Marina Albero, Kelsey Mines, Hannah Mowry, Jessica Lurie, and D’Vonne Lewis. Photo by Jim Levitt.
“People who have taken the time to investigate jazz, they like it for their whole lives.” —Kamasi Washington
Alongside usual mainstays, this installment of Jazz For All Ages highlights local organizations whose doors are open to jazz enthusiasts of all generations.
VENUES
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley
2033 6th Avenue
jazzalley.com
Seen as considered Seattle’s premier jazz club, Jazz Alley has been a family-owned operation for more than 40 years, in the heart of an ever-changing downtown. Jazz Alley presents everything from local to international acts in a dinner theater-style setting. Jazz Alley is all ages, and in most cases, children under 12 are free with an adult. They offer 2 for 1 admission for students with proper ID for the 7:30pm set on Tuesdays, and 9:30pm set on Fridays. Additionally, seniors 65 or better are eligible for a 20% discount on food purchases as well as the Tuesday and Friday 9:30pm sets. Some restrictions apply.
Black & Tan Hall
5608 Rainier Avenue S
blackandtanhall.com
The new Black & Tan Hall could be thought of as a continuation of its historic namesake which originally opened in 1920, with some records showing as early as 1916, along 12th and Jackson. Their website includes its valuable significance to Seattle’s history for those wanting to learn more. Now located in the Hillman City neighborhood, Black & Tan Hall is a cultural center and arts collective space supported by a co-op style group of partners. While offering many musical styles, some events are all ages, others 21+.
Seattle Jazz Fellowship
109 S Main Street
seattlejazzfellowship.org
Founded by trumpeter Thomas Marriott, Seattle Jazz Fellowship is a nomadic non-profit, currently located in Pioneer Square. Regular programming includes a free All Ages Jam Session, Monday nights at 7:30pm. Drummer D’Vonne Lewis hosts an All Ages Jam on the first Sundays of the month. There are no pre-sales for events and seating is first come, first served. $20 suggested donation.
Chapel Performance Space at Good Shepherd Center
4649 Sunnyside Avenue N
waywardmusic.org
This 150-capacity worship space in Wallingford partners with NonSequitur, the music production non-profit, that offers all ages community events. It has become a place for “adventurous and experimental” concerts from classical to jazz improvisation and electronic music. Suggested donations range from $5-20 at the door.
The Royal Room
5000 Rainier Avenue S
theroyalroomseattle.com
All-ages until 10pm, The Royal Room has several ongoing programs including the Royal Room Collective Ensemble, which highlights about 15 local area improvisers under co-founder Wayne Horvitz. The series, Piano Starts Here, features local pianists performing works of a chosen artist and is hosted by Alex Guilbert. The Royal Room also partners with South Hudson Music Project, to present New Music Mondays from 7:30-9pm, focusing on experimental and improvised music. South Hudson Music Project earned non-profit status in 2020 and was “designed to sustain music presentation, education, and community benefit activities of the Royal Room.
Egan’s Ballard Jam House
1707 NW Market Street
ballardjamhouse.com
Club owner Suzanne Weghorst initially opened Egan’s as a space for young jazz musicians to both play and learn with one another. Egan’s is a smaller performance space in Ballard featuring jazz and acoustic music. It is all ages until 11pm. Egan’s presents a first Thursday vocal jam, as well as Jo’s Jam on designated Thursdays, hosted by Joanne Klein for $10. It is all ages until 11pm.
Seattle Jazz Vespers at Seattle First Baptist Church
1111 Harvard Avenue
seattlejazzvespers.org
Going into their 23rd season, Seattle Jazz Vespers is a non-profit organization which offers local jazz in a historic setting on the first Sunday of every month from October to June. Located in First Hill, Seattle First Baptist Church has been in the same community space since 1920. Seattle Jazz Vespers performances are all ages and accepts donations at the door.
Town Hall Seattle
1119 8th Avenue
townhallseattle.org
Town Hall is a cultural hub for civics, arts and science, and educational programs for all of Seattle in the downtown/First Hill area. It is worth mentioning for a regular series, Saturday Family Concerts. This program offers wide ranging music for all ages in another historic building, usually matinee performances and tickets are free for those 22 and under. Many other Town Hall produced events are designated for sliding scale admission.
Couth Buzzard
8310 Greenwood Avenue N
couthbuzzard.com
Since 1988, Couth Buzzard is an established “third place” space in Greenwood with live music, a cafe, and books. Couth Buzzard is all ages with regular occurring events including jazz jams on Sundays and student showcases.
Oxbow Bakery
2307 24th Avenue E
oxbowmontlake.com
Not only a “bright and airy” gathering space with various cafe and baked goods, Oxbow Bakery along Montlake includes Jazz Happy Hour on Fridays from 4-6pm. These happy hours are free and all ages.
