Julian Priester Day
On September 25, 2023, the City of Seattle proclaimed it to be Julian Priester Day. Julian Priester is one of the great trombonists. He’s worked with many jazz legends including Sun Ra and Muddy Waters, Dinah Washington, Lionel Hampton, Max Roach, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland, and Sam Rivers. In addition to being a distinct soloist and valued sideman, he’s also a bandleader and composer of note. In a career spanning seven decades, Priester has spent more than four of them in Seattle, where he’s been an important presence in the community. In 1979, he moved to Seattle to take the position of professor of jazz trombone at Cornish College of the Arts. Through both his playing and teaching, he has imparted his vast knowledge to new generations of students and listeners. Priester has been the Artist in Residence of the Seattle Jazz Fellowship since its inception. In their series of Listening Sessions, Priester has regaled the audience with tales of recording some of the most important albums in jazz. He’s dedicated to passing the jazz tradition forward. The proclamation was announced at a benefit for Priester’s recent health expenses. The benefit was presented by Seattle Jazz Fellowship at Jazz Alley, and hosted by Christian McBride, with performances by Priester’s Cue and the Fellowship ‘Ceptet.
Promoting Your Music in the Digital Era Workshop
Join arts and culture journalist, Alexa Peters, on November 17 for an online course specifically tailored for independent musicians looking to book more gigs, get press, and grow their audience. In this workshop, participants will explore strategies for promoting your music in the digital era including how to converse with members of the music press by crafting your own electronic press kit (EPK), how to define and create your brand story as an artist, how to use YouTube and Dropbox to put together and send EPKs, and how to increase your following on social media with a fully-optimized profile, hashtags, and engaging posts. If you’re an independent musician whose interested in learning how to work with music press/bookers and social media then this course is for you! For more information and to register for the $35 course, visit alexapeterswrites.com/news.
Job Opportunity – Centrum Program Manager
Centrum is currently hiring for a program manager who shares a vision for the next chapter of Centrum’s programming and a passion for supporting artists and creatives in their need for time, space, and resources to help them thrive and build community. At this pivotal moment, Centrum is launching a new series of public-facing residencies: In the Making, alongside its established programs including the Emerging Artists and Writers Residency, the Curatorial and Arts Worker Residency, and self-directed residencies. In anticipation of ongoing renovation to lodgings and studio spaces, the new role will involve aligning the residency programs’ development with Centrum’s strategic goals, determined collaboratively with the executive director and fellow program managers. The chosen candidate will also oversee the administration, promotion, and community engagement activities for residencies, bringing along a strong network in regional and national artist communities. This is a senior staff, full-time exempt position, located in Port Townsend, WA. The hourly pay range for this position is $25-30, depending on experience. Learn more at centrum.org/program-manager-residencies-artist-projects.
Kelly Clingan Passes Leadership of Girls Ellington Project
After more than ten years of dedicated leadership, Kelly Clingan, the driving force behind Seattle JazzED’s Girls Ellington Project, is passing on the reins to a new generation of educators: Katyrose Jordan, Audrey Stangland, Marissa Kall, and Abbey Blackwell. The Girls Ellington Project, founded in 2012, has been a beacon of inspiration, allowing girls and gender-diverse high school musicians to explore the timeless works of Duke Ellington and nurturing individual voices within the ensemble. Reflecting on her decision to step down, Clingan expressed, “It’s time to pass the torch to the next generation of baddies. Kids today need something different, and I might not be the person to provide that. Duke Ellington, often regarded as the greatest American composer, believed in honoring individual voices within his ensemble. This spirit lives on in the Girls Ellington Project.” Clingan will continue to serve Seattle JazzED as the education director, where she will focus on a more strategic vision, offering clinics throughout the region to further enrich the jazz education landscape. “I’ll always be here as a consultant for what’s going on, but now, with four other dedicated educators, we can strengthen the sense of community and collaboration within the Girls Ellington Project, staying true to the JazzED way.” Read the full blog post at seattlejazzed.org/news.
