John Gilbreath photo by Bill Uznay
We have got an absolutely phenomenal jazz festival in progress right now. The musical experience has been incredible overall, and each concert has been remarkable in distinct and satisfying ways. We’ve seen stunning virtuosity, to be sure, but we’ve also witnessed the enormous heart and wide range of human expression that can come through this music. Virtually each night has revealed some new magic within the “sound of surprise” that is jazz in the present tense. And we haven’t even hit the home stretch yet.
The Earshot Jazz Festival swings into November with music that honors the cornerstones of Seattle’s jazz history and celebrates the vibrancy of our scene, today and tomorrow. We’ll bring jazz legends into contact with resident artists and audiences, and present exciting Seattle artists and student ensembles in the context of this internationally respected festival. Plus, on November 6, we’ll saturate the city with saxophones! This festival is fun! Check the following pages for details.
Among the many exciting events coming up, we invite you to join us at EMP on November 2 to congratulate the artists of Industrial Revelation for their recent win of the Stranger Genius Award. Their eagerly anticipated EMP concert will be filmed as part of the polished Icons Among Us: Jazz in the Present Tense documentary series. The evening will also unveil a new group from New York/Seattle transplant Ted Poor, on drums, alongside Pete Rende on synths, and UW jazz mentor and provocateur Cuong Vu, on trumpet and electronics.
Jazz is embraced and performed all around the world, but the Earshot Jazz Festival is quintessentially Seattle. We are an arts organization, dedicated to the ever-expanding heritage of America’s great gift to world culture. It is thanks to your support that we can challenge and charm our home community year after year with a distinctive festival event like this. Thank you!
Stay tuned to these pages for exciting ways that you can join us on our year-end campaign to support the world of jazz right here in Seattle. Join us!
– John Gilbreath, Executive Director
