The Bass Ensemble directed by John Clayton
On the Scene is a series that invites budding and professional jazz photojournalists to share another lens of Seattle’s vibrant jazz scene. Our thanks to Jim Levitt for these contributions from the 2023 Jazz Port Townsend, celebrating Chuck Deardorf’s life and music and the many lives he touched, as depicted in the tributes below of his former colleagues and students. Earshot Jazz is dedicated to amplifying the voices and stories of artists and community members alike. The photos in this series are the photographer’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of Earshot Jazz. Submissions are accepted at tinyurl.com/ejmagazine.