Rocky Martin photo by Adam Puma
Jazz Port Townsend Artistic Director
The 2024 Jazz Port Townsend wrapped in July with the announcement of Dawn Clement as incoming artistic director. Clement steps into the shoes of John Clayton, who has spearheaded the program for 20-plus years. This passing of the torch marks a new chapter to the cherished Jazz Port Townsend program, and we know that Clement will shine in this new endeavor. We can’t wait for this next chapter of the jazz continuum! And our heartfelt appreciation to Clayton for his many years of service to jazz education and mentorship.
2025 Jack Straw Artist Support Residency
The Jack Straw Artist Support Residency Program has been assisting artists working creatively with sound since 1994. The opportunity to work in a large professional recording studio with experienced sound engineers is a boon to many artists who may not otherwise be able to afford to produce work in this setting. Artists of every genre and style have been represented, including writers, choreographers, multidisciplinary artists, theatre sound designers, radio producers, filmmakers, visual artists, and musicians and composers of all types. Every year, up to eight artists are awarded twenty hours of studio recording and production time with a Jack Straw engineer. An additional twelve artists receive matching awards for studio time as part of Jack Straw’s Artist Assistance Program. Projects are presented to the public at artist events at Jack Straw and other venues. Artists selected for the 2024 Artist Support Residency include Greg Kramer and Jacqueline Tabor. The deadline to apply for the Artist Support program is Monday, November 25. Learn more at jackstraw.org/programs.
16th Annual Seattle-Kobe Female Jazz Vocalist Audition
The Seattle-Kobe Sister City Association (SKSCA) has announced the return of the Seattle-Kobe Female Jazz Vocalist Audition. SKSCA will select one female high school vocalist and one adult female jazz vocalist from the greater Seattle area to go to Kobe, Japan to perform at the Kobe Shinkaichi Music Street Festival May 9-11, 2025. Applicants must be female high school students (grades 9-12), or female adults aged 18 or older, reside in the greater Seattle area, and be able to represent Seattle in Kobe, Japan. Applications are due September 13. Finalists for the audition will be selected September 27, and they will perform at a live audition at The Triple Door on October 13, which will include the U.S. premiere performance of the 2024 Kobe Jazz Queen Competition, Motomi Iono. For singers interested in the audition, please visit the Seattle-Kobe Sister City Association website at seattlekobe.org.
Camano Island Music and Land Stewardship Festival
Hosted by a coalition of musicians and farmers, head out to the quaint Camano Island September 21-22 for a weekend on a two-acre space, where guests will help weed and till the land, preparing it to plant a fruit orchard, pollinator garden, and greenhouse/lodging space. Guests should plan to bring water, potluck meals, any acoustic instruments, plant or fruit tree starts, compost, mulch, etc. Music will take place throughout, formal and informal performances, and guest speakers presenting throughout the weekend. Their vision is to build community, bridge musician, artist and farming communities, reconnect with and steward land, as well as build ecologically sustainable structures for guests to be able to take shelter, create and educate within group activity and ritual. This event is free and open to all ages! To learn more contact Rocky Martin at rockymartindrums.com.
Seattle Metropolitan Sickle Cell Task Force Sickle Cell Walk
Jazz Night School, with Tim Carey and friends, will be playing at Seward Park for the Sickle Cell Walk on September 7 from 9-11:30am. The Metropolitan Seattle Sickle Cell Task Force is a grassroots community-based organization committed to helping people with sickle cell disease within the local community. All proceeds collected during the event go to support the following programs: Sickle Cell Camp, Adult Retreat, Support Group, and special events. Learn more at seattlesicklecellwalk.org.
Staycation Music Festival
In conjunction with the South Hudson Music Project, Mizz Tish Productions presents the Staycation Music Festival, a Labor Day weekend musical extravaganza at The Royal Room featuring some incredible local all-stars with a different theme each night. R&B Night consists of tributes to both Whitney Houston and Sade with bands Omega and Sheila Kay; Hip-hop Night brings back together a Tribal Productions reunion, with familiar names like Vitamin D and DJ Topspin; and Drum Orbit headlines on Jazz Night. Tickets at theroyalroomseattle.com/events.
Call for Earshot Jazz Writers
Interested in contributing to the Earshot Jazz magazine? Assignments are paid, flexible, and, above all else, fun! Please send a letter of interest and writing sample to editor@earshot.org.
