Letter From The Director

Seattle Is Now!

It is an annual irony here within Earshot that once summer finally arrives, our organizational mind is so focused on planning for the coming fall that we almost miss the gorgeous weather. But it’s always an exciting cycle for us because we’ve once again cooked up a fascinating fall festival for you. The Earshot Jazz Festival brochure is on the way. Meanwhile, information is available at earshot.org.

Running October 18 to November 3 in venues around the city, this 36th edition of the Earshot Jazz Festival is a compelling survey of the past, present, and future of the dynamic, constantly moving world of jazz. It’s a diverse series of one-of-a-kind concerts, commissions, collaborations, conductions, and creative community connections. As one national magazine once said, “Each year the Earshot Festival … disrupts assumptions, gets in your face and finds fresh synergies.” 

And fresh synergies abound this year. In addition to a stellar lineup of world-class concerts, the festival features several very special and carefully planned projects, that showcase the creative brilliance of Seattle’s artists and demonstrate why our jazz community stands among the best on the planet. 

We’re super excited to reveal Seattle legend, Skerik, as this year’s festival resident artist. This, too, has been a long time coming. Nationally known and widely respected (having appeared on over 200 records!), Skerik will unleash three separate concepts in concerts as a leader and will appear in several additional festival events. 

This year’s commissioned festival artist, Freddy “Fuego” Gonzalez, will world premiere his new work within a week of concerts in partnership with LANGSTON Seattle. The week also includes the new group of native-son trumpeter Riley Mulherkar, along with shows by Seattle hip-hop/jazz/neo soul artists Gabriel Teodros and Day Soul Exquisite, and the D.C. duo BOOMscat. 

We’re also proud to present a major new work by trumpeter Samantha Boshnack, a new group and new recording from Marina Albero, and some exciting new directions from Seattle-area high school jazz programs, including …. wait for it … Garfield Plays Sun Ra!

We’re going to have a ball this fall and can’t wait for you to join us!! There are still sponsorship opportunities available, and we’ll gladly accept your donations in support of this one-of-a-kind festival program. We’re always available to answer questions, help with ticket packages, and support your accessibility needs. We aim to please!!

Once again, tickets and information at earshot.org.  See you soon!

—JOHN GILBREATH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR