March On, March On
First of all, we’re hoping that March On will set the tempo for our exodus from this funky winter. Within the context of this March issue of Earshot Jazz, March On acknowledges the steady progression of jazz here in Seattle, with an appreciation of multiple rhythm cycles that spark the fires making this one of the deepest and most dynamic jazz scenes in America.
As a musical title, March On, March On is most widely associated with the great Oliver Nelson’s 1961 recording, Screaming the Blues, on which Nelson mines the tension of the times by matching wits with fellow saxophone genius, Eric Dolphy. Check out Paul de Barros’ fascinating piece on Dolphy in this issue. We’re proud to feature Paul’s work again in these pages (see “Roots,” page 19).
March always brings the annual Golden Ear and Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame Awards to Seattle. In addition to its core mission of recognizing outstanding accomplishments by our own resident artists each year, the awards are also a great opportunity for the long view, to take stock of the overall face and sound of this incredible community. For those who have been attending the event for years, and for anyone researching the accumulated documentation through the Earshot Jazz archives, the overall progression and quality here is remarkable.
It has been fun to see the positive support for this year’s awards on social media. Those individual artists are the standard bearers for our communal energies. We encourage you to get out to support them, and plan to join us March 11, 7pm at the Royal Room. You’ll find a ballot in this issue and, as always, you’re welcome to think outside the box of existing nominees and make your voice heard.
We’re also launching a fascinating series of spring concert events, kicking off on March 2, with a string trio of sorts by the bassist Stephan Crump and two of the leading guitarists in jazz, Liberty Ellman and Jamie Fox. We continue March 10 and 12 with two exciting programs of jazz biographies, presenting their authors, Maxine Gordon (Dexter Gordon) and Elaine Hayes (Sarah Vaughan), in creative conversations alongside exciting musical performances by Seattle-area artists. You can find details on these events, and many more, in this March issue.
As always, we invite you to join us. It is so fantastic that this monthly magazine is distributed free of charge all around the greater Seattle area. I know there are many people who read the magazine and maybe think about coming out to some event. Let this be the month that you March On out the door to hear some live jazz and meet the artists. See you at the Golden Ear Awards Party!!
Thank you!!
–John Gilbreath, Executive Director
