKETS:
Ensemble registration fee entitles participants to attend the evening concerts for free.
For individual ticket purchases, please visit the
DAILY SCHEDULES:
Coming Soon!
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
$350 – Big Band Registration
$150 – Small Group Registration
MAPS:
Check out the campus map and our new dining facility, The Lodge!
BEST SECTION AND OUTSTANDING SOLOIST INFORMATION:
Best Section/Soloist information here.
DATES AND DEADLINES:
Registration: The deadline for in-person participation is February 1, 2026.
HOTELS:
PLEASE BOOK YOUR ROOMS NOW AT THE OFFICIAL HOTEL OF THE UM BUDDY DEFRANCO JAZZ FESTIVAL. *Please ask for the Jazz Festival rate when calling.
1021 E Broadway Street
Missoula, 猎奇重口 59802
406.549.7600
PAST YEARS
View the 2024 Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival Concert Program here!
2025 Outstanding Festival Musicians
Thursday
Best Sections:
Saxophone
School - Hellgate High School Jazz I
Director - Jesse Dochnahl
Trumpet - Fred Nelson Award
School - Sentinel High School Jazz I
Director - Lewis Nelson
Trombone - Larry Gookin Award
School - Sentinel High School Jazz I
Director - Lewis Nelson
Rhythm Section - Bob LedBetter Award
School - Sentinel High School Jazz I
Director - Lewis Nelson
Outstanding Soloists:
Instrumental Soloist - Jodi Marshall Award
Soloist - Jack Morss, Guitar
School - Hellgate High School
Director - Jesse Dochnahl
Instrumental Soloist - Buddy DeFranco Award
Soloist - Gus Hickey, Saxophone
School - Hellgate High School
Director - Jesse Dochnahl
Instrumental Soloist
Soloist - Ben Meyers, Saxophone
School - Sentinel High School
Director - Lewis Nelson
Instrumental Soloist
Soloist - Noah Morss, Bass
School - Hellgate High School
Director - Jesse Dochnahl
Instrumental Soloist
Soloist - Elliot Cleary, Drum Set
School - Helena High School
Director - Cody Hollow
Instrumental Soloist
Soloist - Dom Gingerelli, Trumpet
School - Hellgate High School
Director - Jesse Dochnahl
Recognized Musicians:
- Soloist: Maxim Kohlberg, Vibes/Drum Set
School: Sentinel High School, Director - Lewis Nelson
- Soloist: Virgil Jones, Trumpet
School: Big Sky High School, Director - Willi Prince
- Soloist: Simon Gabriel Montecillo, Guitar
School: Sentinel High School, Director - Lewis Nelson
- Soloist: Sam Cavanaugh, Bass
School: Missoula All-City Jazz, Director - Rob Tapper
- Soloist: Oscar Valliant, Tenor Saxophone
School: Hellgate High School, Director - Jesse Dochnahl
- Soloist: Daxson Pettibone, Bass Trombone
School: Sentinel High School, Director - Lewis Nelson
2025 Outstanding Festival Musicians
Friday
Best Sections:
Saxophone - Brooke and Chuck Florence Award
School - Mercer Island Highschool
Director - Dave Bentley
Trumpet
School - Mead High School
Director - Rob Lewis
Trombone - Lance Boyd
School - Lewis & Clark High School
Director - Heidi Hanes
Rhythm Section
School - Mead High School
Director - Rob Lewis
Outstanding Soloists:
Instrumental Soloist
Soloist - Alanna Larson, Drum Set
School - Mercer Island High School
Director - Dave Bentley
Instrumental Soloist - Don & Pat Simmons Award
Soloist - Elliott Yaroslavsky, Trumpet
School - Mercer Island High School
Director - Dave Bentley
Instrumental Soloist - Earl Morgenroth Award
Soloist - Jace Samaha, Tenor Saxophone
School - Mead High School
Director - Rob Lewis
Recognized Musicians:
- Soloist: Katherine Selby, Drum Set
School: Mead High School, Director - Rob Lewis
- Soloist: Avery Mitchell, Drum Set
School: Cheney High School, Director - John Wiswell
- Soloist: Carson Johnson, Tenor Saxophone
School: Ferris High School, Director - Ben Brueggemeier
- Soloist: Valin Gabriel, Piano
School: Mead High School, Director - Rob Lewis
- Soloist: Denis Batalow, Alto Saxophone
School: Mercer Island High School, Director - Dave Bentley
- Soloist: Dashiell Stucke, Trombone
School: Lewis & Clark High School, Director - Heidi Hanes
- Soloist: Rylan Maurer, Trumpet
School: Great Falls High School, Director - Lisa Sundquist