The Jazz: The Second Century series has always been about exploring the fundamental question: “One-hundred years into the art-form, what sonic shape does jazz take in its second century?” This question has never felt more relevant—or urgent—during these times of physical distancing, where musicians are being forced to explore new and innovative ways to develop and present their art.
Things are a little different in this edition of the Jazz: The Second Century series. Working with the Racer Sessions team, we’ve adapted the format from a live concert to a pre-recorded audio or video performance, which will be presented as two watch parties. Jazz: The Second Century is the continuation of Earshot’s first programming initiative. 2020 marks the first time the series is presented as part of the Earshot Jazz Festival.
Night One: Wednesday, October 21, 7pm
Free, details at earshot.org
Leanna Keith
Leanna Keith is a flutist, composer, and improviser. This piece (untitled) is largely a response to performance in isolation. Keith’s practice is one of listening, which has obvious implications in a band setting, but far less obvious in practice when alone in a room.
Josh Hou
In the months since quarantine began, Hou has discovered remote recording as a powerful way to create music as well as maintain and build community. This is a video of a Chinese concerto, reharmonized and rearranged for jazz trio featuring Sara Heng, a guzheng player from Kuala Lumpu, all recorded in seperate locatsions.
Melanie Sehman & Sarah Yates
Combining two strikingly different musical backgrounds, Melanie Sehman (drums, percussion) and Sarah Yates (double bass) form an improvising duo that approaches jazz as an exploration of the common ground between their diverse musical languages.
Francesco Crosara
Crosara’s personal brand of jazz has become more focused in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it reflects the collective anxiety of the moment while providing greater introspection in the purpose of music as a powerful source of comfort and escape.
Night Two: Wednesday, October 28, 7pm
free, details at earshot.org
CHA
CHA is an iconoclastic trio of classically trained artists who’ve crossed into the world of free improvisation. Carol J Levin, Heather Bentley, and Amelia Love Clearheart are regular participants in Seattle’s dynamic creative music scene, joining forces to make a bold and unique statement.
Ray Larsen
Ray Larsen is a Seattle-based trumpeter and composer. known for his spirited sound and inventive writing. This music searches. A single line, grasping and imploding and forming into something else. A stream of consciousness with a future to find.
EarthtoneSkytone
EarthtoneSkytone is the duo project from Kelsey Mines (bass, vocals) and Carlos Snaider (guitar, vocals). This new music, recorded from the artists’ homes, speaks to grounding, resilience, and change.
Rae
Rae is a trio led by Abbey Blackwell (bass) featuring Ronan Delisle (guitar) and Evan Woodle (drums). Their project offers lyrical tunes with sometimes jarring harmonies that complement each other, offering relatable melodies with an avant-garde undercurrent. The group’s sound has been called “The New Cool” by some, as they weave together grooves and free form improvisation in a focused yet laid back way.