Preston Singletary’s Khu.éex’/ Mo’s Jamily Band feat. Estro Fiesta

Wednesday, October 18
8:30 pm PDT
Nectar
In-person* 21+
Tickets Sold by Nectar

FIRST SET: KHU.EEX’ at 8:30PM

Sponsored by Homestreet Bank. Welcomed by KEXP.

Khu.éex’ is an Indigenous band full of creative members, including storytellers, activists and artists, that bring this collective energy to the stage as one powerful unit. Their focus is raising awareness of social issues, stemming from the Native American struggle, that branch out to serious issues that effect all people. Beginning in 2013 as a recording event after a chance meeting between Bernie Worrell and Preston Singletary, the founders gathered together other local artists and recorded an album together under the direction of Randall Dunn. Moving forward the group continued to record and also to perform. Khu.éex’ (pronounced koo-eex) translates to “Potlatch” in the Tlingit language. Tlingits are a Native group from southeast Alaska. Preston Singletary thought of the name Khu.éex’ to express the notion of sharing culture, stories, and music.

The ensemble members have changed over the years, with the founding member Bernie Worrell passing in 2016. The current lineup includes Preston Singletary (bass, vocals), Captain Raab (guitar/vocals), Edward Littlefield (drums), Denny Stern (percussion), Tim Kennedy (piano), Jason Cressey (trombone), Gordon Brown (saxophone), Gene Tagaban (vocals/flute/hand drum), Sondra Segundo (vocals/hand drum), and Airjazz. The band explores jazz and funk/rock with an improvisational style. The fusion of these styles with spoken word in English, Tlingit, Haida and Y’upic languages is unique. Khu.éex’ strives to preserve these native languages though their music. This merging of different cultures has produced a new and unique sound. Performance art, using traditional masks and regalia accent the dynamic live performances.

Khu.éex’ plans to release three new albums this year. The first album is titled, Siyáadlan (the Haida word for Seattle), the second is as yet untitled and the third is a soundtrack to the documentary “Khu.éex’: The Magic of Noise.” Preston Singletary and Khu.éex’ have launched an Indiegogo to offset the costs of these albums

Shaina Shepherd photo by Jeffrey Martin

SECOND SET: MO’S JAMILY BAND feat. ESTRO FIESTA at 10:00PM (approximate time)

Debuting in the closing set is Mo’s Jamily Band featuring Estro Fiesta—the ensemble will be comprised of female/non-binary Mo’ Jamily All-Stars. The band is a presentation of Mo’Jam All-Stars, which is an organization envisioned by Mo’ Gilkeson (Morgan Gilkeson). Gilkeson co-creates a space where musicians from diverse backgrounds can come together, collaborate, and create magic through the universal language of music. Gilkeson has been instrumental in presenting weekly jams at Nectar Lounge, every Monday since 2013. Ensemble members are Marina Albero (keys), Marina Christopher (bass), Celeste Sloan (guitar,) Morgan Gilkeson (drums), Kate Olson (saxophone), Hannah Mowry, (trumpet,) Shaina Shepherd (vocals), and special guest on trombone.

This is a 21+ event

* Earshot Jazz COVID-19 Policy: Earshot recommends that all ticket holders be vaccinated.  Full COVID policy here.

Khu.éex’photo by Dave McGraw