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Notes

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Randy Halberstadt playing piano in profile.

Randy Halberstadt photo by Daniel Sheehan.

Earshot Jazz Magazine Archives at Seattle Public Library

The complete Earshot Jazz 37-year archive will be available to the public very soon. Incredibly, it contains digital and searchable copies of all Earshot magazines, dating from the first “one-sheet,” which was published in December 1984, to the most current magazine produced in 2021. Since 2018, Earshot Jazz has been working with the Seattle Public Library to build digital archives of all the Earshot Jazz Magazine issues onto SPL’s Special Collections Online. That considerable work has paid off and delivers the living history of Seattle Jazz online. Thank you to SPL for hosting this collection. And a very special thank you to the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for providing the funding for this project. Stay tuned for detailed information about this special project.

In Memoriam: Nashira Priester

Jaymi “Nashira” Priester passed away suddenly on May 7 from a heart attack. The community mourns the passing of a nurturing, brilliantly creative, and passionate woman and mentor to many. For over 30 years, she worked as a producer of radio broadcast programs (both in San Francisco and Seattle), that shone the spotlight on jazz artists. Nashira was also known as an activist and poet whose work has appeared in numerous anthologies. She is survived by her husband Julian Priester, who is a retired Cornish professor and renowned jazz trombonist, their sons Ade and Atuanya Priester, and their granddaughter Amaya Priester. The Priester family has started a GoFundMe to assist with funeral and memorial costs, as well as supplemental support for her husband.

Ballard Jazz Festival

After 18 consecutive years, the Ballard Jazz Festival will not be returning in 2021. The cherished annual jazz festival in the heart of the Nordic neighborhood of Ballard has like so many other events been adversely affected by COVID and Washington’s ever-changing and complicated relationship to rises in cases. This is by no means the end of the festival and its organizers are patiently waiting for the day they can bring back the festival in all of its glory!

Annual “Make Music Day Seattle,” June 21

Held annually on June 21, Make Music Day is part of the international Fête de la Musique, taking place in over 1,000 cities across 120 countries encompassing over 5,000 concerts, performances, music lessons, jam sessions, and other events. The daylong, musical free-for-all celebrates music in all its forms, encouraging people to band together and play in free public concerts. Over 90 U.S. cities, including Seattle, are participating in this year’s hybrid celebration, with virtual and socially-distanced live events alike. Make Music Day Seattle is presented in the U.S. by Rainier Avenue Radio. All Make Music Day events are free and open to the public. Participants who wish to perform, or to host musical events, may register at makemusicday.org/seattle.

Seattle JazzED Summer Camps

Registration for Seattle JazzED’s PLAYBOOK, a virtual summer camp, is now open! Created by tenor saxophonist, Sammy Miller and the Congregation, students will learn a new jazz standard or melody each week. The all-ages course will offer tips, practice time, as well as a deep dive into the history of each song. Camp will be offered at a sliding scale at three different levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced, as well as the option to participate the whole summer or part of it. Additionally, registration for the two-week Summer Jazz Prep Camp in August is also open and offered at a sliding scale. This camp is open to students going into grades 4–8. No prior experience is required to participate. For registration details, visit seattlejazzed.org.

Blaine Harbor Music Festival and Camp, July 12–17

Registration for the Blaine Harbor Music Festival and Camp is now open for students ages 12+. The camp is 100% virtual this year and offering courses such as Ensembles, Instrument and Voice Masterclasses, Jazz Theory and Improvisation, and so on. The faculty is comprised of world-class musicians and performers from institutions such as Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, University of Washington, Cornish College, and more! Students can customize their class selection and experience to their interests. Guest teachers include Randy Halberstadt, Greta Matassa, Nick Biello, David Marriott Jr, Jovino Santos Neto, Charlie Porter, and others. Financial aid and scholarships are also available. For details visit blaineharbormusicfestival.org.


Jazz Around the Sound Calendar Now Accepting Live In- Person Events

Now that local government authorities are opening up the economy and planning to allow live music events with audiences, Earshot Jazz is accepting in-person events on the community calendar, Jazz Around the Sound.

How do I submit an event?

Go to our website at earshot.org and select “Events” > “Add your event” from the menu bar and fill out the form.

How do I view events?

Once submitted and approved by our calendar editor, events will show up on the website and be included in the print version of this magazine. Please be patient and allow 3–5 days for review and posting; do not resubmit the same event.

Things to Keep in Mind for Audiences of Live Events

Earshot Jazz does not verify the COVID-19 safety procedures employed by each venue (except in the venues where we are the producer of the event). Before purchasing a ticket to a live event, we suggest you contact the individual venue and verify the status of their safety protocols.

Questions about the Calendar Form

For questions about the form or your listing, email jazzcalendar@earshot.org.

Questions About an Event

For questions about a concert on the community calendar, contact the organizer of the event that is listed in the event posting.


Skills

Posted on

June 1, 2021