Jazz Fest 2024 Schedule and Policies

The Mt. Hood Jazz Festival, presented by Conn-Selmer, is a three-day immersion into the jazz culture. It includes professional performances by world-renowned artists as well as a large competitive festival for high school and middle school jazz ensembles. The festival is held on the campus of Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon. Attendees can experience the music, vendors, food, and culture of the area.

Email questions to Dan Davey, MHCC director of jazz studies

Visit the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival online store

Performance and Competition Schedule

Friday, May 3, 2024

• Hailey Niswanger's Masterclass runs from noon - 1 p.m. in the college theatre.
• Adjudicators for Friday performances are Bend Midler and Vanessa Sielert.
• Warm-up rooms are available to you for 30 minutes before your performance. All warm-ups on Friday are in Band Room AC2102.
• All performances on Friday are in the college theatre.

Saturday, May 4, 2024

• Adjudicators for Saturday performances are Paul Mazzio, Ben Medler, Richard Tippets, Susie Jones, David Parker, Vanessa Sielert, and Don Norton.
• High School Combos perform in Rooms AC1519/1520. 
• Divisions III and IV perform in the jazz cafe. 
• Division II performs in the student union. 
• Division I performs in the visual arts theatre.

Masterclasses and Additional Performances

On Saturday, May 4, 2024, there are also a variety of masterclasses and performances at MHCC!

• Masterclass with Camille Thurman, 11 - 11:50 a.m., Room AC2138
• The Steve Spiegl Big Band performs in the College Theatre from noon - 1 p.m.
• Masterclass with Tim Rap, 1 - 1:50 p.m., Room AC2138
• Performance by Camille Thurman, 2 - 3 p.m., MHCC College Theatre
• Masterclass with John Nastos, 3 - 3:50 p.m., Room AC2138
• Performance by Etienne Charles and Creole Soul, 4 - 5 p.m., MHCC College Theatre
• MHCC Jazz Ensemble with John Nastos and Awards Ceremony is from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
• Joshua Redman Group featuring Gabrielle Cavassa "Where are We" Tour starts at 7:30 p.m.
  

Sunday May 5, 2024

Sunday will feature professional performances held in local venues in Gresham. We encourage all festival participants to head out into the community and enjoy word-class performances!

Jazz Fest 2024 Program Policies

The Gresham campus of Mt. Hood Community College welcomes guests to travel to us by TriMet, a Silver Sponsor of the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival. There is ample parking onsite.

The professional concerts are held in the MHCC College Theatre on Friday and Saturday of the festival. Enter the campus through Entrances D or D on Kane Road and 257th Avenue. Unmarked spots in lots C, D, E, F, or G are available.

View the MHCC Gresham Campus map

"Doors Open" Time

Doors are open to the public no earlier than 30 minutes before a performance.

Food and Beverage Policies

No food or beverages are allowed in the College Theatre. On Saturday, food trucks will be available on campus for purchase. No alcohol may be brought into the campus. Alcohol and containers will be disposed of before entry and not returned. Every person who enters is subject to search by security personnel.

For Your Security

Every person is subject to a security search. Security reserves the right to refuse entry to the festival. The Mt. Hood Jazz Festival works with the public safety officers of Mt. Hood Community College as well as the Gresham Police Department to ensure the safety of our patrons.

The following are prohibited:

• Firearms
• Food, coolers, glass bottles, containers, or alcoholic beverages
• Marijuana products
• Camera or cameras with detachable lenses of any size
• Flash for photos, tripods, monopods, laser pens, or laser lights
• Audio or video recording devices
• Pets (support animals are allowed)
• All cell phone ringers must be turned off during performances

Security may confiscate items, or have you remove items from the festival. Do bring your printed or electronic ticket, personal items, and medications.

First Aid

MHCC Public Safety addresses all medical first aid needs and incidents on campus. They are available by calling 503-491-7310 for non-emergencies and 503-491-7911 to report any crime, medical emergencies, suspicious activity, or traffic collisions on campus.

MHCC Public Safety

While Inside the Festival

Please be courteous to fellow fans and musicians during performances and:

• Silence your cell phones.
• Do not use flash photography or record video with your phone or other device.
• Be mindful of the volume of conversations.
• Do not block the view of other audience members.
• Actively listen to performances.

No Smoking Policy

Smoking and vaping are not permitted on college grounds.

People With Disabilities

MHCC is an EEO, Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, Title II, Section 504, ADA, ORS 659A Institution. People requiring accommodations due to a disability should email the festival at [email protected]. Please call at least two weeks prior to the event.

A limited amount of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) parking spaces are available. Parking is first-come, first-served basis.

Liability Limitation

All persons in attendance at any Mt. Hood Jazz Festival event voluntarily assume all risks and danger incidental to the event whether occurring prior to, during or after same, including, but not limited to, contracting, and/or spreading the COVID-19 virus, and agree that the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival, Mt. Hood Community College, Mt. Hood Community College Foundation, the event venue, performing artists, and the aforementioned entities employees, officers, directors, members, contractors and authorized agents are not responsible or liable for any injuries, sickness or death resulting from such causes.

All persons in attendance at any Mt. Hood Jazz Festival event acknowledge that COVID-19 remains a threat to individual and public health, COVID-19 is a contagious disease transmitted through human contact and respiratory droplets (including through the air and via common surfaces) and it is possible that the person may contract COVID-19 while at the event.

This Liability Limitation extends to all attendee’s heirs, personal representatives and/or assigns.

Refunds

The Mt. Hood Jazz Festival has a no-refund policy and all sales are nonrefundable. We will not be accepting donated-back tickets in 2024.