Welcome to the 2025 Earshot Jazz Festival
October 10–November 2

Concerts intentionally curated to connect and elevate us.

Year after year, the Earshot festival celebrates Seattle’s place in the world of jazz by featuring performances, premieres, and special projects by Seattle’s esteemed resident artists alongside international masters.

This year’s lineup includes innovative artists, including Christian McBride and Brad Mehldau in a rare duo performance, Brooklyn-based vocalist Arooj Aftab’s fusion of traditional Pakistani music, Sufi poetry, ambient soundscapes, and jazz. The festival also features powerhouse performances from harpist Brandee Younger, vocalist Bilal, and drummer-producer Makaya McCraven. And audiences can see returning favorites Gerald Clayton, Ches Smith, Kris Davis, and Rudresh Mahanthappa.

Photo of Arooj Aftab photo by Partick Gunning.

Celebrate Seattle’s vibrant jazz scene.

Once again, we are so grateful to be able to present a series of special projects highlighting the city’s exceptional talents.

Trumpeter Thomas Marriott takes the spotlight as this year’s Festival Resident Artist, showcasing his versatility across four distinct events throughout the festival. Young composer Roman Goron will premiere his specially commissioned festival piece, while the opening night at the KEXP Gathering Space features an exciting double bill with Kate Olson and Naomi Moon Siegel. The beloved Battle of the Bands returns with Roosevelt and Garfield High School jazz bands facing off once again, and the festival honors local legend Wayne Horvitz with a special birthday celebration concert.

Thomas Marriott photo courtesy of the artist.

Expand your musical horizons.

This year, we have created some once-in-a-lifetime musical experiences for you to enjoy. Get ready to dance, marvel, groove, meditate, and have a whole lot of fun.

This year’s lineup includes the Seattle debut of Miki Yamanaka, Zyanna, Salami Rose Joe Louis, Brass Queens, Ghost-Note, Simon Moullier, and Zohar & Adam. Also experience Earshot @ the clubs, with a new generation of amazing musicians at local clubs, including Alune Wade, Bilal, Evan Captain, Ghost Note, and Kassa Overall. And finally, on the closing night of the festival, we proudly present Freedom First: Albert Marquès with Keith LaMar & Kazemde George in an internationally acclaimed collaboration between a wrongfully imprisoned American artist and international musicians.

Ghost-Note photo courtesy of Arrival Artists.