July 20, 2004

Hy Kloc Named Gene Harris Jazz Festival Executive Director

Hy Kloc, director of corporate sponsorship and marketing for Boise State Radio, has been named the executive director of the Gene Harris Jazz Festival.  Along with executive producer Brad Peters and creative director Janie Harris, Kloc will be in charge of running and coordinating the annual event, which is named in honor of the late jazz piano great Gene Harris who resided in Boise the last 23 years of his life. Kloc was appointed to the position by Boise State University President Bob Kustra. He replaces John Franden, who retired from Boise State this spring. “Hy brings a wealth of experience to the position of executive director of the Gene Harris Jazz Festival,” said Kustra. “His knowledge in the areas of fund-raising and marketing and his many connections throughout the city of Boise will no doubt be a major asset to the event.” Kloc said he is committed to the continued success of the festival. “The Gene Harris Jazz Festival is one of the signature events for Boise State and the city of Boise, with a solid track record of seven years of great performances,” said Kloc. “I look forward to building on that tradition and working with Janie Harris, Brad Peters and the many loyal community volunteers who give of their time to the festival committee to make this a world-class event.” Kloc has extensive experience in corporate sponsorship and marketing, working for public television and public radio stations in Detroit before joining BSU Radio in 2001. Before working in Detroit he served as the executive director of the Chicago chapter of the Recording Academy where he was responsible for events including the Grammy’s, In the Schools at DePaul University, Chicago’s Multi-Ethnic Concert at the Cultural Center and Chicago’s Street Musician Festival. Kloc also served in various marketing and fund-raising positions during his 10 years with the City Colleges of Chicago. “Hy is an extraordinary man with a huge heart and equally huge knowledge of jazz and jazz marketing,” said Janie Harris, wife of the late jazz piano great. “I am thrilled that he has been appointed as the new director of the Gene Harris Jazz Festival.” Now in its eighth year, the Gene Harris Jazz Festival was started in 1998 by BSU and brings world-famous jazz musicians to Boise for three nights of concerts and two days of student clinics. Gene Harris Jazz Festival proceeds benefit music scholarships at Boise State. -30- Contact Hy Kloc Boise State Radio 426-3663 Media contact Sherry Squires communications and marketing 426-1563