Jazmyn Scott photo by Michael B. Maine
Earshot Jazz would like to introduce you to our board members. They’re a group whose work often goes unnoticed by the broader public, but we value their expertise and their dedication to Earshot Jazz. Each month you’ll meet someone new—in February, please meet Jazmyn Scott.
1. What is your name, board position, and preferred pronouns?
My name is Jazmyn Scott, pronouns are she/her, and I am a general board member.
2. How long have you served on the Earshot Jazz board and please mention any other EJ board positions you’ve held if any?
I’m a new board member and officially joined in August 2021.
3. What led you to join the Earshot Jazz board?
As the Director of Programs & Partnerships at LANGSTON, I’ve been able to work with the Earshot team for over four years to co-present concerts during the annual festival. Over the past year, I’ve deepened my relationship personally and professionally with Earshot by having the opportunity to participate more in the selection and development of programming. When John Gilbreath presented the idea of potentially joining the board this past summer, I thought it was a fabulous idea given my relationship with and love for the local music community and the growing relationship between our two organizations.
4. Tell us something you’re proud of that Earshot has achieved.
I’m really proud of the work Earshot is doing internally to recognize and make changes in the areas where growth is needed for true racial equity within the organization. This is an ongoing process that has not yet been fully achieved, but I’m proud to play a part in ensuring that Earshot is an anti-racist organization committed to equity on all fronts.
I’m also really proud of the festival itself. Putting on a month-long festival at multiple venues is no small feat and the organization, professionalism, and execution is exceptional. The Earshot staff and volunteers really go above and beyond to make certain all aspects of the festival are successful and I commend them for their hard work and dedication. I know first-hand how challenging it can be and they pull it off each year with such grace.
5. Tell us a little about your background-professional qualifications, job, interests, talents?
I am the Director of Programs & Partnerships for LANGSTON, Seattle’s hub for Black arts and culture; Co-founder of 50 Next: Seattle Hip-Hop Worldwide, a digital “time capsule” highlighting Seattle and Northwest Hip-Hop; and, co-curator of The Legacy of Seattle Hip-Hop which exhibited at the Museum of History & Industry and won the 2016 American Association for State & Local History (AASLH) Leadership in History award. In addition to serving on the Earshot board, I am also the Vice President of The Residency board and participate in several community arts advisory boards.
I love all things arts, especially music. I was raised in a household filled with arts and culture and both parents had careers in radio broadcast, so music was and is a constant part of my life. I particularly enjoy the experience of live music and I also enjoy visiting small art galleries, exhibitions, and museums that feature photography and multi/mixed-media arts.
I studied photography in my youth and have been featured in gallery showcases and an exhibition at Bumbershoot. I used to shoot for several local artists and musicians and one of my images was used for a local hip-hop group’s album cover. In addition, my work has also been used for event fliers and other promotional purposes.
6. 2020/2021 has been challenging, is there any other organization or inspirational person you’d like to highlight that stood out to you?
Well if I may toot my own horn, I’m incredibly proud of the work Tim Lennon (Executive Director of LANGSTON) and I have done while in the midst of the pandemic. We administered the Seattle Artist Relief Fund, which ended up making us the largest supporter of individual artists in Washington, raising and granting over $1.1M to over 2,100 artists and culture workers between March 2020 and April 2021. Despite being unable to open our doors to the public for in-person events until September 2021, we were still able to produce or present over 67 distinct programs (including the Earshot Jazz Festival), and connect our artists with an overall combined streaming/in-person live audience of over 4,200 during our events in 2021. The work never stopped or slowed down and I’m proud of the impact we’ve made, especially during these times.
