University of Portland Jazz Festival

The University of Portland Jazz Festival showcases outstanding student musicians, guest artists, and clinicians from around the country, all contributing to a vibrant celebration of jazz performance and education on our campus. Since its inception, the UP Jazz Festival has become a premier student jazz event in the Pacific Northwest. We support a mission of excellent teaching and individual attention in an environment that fosters development of the whole person, and our goal is to ensure that every participant leaves the festival inspired, with a greater appreciation for the art of jazz.

The UP Jazz Festival features a one-day, non-competitive, educational format for high school and middle school bands, with "Outstanding Soloist" awards given to students from each visiting band. We present the feature performance with our guest artist and the UP Jazz Ensemble, as well as our guest artist's master class, during the day, in order to ensure availability for visiting student groups who cannot attend an evening concert.

The 2025 Jazz Festival will feature performances by student ensembles, a clinic for each participating student group, a master class with this year’s guest artist, saxophonist Christopher McBride, a concert featuring the UP Jazz Ensemble with Mr. McBride, and an evening jam session with UP faculty and students. 

Please contact Dr. Don Norton at nortond@up.edu with any questions.

We look forward to seeing you at the Festival!