David Sánchez photo courtesy of the artist
2023 Seattle Jazz Hero, Eugenie Jones
The Jazz Journalists Association (JJA) announced its slate of 2023 Jazz Heroes, advocates who have had significant impact in their local communities. The Jazz Hero awards, made annually based on nominations from community members, are presented by their local fans and friends in conjunction with the JJA’s annual Jazz Awards honoring significant achievements in jazz music and journalism. Seattle’s Jazz Hero is singer/songwriter and executive producer of the local Jackson Street Jazz Walk, Eugenie Jones. In addition, trombonist and composer, Naomi Moon Siegel received the Montana Jazz Hero award, though many recall Siegel for her years on Seattle’s scene including the folk/punk/jazz duo Syrinx Effect with saxophonist Kate Olson.
Seattle JazzED Summer Programs
Seattle JazzED is currently enrolling 4-12th-grade students for their summer music camps. Camps include Femme Jazz Summer Camp, Summer Second Line Project, Summer Jazz Ambassadors, and Summer Jazz Lab. Summer Jazz Foundations registrations are currently full but are accepting waitlists. Tuition is offered on a sliding scale to all families, regardless of financial circumstances. To learn more visit seattlejazzed.org/summer-overview
Camp Jitterbug & The Northwest Lindy Hop Championships
Calling all dancers! The annual Camp Jitterbug (CJ) lindy hop festival returns this Memorial Day weekend (May 26-29) offering workshops, lectures, dance competitions, and DJ-ed after-hours dance nights. Now in its 22nd year, the event which first began as a small event in Ballard has grown through the years and now features amazing instructors from around the world and incredible jazz musicians in the heart of Capitol Hill. To keep the down-home “Seattle” feel at the event, event organizers searched for eclectic and beautiful vintage ballrooms and studios in Capitol Hill, all within walking distance of each other. Friday night’s band features Seattle-based saxophonist Jacob Zimmerman, who specializes in jazz from the 78-rpm era (1920s-1950s). The All Star Band plays Saturday night featuring rotating band leaders including Zimmerman, jazz dance instructor and drummer Chester Whitmore, Port Townsend-based saxophonist Jonathan Doyle, and more. Doyle’s band plays the Sunday night dance and Whitmore closes out CJ with a DJ-ed soul party on Monday afternoon. Other Seattle guest artists include D’Vonne Lewis, Jun Iida, Jerome Smith, Marina Albero, and Matt Weiner. Visit campjitterbug.com for the full schedule of events, including tickets and venue map.
Town Hall Seattle’s New Executive Director, David Song
Following an extensive national search, Town Hall Seattle recently welcomed David Song as the organization’s new executive director. Song is a lifelong learner and advocate for equity and inclusion and joins Town Hall with a broad set of experiences and skills. Song is Town Hall’s third executive director, serving after Wier Harman’s 17-year tenure. “It is an honor to be Town Hall’s next leader,” said Song. “Now, more than ever, the arts and culture landscape needs places like Town Hall where we prioritize accessibility to our programming and to our stages…. ” As one of our longstanding partners, we celebrate Song’s addition and look forward to continued work in community with each other.
Discount for Vancouver International Jazz Festival
The Vancouver International Jazz Festival approaches June 23-July 7 and will be held in multiple locations across the beautiful city of Vancouver, British Columbia. Framed by mountains and the ocean, this idyllic location is the perfect place to get your musical fix. This year will be the 38th year of the festival, which has featured thousands of artists across hundreds of venues in Vancouver. Earshot Jazz subscribers can use the code EARSHOT2023 for a special 10% off for ticket purchases at Performance Works during the festival (Excluding Sun Ra Arkestra. Code expires June 1). More information at coastaljazz.ca.
Jazz Port Townsend
Mark your calendars for Centrum’s Jazz Port Townsend workshop week this July 24-30. Jazz Port Townsend is open to instrumentalists and singers high school-aged and above. Approximately 200 participants focus on developing improvisational skills in a small group setting. Over 30 world-class faculty lead immersive master classes, coaching, individual combos, daily jam sessions, faculty performances, and special topic classes each day. Artistic Director and Grammy-winning bassist John Clayton has hand-picked Jazz Port Townsend’s educators. This year’s faculty includes Clayton, Tia Fuller, David Sánchez, Marlon Martinez, George Cables, Obed Calvaire, Gary Hobbs, Miles Okazaki, Gary Smulyan, Randy Porter, Dawn Clement, Chuck Easton, Wycliffe Gordon, Lewis Nash, Jon Hamar, Jeff Hamilton, John Hansen, Terell Stafford, Matt Wilson, Sachal Vasandani, Randy Halberstadt, and more. The week culminates in a series of concerts in which all participants have an opportunity to perform. Spots are filling up, register now at centrum.org/jazz-port-townsend-the-workshop.