VENUES WITH INSTRUCTION
Seattle Drum School at
Georgetown and Lake City locations
seattledrumschool.com
Since 1986, Seattle Drum School has offered all ages and all skill level instruction to most instruments, not solely drums! The Georgetown location houses a performance space, the Lab at 1010, for shows, gatherings, and events. Regular programs include youth music showcases, open mics, and jam sessions.
The Vera Project
305 Harrison Street
theveraproject.org
Located within the Seattle Center campus, the Vera Project has always exuded a DIY attitude and sensibility since 2001. There was a time when the Vera Project was virtually the only place for all ages music and dances to exist. It has become a model for hands-on, volunteer based, youth-led organizations across the country. This non-profit houses a music venue, recording studio, and art gallery. Classes include live and recorded sound, DJ-ing, audio engineering, and event production.
Abbey Arts
4272 Fremont Avenue N
fremontabbey.org
The Fremont Abbey, the Ballard Homestead, and Seattle cathedrals, all fall within the umbrella of Abbey Arts. Since 2005, this all ages venue focuses on local music offering both performance spaces and instruction. Workshops have included wide-ranging disciplines from dance, yoga, meditation, and self defense. Under Arts Connect, this community outreach non-profit program for the Abbey “helps low-income families, non-profit workers and veterans access the arts.”
INSTRUCTION
Seattle JazzED
380 Boren Avenue N
seattlejazzed.org
Seattle JazzED is a non-profit for students in 4th-12th grades and for all skill levels. They offer sliding scale tuition and free instrument loans. Programs include The New Works Ensemble, The Femme Ellington Project, and Summer Jazz Ambassadors. The listing of stellar instructors here is staggering. Friends of the Earshot community will recognize many names and faces in their directory, past and present, including co-founder Clarence Acox, long time musical director at Garfield High School, to trombonist and composer Freddy “Fuego” Gonzalez, who recently world premiered a commission at 2024’s Earshot Jazz Festival. Free learning resources are also available, such as music masterclasses, practice videos, and listening to albums.
The Music Factory
2832 E Arthur Place
musicfactorynw.com
The Music Factory, founded by Ari Joshua, provides lessons for all ages and all levels. It explores many music genres with instruction for guitar, piano, bass, voice, and most wind and string instruments. Located in Madison Valley but also offers online learning.
Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra at Seattle Conservatory of Music
11065 5th Avenue NE, Suite A
syso.org
Seattle Conservatory of Music presents courses for students of all ages and musical backgrounds with a focus on performance and academics. The Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra (SYSO) was founded in 1942 and is considered the largest youth orchestra training program in the US. SYSO pledges to “ensure that every student can participate in their programs regardless of financial resources.”
DANCE INSTRUCTION
Savoy Swing Club
628 11th Avenue E
savoyswing.org
Savoy Swing Club offers an all ages regular practice space in Capitol Hill’s Lowdown Ballroom on Tuesdays from 8:30-10:30pm. It is free for members or $5 for non members. There are different membership levels, including rates for students. Savoy Fridays offers classes and dances from 7:30-11pm, it is free for members or a sliding scale charge of $8-15.
Seattle Swing Dance Club
4736 40th Avenue SW
seattleswingdanceclub.com
Since 1965, Seattle Swing Dance Club (SSDC) “is the longest running Swing dance club” that especially highlights West Coast swing. This venue has regular happenings every first and third Sundays in their West Seattle dance hall space, including free West Coast Swing beginner lessons at 5:30pm. No partner required and memberships are available.
HepCat Productions
704 19th Avenue E
seattleswing.com
HepCat Productions specializes in swing dancing, Lindy Hop, and jazz dance. It hosts the city’s longest running all-ages Swing Dance and is home to the American Lindy Hop Championship performance team, Zah-Zu-Zay. Founded by Chris Chapman, HepCat offers classes for all ages and levels on Capitol Hill. No partner or experience required for beginning classes. And HepCat provides regular free weekly dances while enrolled in most classes.
Salsa Con Todo
211 N 36th Street
salsacontodo.com
Beginning in 2008 from a living room to a current dance space in Fremont, Salsa Con Todo (SCT) specializes in six distinct dance forms, namely Salsa, Bachata, Zouk, Tango, Swing, and Kizomba. SCT offers drop-in classes, workshops, and private lessons. Regular Saturday dances can include live music socials, dance contests, and jazz jams. Most Saturday nights highlight a Lindy Hop drop in class from 8-9pm suitable for beginners. Classes do not require a partner and memberships are available.
Spectrum Dance Theater
800 Lake Washington Boulevard
spectrumdance.org
Founded in 1982, this non-profit may already be known for its professional dance company, led by artistic director Donald Byrd since 2002, located in Madrona. Although primarily a contemporary dance organization, SDT offers diverse instruction for all. Classes can be taken through the School of Spectrum Dance Theater. Various courses are available to all ages from toddlers all the way to seniors.
