History

Since its inception in 1977, the DeMiero Jazz Festival has taken on several names while always staying true to its mission and vision. The festival was initially known as the Soundsation Jazz Festival and it was produced by student leaders in Soundsation and founder/director Frank DeMiero. It later became known as the Lynnwood Jazz Festival when the city of Lynnwood became the primary naming sponsor. Later, the festival was dubbed the Edmonds Community College Jazz Festival. In 2005, The Friends of Frank DeMiero began co-hosting the festival and for the past several years the festival has simply been named the DeMiero Jazz Fest. To avoid confusion, in 2014 the organization became officially known as the "DeMiero Jazz Festival" and our annual event remains titled the "DeMiero Jazz Fest".

In the mid 70s Frank and two other Jazz Choir directors met and shared what they would like to see in an educational, non-competitive Jazz Choir Festival where all participants are winners. At the time all major jazz festivals were competitive. There were strict rules at these festivals: a limited and specific number of singers, the number of rhythm section members, the length of performance time and more.  And, of course, there was only one first place winner, with everyone else going home in the losers bracket.

But here at the DeMiero Jazz Fest, we believe that everyone should have the chance to dig — and be dug in return.