Tickets $10-50

Presented in partnership with the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra

Ellington’s wonderful “Sacred Music” is both serious and swinging. It is a reverent and hip body of jazz composition, written late in his career, for jazz big band, vocal and instrumental soloists, and tap dancers.

For the past 30+ years Earshot Jazz and Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra have partnered to present an annual concert of Ellington’s Sacred Music. The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, led by Artistic Director Michael Brockman (who co-founded SRJO alongside Clarence Acox Jr.), features the 17-piece big band with trumpeters: Jay Thomas, Nathan Breedlove, Michael Van Bebber, and Andy Omdahl; trombonists: Dan Marcus, Scott Brown, Bill Anthony, and David Bentley, and saxophonists: Mark Taylor, Dan Wickham, Travis Ranney, Kate Olson, and Alex Dugdale.  Rhythm includes Randy Halbertstadt (piano), Brian Kirk (drums), and Phil Sparks (bass). This year’s vocal soloists are Stephen Newby (baritone voice) and Nichol Veneé Eskridge (alto voice). Also featuring a choral ensemble combining members of the Northwest Chamber Chorus (Jeremy Edelstein, director) along with Music Director, Vanessa Bruce and vocalists. Cipher Goings will return to the stage as the tap dancer. A local artist raised in the Central District, Cipher Goings has appeared recently on So You Think You Can Dance, and on the stage in the Charles Dickens’ inspired production Spirited.

Cipher Goings photo by Jim Levitt

Note about the Video on Demand (VOD) 
At the time of a Video on Demand (VOD) ticket purchase, you will receive a confirmation email with a url link to access the concert stream. You may watch this video until January 10th 2025, 10PM PST.

This concert was recorded on December 28th 2024 at Town Hall Seattle, Great Hall.

Please note, livestream ticket-holders will be able to access the concert as a “video on demand” with the same link in their purchase or reminder emails.

 The SRJO and choirs in 2019, photo by Jim Levitt