Martina DaSilva photo courtesy of the artist
2023 Essentially Ellington Finalists
Three area schools have been chosen to compete in the 2023 Essentially Ellington finals competition: Garfield High School under the direction of Jared Sessink, Bothell High School under the direction of Phil Dean, and Roosevelt High School under the direction of Hannah Mowry. The annual competition will be held May 11-13 in New York at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Congrats to these three schools! We’ll be rooting you on from here!
Seattle JazzED Gala
Join Seattle JazzED on March 9 for their gala, SOUNDTRACK for the FUTURE, a joyous and hopeful event celebrating Seattle JazzED’s students and the power of music to change lives. The program features two sets with Brazilian-American vocalist, Martina DaSilva and friends. Tickets to the gala include drinks, dinner, and live music. The dress code is festive! Dress like you are ready for a night of fun at a one-of-a-kind jazz club. Tickets at seattlejazzed.ejoinme.org/gala.
26th Annual Hot Java Cool Jazz at The Paramount Theatre
Seattle-area jazz fans are in for a special treat as the region’s top young musicians come together March 31 at The Paramount Theatre for Starbucks’ 26th Annual Hot Java Cool Jazz, presented by Seattle Theatre Group. One hundred percent of the ticket sales from the evening’s performance will directly benefit the music programs of the participating schools which this year includes: Bellevue High School, Bothell High School, Roosevelt High School, Garfield High School, and Mount Si High School. Since its inception in 1995, this annual event has raised more than $1,000,000 for participating schools’ music programs to cover costs such as competition, equipment, and travel. Tickets are $25 (not including fees) and are on sale now at stgpresents.org. This is an all-ages event with general admission seating. “Hot Java Cool Jazz is a favorite program throughout the city. It gives the students a chance to highlight their skills for a packed house. It truly is an unforgettable experience for them,” said June Ashley, senior manager, partnerships for Starbucks. “Starbucks is proud to give the support needed for local high school music programs. These students are the future of jazz.”
Intern with Women in Jazz Organization
Women in Jazz Organization (WIJO) is accepting rolling applications to the WIJO Internship Program, a great way for up-and-coming music-community leaders to gain real, hands-on professional experience and insight into the day-to-day activities of a start-up non-profit organization. The internship program is designed for motivated students or young professionals who are interested in gaining the real-life multifaceted skills that it takes to run an organization and its affiliated programs in today’s music industry. The WIJO intern will receive a meaningful, educational, and enjoyable work experience collaborating with established jazz musicians-turned-community-leaders while being exposed to the broader music industry environment. The WIJO intern will act as administrative support to the WIJO Mentors Program and will generally support furthering the WIJO mission. Video editing and graphic design skills a plus. Passion for music, the performing arts, and knowledge of jazz is a must. Black, Indigenous, women, and non-binary people are encouraged to apply. The position is part-time (6-8 hours a week), remote, and may also be eligible for college credit. WIJO was founded by Seattle-born, now NYC-based saxophonist Roxy Coss, to address many of the issues that women and non-binary people in the jazz world are facing on a daily basis. Now in its 6th year, WIJO has over 500 members and works with artists such as Johnaye Kendrick and Carmen Staaf. Learn more at wearewijo.org.
Shakti: 50th Anniversary Tour feat. John McLaughlin & Zakir Hussain w/ Very Special Guest Bela Fleck
Mark your calendars for the 50th-anniversary tour of Shakti at the Paramount Theatre on September 6! An unprecedented, transcontinental collaboration, Shakti united eastern and western musicians, and, in the process, forged the template for what is now called “world music.” From the West came virtuoso British guitarist John McLaughlin, and from the East came visionary tabla player Zakir Hussain, violinist L. Shankar, and ghatam player T.H. “Vikku” Vinayakram. Together, they honed an ecstatic new fusion, blazing uncharted pathways and demonstrating the potential of such global composites to generations of musicians around the world. Now McLaughlin and Hussain are preparing to resume their journey—joined by percussionist V. Selvaganesh (T.H. Vinayakram’s son), vocalist Shankar Mahadevan, and violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan—for an album of new compositions and a world tour marking Shakti’s 50th anniversary. Today, Shakti honors the legacy of the original band by acknowledging their tradition while continuing to push beyond existing boundaries into new musical landscapes. “It’s really a thrill,” McLaughlin says of Shakti’s anniversary plans. “I’m delighted to be part of this marvelous tradition of the Shakti group.” Tickets on sale now at stgpresents.org.
Chamber Music America 2023 New Jazz Works
Chamber Music America’s (CMA) New Jazz Works program provides grants to jazz ensembles based in the U.S., its territories, and Indian country supporting the creation, performance, and recording of new jazz works. The new work may be composed by the ensemble leader or another member of the ensemble/collective. Since 2000, CMA has awarded 277 original jazz works grants, including Seattle’s Jovino Santos Neto Quintet, Wayne Shorter Quartet, and most recently säje. Applications are open through Thursday, March 30, 11:59pm ET. For more information, including program guidelines and application, visit chambermusicamerica.org.
