Olympic College and the Music Discovery Center will once again bring scholastic jazz to downtown Bremerton.

On February 5th & 6th, 2026, the Music Discovery Center of Bremerton and Olympic College are proud to present the 2nd Annual Quincy Square Jazz Festival. With his discovery of music in Bremerton, Quincy Jones went on to be one of the most celebrated performers, producers, and promoters of Jazz and modern music in American history. From Bebop to Pop to Hip hop, Quincy has been on the forefront of musical innovation his entire career and the city of Bremerton is proud to honor him with Quincy Square, a brand new music promenade in downtown Bremerton on 4th Street.

This year, the Quincy Square Jazz Festival is expanding to welcome instrumental and vocal jazz ensembles from across the state to join us in a day of competition, education, and celebration. We’ll kick off on Thursday, February 5th with middle school jazz bands competing at Olympic College. On Friday, February 6th, we’ll switch to high school jazz bands at Olympic College and high school vocal jazz ensembles at Bremerton High School. The top three jazz bands and the top three vocal jazz ensembles will be invited to perform at the Quincy Square Jazz Gala on Friday evening, February 6th at the historic Roxy Theatre.

Our panel of skilled adjudicators will score and place ensembles and follow up with a clinic to mentor musicians. Each group will have professional sound and video recording provided at the conclusion of the festival.
Registration is open now and limited to 20 ensembles in each of the three categories. Spots are likely to fill fast!

Quincy Jones 

As a child, Quincy Jones lived in Bremerton, Washington.  One day, after sneaking into the local community center in search of pie, Quincy found himself drawn to the piano.  After touching the keys, Quincy said “Every cell in my body said this is what you’re going to do the rest of your life. “  Over his 8 decade career Quincy went on to be one of the most successful producers, composers, conductors, arrangers, and musicians in contemporary music ranging from jazz to hip hop. 

Ralph Mutchler & OC Jazz Festival 

The Olympic College Jazz Festival ran from 1960 to 1974 and, under the leadership of Ralph Mutchler, grew to be the largest and most significant jazz festival in the state featuring as many as 80 high school jazz bands from around the country.  Ralph’s connections in the jazz world were a who’s who of the greats.  Over the years, adjudicators and guest performers included, Buddy DeFranco, Johnny Smith, Doc Severson, Quincy Jones, Gary Burton, Lou Marini, Dick Grove, Buddy Baker, and Stan Kenton.   

raleigh mcvicker

Raleigh S. McVicker was a leading force in Bremerton’s musical life for nearly 30 years. After studies at Lewis & Clark College and the Eastman School of Music, he joined Olympic College in 1960, directing choirs and teaching theory, organ, and voice until 1987. He built the Collegians into a respected vocal pop/jazz group and elevated OC’s regional profile. A dedicated community musician, he played over 2,000 organ services and led the Bremerton Symphony Chorus in major works. His impact earned him OC’s first Faculty Recognition Award and Hall of Fame induction.