The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival has a not-so new face to direct the 50th anniversary of the annual event.
After working for the University of Idaho for more than a decade Aaron Mayhugh will step in as manager to oversee the planning and coordination of all aspects of Jazz Fest.
Mayhugh graduated from UI with a degree in music history and literature in 1997. He also has a background in technology coordination and event planning after working for the past 10 years as the senior tech coordinator for event services at the university. Mayhugh was named University of Idaho Outstanding Employee of the year in 2009.
“I feel that I have a lot to learn from him and he has a lot to teach me,” said Nathan Pleskoff, who started working for Jazz Fest this year. “I’m excited to be working for him and to see what the 50th (Jazz Fest) comes out to be.”
When he was working in the UI Events Services department, Mayhugh would talk about events as early as four or five months in advance, said Artemio Ambriz of University Support Services. Ambriz said he believes a clear focus and vision for one event will show what Mayhugh is capable of achieving.
This year Jazz Fest will feature events from previous years, such as music competitions.
“One of the main reasons there was high participation was high schools wanted to win a trophy,” Ambriz said.
Attendance for the festival has declined over the past few years, Ambriz said.
Ambriz said he and other staff hope this problem will be solved by bringing the competitive aspect of the event back. Students who visit for Jazz Fest will also have the option to participate in educational workshops that take place throughout the festival.
Jazz Fest will also collaborate with the Lionel Hampton School of Music this year, which Pleskoff said will give them access to more resources than they had before. These resources, he said, could bring in more student involvement and participation, adding yet another layer of creative outlets for those attending UI.
“(Jazz Fest this year will be) one of the best that has ever been,” Pleskoff said. “We are planning full speed ahead.”
Lizzy Diana
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