Jahnvi Madan photo courtesy of the artist
Jahnvi Madan has been playing clarinet for over a decade. Equal parts passion for playing her instrument and equal parts creating community through jazz, Madan is the total package. What completes her is her willingness to challenge and, wonder and experiment.
Madan was faced with a tough question after moving back to Seattle: is this the place to continue a music career post-grad? It seemed like all her peers who graduated from the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) were moving to places like New York City or Los Angeles for amazing music opportunities. When Madan moved back to Washington, she reflected on what she was really missing. “I focused on what is exactly missing. When I found that, I asked myself, ‘How can I bring it here?’”
What the clarinetist noticed as missing was a multidisciplinary art space that presented jazz through a Gen Z lens. Madan was inspired when she came across videos of venues like Tea at Shiloh, a teahouse with a cozy aesthetic, live music, and various soothing drinks. “It just felt like live music in a way that was more catered towards Gen Z,” Madan reminisced.
After receiving a grant from the Office of Arts & Culture to present public programming that activates Pioneer Square, Madan will host the limited but free “Live Jazz Night at King Street Station” on First Thursdays this spring. Madan’s quartet kicked off the first session last month, but there’s still much more in store. On March 6, the Auden Durant Quintet is slated for the stage with Katyrose Jordan, singer for i///u, leading the band. Then, on April 3, Jai Kobi Kaleo’okalani (also known as BLUEs.WEAVE) and the Rissa Allik and Livi McVicker Duo will be performing. ARTS at King Street Station is the top floor gallery space at the historic train station. The cozy interior is in stark contrast to the bustling Amtrak station just a few floors below—moody lighting dances off of the paintings and interactive galleries fill the space.
“Seattle has an incredible history of talented youth in jazz,” said Madan. However, she reflects on how often young artists look towards “music cities” like LA, NYC, and Nashville as the only viable paths to success. “I want to highlight up-and-coming youth musicians or people who haven’t been able to perform under their own name,” said Madan.
At only 23 years old, Madan already has an impressive list of accolades. She presented her world-premiered commission piece at the Earshot Jazz Festival in 2023 and was named Earshot Jazz’s Northwest Emerging Artist of the Year in 2024, is a Foundations educator with Seattle JazzED, recently got news of her arts residency at Seattle Town Hall, and her debut album, Soften, will release this spring.
When asked about the future of her series, Madan is hopeful and brimming with ideas. She is determined to forge a path for youth artists in jazz. “I would love to move towards having bi-monthly jazz performances with some multidisciplinary art aspect that uplifts musicians,” she said. “An ultimate goal would be being able to bring young musicians into Seattle. I have so many friends in places like NYC, LA, and Boston. I want to give them the opportunity to engage with the Seattle jazz scene.” Madan paused and said with a smile, “Well, it’s all a work in progress.”
