Students from 27 middle and high schools in North Idaho and eastern Washington will jazz it up next week in Coeur d'Alene.

North Idaho College will host its annual JazzNIC festival from Monday through Wednesday. The festival will offer a series of jazz clinics for the young students, and a special concert Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Art Center.

The concert will feature the NIC Jazz Ensemble directed by NIC instructor Terry Jones and special guests. It is free and open to the public.

Songs will include Buddy Rich's "Greasin' the Skids"; Judy Collins' ballad "Both Sides Now," featuring University of Idaho professor Dan Bukvich on vibes, University of Idaho professor and band conductor Al Gemberling on trombone, and Whitman College professor Gary Gemberling on trumpet; the traditional, iconic "Old Man River"; "Samba de Orfeu" featuring Bukvich on vibes; "Missing You," by Washington State University jazz professor Greg Yasinitsky and featuring Al Gemberling on trombone; "Open Invitation," arranged by Darmon Meader - a member of New York Voices - featuring Gary Gemberling on flugelhorn; "Emily," featuring Al Gemberling on trombone; "Smack Dab In The Middle," arranged by Thad Jones, a classic, New York-style big band writer, and featuring Gary Gemberling on vocals; "Laura," featuring Bukvich on vibes; "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise;" and "Drum Feature," arranged by Tom Anderson.

The area school band members will perform for the special guest clinicians - some of the Northwest's finest musicians - during the three-day event. The public is welcome to watch performances by the visiting middle and high school groups, which will perform every hour on the hour beginning at 8 a.m. Monday through Wednesday in Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center.

Clinicians include: Bukvich, who is an internationally-known composer whose works have been performed at the Lincoln Center and the Vatican; Al Gemberling, who will provide feedback to students on the trombone; and Gary Gemberling, who will offer instruction on trumpet and vocals. Gary is active with the Idaho Music Educators Association and is an acclaimed performer, including performing as a soloist with the Spokane Symphony.

The JazzNIC concert and clinics are sponsored by the Associated Students of NIC. The NIC Jazz Ensemble is a collection of jazzers from all over the area. They get together once a week to explore the diversity in big band music. From the swing music of Duke Ellington and Count Basie though the innovations of Stan Kenton to the contemporary works of Pat Metheny and Radiohead, nothing is off limits for this group.