The University of Montana Jazz Program is excited to announce that it will be celebrating the 43rd year of the UM Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival on March 16 & 17 with daytime activities, masterclasses, performances and two days of unbelievable music and jazz education.

The University of Montana Jazz Program and the UM Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival will once again welcome some of the greatest international jazz artists along with over 45 middle school, high school and college jazz combos and jazz bands from across the region to the UM campus to learn the language of jazz.

We are excited to host a phenomenal crew of artists and educators next month including award-winning Caroline Davis (sax) from New York, performer/educator Tina Raymond (drum set) from Los Angeles, Award-winning pianist Reggie Thomas from Chicago, Seattle's Heather Chriscaden (bass), trombonist Phil Ostrander (Minneapolis) and multi-talented Trent Austin (trumpet) from Kansas City.