John Gilbreath photo by Daniel Sheehan

After a celebrated career that spans more than three decades at Earshot Jazz, friends, family, and community share their fondest memories and well wishes for John Gilbreath as he retires from his role as executive director.

John, Thanks for the gift of your dedication to educate and stimulate Seattle and the world with sounds of inspiration and joy!

Terry Morgan

Congratulations and wishing you a long and happy retirement. Thank you for your tireless support and promotion of this great music.

Jane Bunnett

Thank you for your 30+ years of dedication to the PNW Jazz! Thank you for your support of Jazz in Pierce County!

Robert Deehan, “Jazz on J Street”

I had the pleasure to work with John Gilbreath several times and he is simply outstanding. Constantly supporting the music & musicians. Still remember the super fun lunch we had last year. One of the best!

Lucian Ban

Congratulations John! I remember when you first arrived … you’ve grown so much over the years and did tremendous work!!! Thank you for the support and friendship. Moving forward enjoy enjoy enjoy!!!

Michael Bisio

John Gilbreath is a true friend, a leader in the field, a highly valued colleague… and an original exemplary member of the old Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest National Jazz Network. Looking forward to your next chapter my friend!

Willard Jenkins

Thank you for everything you’ve brought to the Seattle music scene, your work at Earshot, and all your amazing radio work, John!

Ben Brandow

Extraordinary life’s work, John Gilbreath! Your championship of jazz and art is inspiring! Keep swinging!

Tom Mara

John Gilbreath you have left such an I’ve had the honor of knowing John since 1993, when I first attended the Earshot Jazz Festival. Year after year, he curated an exceptional festival, introducing me to incredible new artists and expanding my appreciation for jazz. I was also privileged to serve on the Earshot board alongside John for four years, where he consistently demonstrated his professionalism, openly sharing insights and listening thoughtfully to our feedback. Thank you, John, for all you’ve done to present and celebrate this vibrant Black American music. Wishing you all the best in your well-deserved retirement!

Gus Cardoso

I had the pleasure of working with John Gilbreath way back in the late ‘90s, as his ad rep at Seattle Weekly. Loved getting to know him while we proofed ads, he was always one of my favorite calls. What an asset to our region! Enjoy retirement John, thank you for all the good you’ve done!!!

Kerri Harrop

You are treasure, sir. We have benefited so much from your passion for this music and your “servant king” attitude towards the work (and it is *work*) of bringing jazz to the people. Thank you, bless you, and best wishes for whatever’s next.

Steven Crozier

You’re a legend John. So many of the most memorable shows I’ve seen have been booked under your leadership. Your ear was a service to all the jazz lovers here in Seattle.

Peter Graham

We’ve been blessed to have you at the helm. Thank you!

Heather Ward Studios

Such bittersweet news…… but happy for you and so honored to know you. Thanks for all you have done for the music scene here in Seattle! And just wondering…. what’s next?

Diane Soller

Everyone who attended the Earshot Festival this year witnessed at each concert an open-hearted outpouring of love and thanks to John for his service to the Seattle music community, and to the greater jazz world. John, you understand the essential human need for music and art, for jazz in particular; and the need to keep jazz alive as a crowning glory of American music. We are blessed to have had John’s leadership of Earshot for this long run. Thank you always!

Susan Jenkins, SRJO Board member

Congrats dear John! 

Pat Gilbreath

I never knew where I would bump into John (Jazz sets, the Seattle Symphony, Bumbershoot…), but it would always be where the music was outstanding! John was always looking for the cutting edge of music. He scoured the world to find the highest quality and most innovative music to Earshot and broaden our sensibilities. John did for the Seattle Jazz scene what Speight Jenkins did for our opera.

Don Gunderson

Amazing legacy in our community in terms of supporting the talent we have here locally and also introducing new talent from afar. Who listened to Tinariwen before you brought them all those years ago. Seriously one of my best memories was the year I got to work with you on the festival, and met so many wonderful musicians like Kenny Wheeler, Kenny Werner, Ray Anderson, and so many more. Thank you thank you thank you for your incredible contribution. Hope to still run into you at things!

David Armitage

Most organizations that grow and thrive are often the result of a committed core of enthusiasts/passionate fanatics and Earshot is one of them. Through the tireless efforts and example of John Gilbreath, and a small group of colleagues, Earshot Jazz has developed into one of the most respected jazz festivals in the world. We have been blessed to be exposed to luminaries of the jazz pantheon, as well as nascent stars who have helped expand what we have come to know as jazz. Seeing someone like Bill Frisell and The Intercontinentals transport us around the world sonically in the course of one song (with African gourds, a lute, pedal steel, bluesy guitar) was a revelation. John, thank you for making my life more vibrant and exposing me to a musical palette beyond my wildest dreams. You have allowed many of us to come out of the circle of time and dwell in the circle of love. In gratitude, Your brother by choice,

Joseph Zohn

Thanks for all you’ve done John—you’ve made a lot of great music happen, from composition to performance

Bill Anschell

Over many years, John has become the face of Earshot and the Earshot Jazz Festival. He has probably emceed more shows than he can remember and he has become very comfortable onstage. That wasn’t always the case. I used to do photography for Earshot Jazz and was called to a show at the Paramount Theatre (Milton Nascimento) to photograph John with then mayor of Seattle, Norm Rice (I think), who had declared Earshot Jazz Day in the city. I had never seen John so nervous. He looked like a deer in the headlights. Who knew that he would become the consummate professional face and voice of Earshot Jazz for so many years? I don’t think John himself knew in that moment.

Steve Robinson