Golden Ear Awards Program

Each year the Golden Ear Awards program provides an opportunity for Seattle jazz fans and performers to celebrate the region's jazz accomplishments of the previous year. Earshot Jazz initiated the Golden Ear Awards in 1990 to recognize the accomplishments of Seattle jazz artists over the previous year, and to induct significant members of the jazz community into the local Jazz Hall of Fame. Over the years, the award categories have shifted slighty, but the essence of the process has remained the same.

The Nomination and Ballot Process

Earshot asks a select list of King County jazz fans, artists, journalists, and industry professionals to help in a nominating process. The nominations included on the final voter ballot are drawn from a consensus of the suggestions Earshot receives. The final ballots consider work accomplished in the previous calender year and are intended to recognize and reward astists and ensembles whose work for the prior year stands out as exemplary. Ballot write-in votes are also accepted.

The Seatle Jazz Hall of Fame