Jun Iida photo by Lisa Hagen Glynn
Tuesday, March 12, 6:30pm
The Royal Room
5000 Rainier Ave S
$5-15
BY K.SADBERRY
Time goes by so slowly and then it’s March, the month of the annual Golden Ear Awards. Head down to Columbia City’s Royal Room on March 12 for a special evening in which we gather to give considerable applause to veteran players and the up-and-coming musicians who make whole our local jazz scene. Hosted by multi-instrumentalist and educator, Alex Dugdale, artists from all levels and this expansive community join together on this night to recognize the collective achievements made from the previous year in the realm of jazz. Although, we know that this music exists as an ever-evolving space. Recognizing past accomplishments offers, too, a glimpse into the future of Seattle’s jazz scene.
Since 1991, Earshot Jazz has held the Golden Ear Awards. Artists can be nominated in the following categories from the 2023 year: NW Recording of the Year, NW Acoustic Jazz Ensemble, NW Alternative Jazz Group, NW Jazz Instrumentalist, NW Emerging Artist, NW Vocalist, NW Concert, and the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame. Inductees from the very first ceremony were named as far back as 1990!
Trumpeter Jun Iida and his ensemble are the evening’s featured band. Iida recently released his debut album, Evergreen, on Origin Records which has quickly stretched the corners of the planet, overwhelmingly met with high praise. Iida crafts his own compositions and improvisations, but also tinkers with reworkings of jazz standards. Expect to hear some tunes from the new record from 6:30 until 7:30, when they hand over the stage to Dugdale for the Awards Ceremony. And don’t forget to bring your instruments! Immediately following the Awards is a jam session. You know jazz is all about the after hang!
Tickets are on sale now at earshot.org, sliding scale $5-15. To ensure great seating, please visit royalroomseattle.com/reservations.
