Jazz: The Second Century Series

July 1, 2020: A Message from Earshot about the 2020 Jazz: The Second Century Series

Dear Artists,

We truly are living in unprecedented times with the global health crisis of COVID-19 and the global civil rights uprising to combat systemic racism. This series has always been about exploring the fundamental question: “One-hundred years into the art-form, what sonic shape does jazz take in its second century?” This question has never felt more relevant—or urgent—during these times of physical distancing, where musicians are being forced to explore new and innovative ways to develop and present their art.

Things are a little different in this edition of the Jazz: The Second Century series. Working with the Racer Sessions team, we’re adapting the format from a live concert to a pre-recorded audio or video performance, which will be presented as a “Watch Party” via our social media streams.

Our submission format is fluid and flexible. Artists are invited to use the tools and technology available to them to create a response to what jazz is right now. Submissions can be in the form of the final product or a sample of what the final product will be. If you do not have access to recording equipment, contact us at 2ndcentury@earshot.org and we’ll work to get you what you need.

The safety of artists is a top priority! Submissions should embrace and follow current health recommendations and movement restrictions in their creative response.

Jazz: The Second Century has always remained true to our core values of cultivating community and supporting the progression of the genre. And at this moment, we need community and art more than ever. Have fun with this project. Push yourself to think outside the box. Take care of each other. Be safe.

We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

–Earshot Team

Call For Artists

Seeking submissions, now through August 31, 2020! Earshot Jazz seeks submissions from Seattle-area individual artists and ensembles for the 2020 Jazz: The Second Century series. The series brings the progression of jazz into creative motion. Projects that question and expand the conventions of the jazz form are welcome.

Seattle-area individual artists or groups are eligible to apply. Submissions must include a recorded sample of a project that can be pre-recorded and presented in a livestream “Watch Party” setting and a written statement between 250–350 words.
Individual artists or ensembles (following current health and safety guidelines) are selected by a blind-jury process. Second Century artists and ensembles present a pre-recorded audio or video performance during October 2020 and are paid a competitive fee for the performance ($125 per artists/contributors up to 8 contributors with additional tip jar promotion available during streaming).

Please send submissions electronically to 2ndcentury@earshot.org by August 31, 2020.

This series–presenting Seattle artists, selected by a peer panel, performing original work–is a continuation of the very first programming initiative of the Earshot Jazz organization, and embodies one of our core values. Earshot’s first concert series, New Jazz/New City, was mounted in the New City Theater, now the Richard Hugo House, on Capitol Hill in 1986. The series has continued each year since: as New Jazz/New City, the Earshot Spring Series, Voice and Vision, and now Jazz: The Second Century.

From the core of this series—a question about the expansion of conventions of jazz—one might expect a tendency to grandiose re-invention. Instead, the series is a current, subtle, perhaps refreshing, un-sentimental look at our Emerald City’s engagement with this diffuse, vibrant art form.
Thanks to the artists, to our panelists, who helped curate these concerts, and to audience members who support them.
A list of past Second Century artists can be viewed online at earshot.org.