John Gilbreath photo by Bill Uznay

With this January issue, Earshot Jazz begins its 30th year of publication!  Since December of 1984, we’ve distributed well over one million free copies of this monthly magazine throughout the Seattle area, thoroughly documenting one of the most vibrant jazz scenes in the country. 

Meanwhile, Earshot Jazz has grown from the original one-sheet, bi-monthly newsletter, published, as the masthead said, “out of pocket by Paul deBarros and Gary Bannister,” into a highly effective non-profit jazz-support organization. Consistent with its original mission, the Earshot Jazz organization increases awareness and support for jazz in the community through this magazine, its various educational programs, and artist-support and networking initiatives. Earshot Jazz has also developed into one of the premiere jazz-presenting organizations in America, respected for taking the long view of the art form,  while showcasing Seattle’s important artists alongside the monsters and masters from around the world. 

Thanks to your support and participation, we had a fantastic year in 2013!! Our concerts presented unforgettable work from hundreds of artists this year, while forming new partnerships and reaching record audiences. We’ve also recently inaugurated two new education programs, which will bring jazz to general population school children around interesting new narratives. Feeling the vitality of the jazz scene around us, we can only imagine good things for the future. 

We’ve got some great programing around the corner in 2014! Stay tuned for further details, but mark your calendars for a February 6 concert with Ralph Alessi’s exciting Baida Quartet, appearing on the heels of their fantastic new ECM release. On February 18th we are proud to present Brian Blade’s Fellowship band, which recently completed a run of sold out concerts at New York’s legendary Village Vanguard, about which critics and concertgoers are still talking. 

In addition to new education and concert opportunities, Earshot Jazz also has some organizational enhancements coming up that will help us better serve the artists, educators, and audiences of our community.  We hope you’ll continue to be involved. Please join Earshot Jazz now!!

Happy New Year!!

John Gilbreath, Executive Director