Since 1998, Boise State has sponsored and hosted the Gene Harris Jazz Festival, named after the jazz pianist Gene Harris.
Gene Harris retired after a successful jazz career in 1977. Though retired, Harris had an active role in bringing jazz to the Boise community and to Boise State University’s campus. In 1996, he created the Gene Harris Scholarship Endowment to help budding jazz musicians further their education at Boise State. Because of Harris’ eagerness to inspire and bring together young and old lovers of jazz, he and Boise State collaborated to create the Gene Harris Jazz Festival.
The festival began in 1998 and was a popular event. Attendance continued to grow and in 2000, 10,000 people attended. Boise State not only helps host the event, but many departments are sponsors, including: Boise State University Radio Underwriting, Alumni Association, Bookstore, and Boise State Foundation. All proceeds are transferred to the Gene Harris Scholarship Endowment.
Boise State University opens the festival to junior high and high school music students to attend competitions, have student clinics, and provides workshops with guest musicians to further inspire music among those who intend the festival.
Gene Harris died in Boise, Idaho on January 16, 2000 of kidney failure. He was only able to attend 2 years of his namesake festival.
Stay updated with the event date, artists list, and schedule for the Gene Harris Jazz Festival.
Sources:
University Archives, RG 216.2
Written by:
Annika Severts, spring 2018 intern