Volunteers Needed for 59th Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow

The annual music event is seeking community support for its upcoming April festival.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The 59th Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, set for April 22-25 on the University of Idaho campus in Moscow, is seeking volunteers from the local community. Organizers are looking for U of I students, employees, and residents aged 18 and older to help with various roles, including pre-festival office work, performance site assistance, information desk duties, and more. Volunteers will receive one free concert ticket for every four hours of service.

Why it matters

The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival is a long-running and beloved annual event in Moscow that celebrates jazz music and the arts. The festival relies heavily on community volunteers to succeed, and getting local residents involved helps foster a sense of pride and ownership in the event.

The details

The festival is seeking volunteers for a variety of roles, including pre-festival office work, performance site assistance, information desk duties, workshop presentation help, and drive crew. No prior experience is required, and volunteers will receive one free concert ticket for every four hours of service. Roy Derrick, a third-year volunteer, said the event depends on community support and that volunteering can make people 'feel better about themselves'.

  • The 59th Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival is set for April 22-25, 2026.
  • The volunteer interest form closes on Sunday, March 15, 2026.

The players

Roy Derrick

A third-year volunteer for the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.

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What they’re saying

“A good reason to be involved is that it makes you feel better about yourself. Many of these types of events cannot succeed without the volunteers.”

— Roy Derrick, Volunteer (dailyfly.com)

What’s next

Those interested in volunteering can fill out an online interest form at go.uidaho.edu/jazz-volunteers before the March 15 deadline.

The takeaway

The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival's reliance on community volunteers highlights the importance of local engagement and support for cultural events, which can foster a sense of pride and ownership in the community.