
Seattle is home to one of the most vibrant jazz scenes in the country – but you already know that. Here at Earshot, we are absolutely jazzed to unveil another exciting festival of events comprising what DownBeat magazine has called, “Seattle’s most important annual jazz event,” and the Seattle Times has named “…one of the best jazz festivals in America.”
DownBeat also likes that “Earshot brings … adventurous voices, both near and far, to mix and match with the national acts. Every year, the Earshot Jazz Festival disrupts assumptions, gets in your face and finds fresh synergies.” This year we’re getting back in your face with synergistic “Masters, Monsters, and Mentors” of jazz. We are honoring some of the uncompromising creative groundbreakers who have helped shape the jazz of today, and we’re showcasing many of today’s creative artists, both near and far, who continue to move this fascinating music forward. And, as always, we are helping to define the paths and expand the possibilities for today’s emerging artists and jazz students.
This year’s festival includes some seldom seen jazz legends, fascinating international artists, student ensembles playing main-stage concerts, main-stage concerts by some of today’s top artists, showcases of Seattle jazz composers, pop-up saxophone concerts to celebrate Adolphe Sax, creative collaborations, educational workshops, rare and wonderful jazz films, lots of hometown heroes, and a headline concert by the great Pharoah Sanders!
We’re going to kick this whole thing off with some big fun. Our opening 10/10 birthday celebration for Thelonious Monk, at Town Hall, features more than 20 fine Seattle jazz artists in a remarkable program that clearly demonstrates both the breadth and excellence of our respected jazz community. And, there will be cake! You have got to join us for this one!
Earshot Jazz is proud to be a valued part of Seattle’s vibrant cultural community. Within this city’s world-renowned music scene exists a treasured jazz sensibility that draws international attention. In the context of that vibrancy, Earshot produces one of the most distinctive jazz festivals in the country, enriching this community with one-of-a-kind concerts by some of the world’s most important artists, and presenting Seattle artists in a world-class festival setting.
The non-profit Earshot Jazz organization presents nearly 100 events throughout the year, and collaborates on many other initiatives, like the Art of Jazz at the Seattle Art Museum, the Bellevue Jazz Festival, and others. We publish the 30-year-old Earshot Jazz newsletter each month, work to provide educational opportunities and advancements to the field, and present the Golden Ear Awards program each year to recognize the achievements of Seattle’s jazz artists.
All of our work thrives on quality, creative collaborations with individuals and organizations. We are grateful to our kind collaborators: Cornish College of the Arts, the Chapel Performance Space, EMP Museum, the Triple Door, Town Hall Seattle, Northwest Film Forum, and the Royal Room, among others, for their commitment to jazz and enthusiastic welcome of the Earshot Festival. Special thanks to our dedicated supporters and major funders, and our huge love to George Heidorn for his valuable support over the years.
Enjoy the festival! Keep in touch and give us your feedback. Oh, and drop a donation in the kitty. Let’s keep jazz alive and thriving in Seattle!
– John Gilbreath, Executive Director