Clarence Acox conducts Garfield High School Jazz Band. Photo by Daniel Sheehan.
Garfield High School Announces Transition in Director of Bands Position
Garfield High School has announced that Clarence Acox is retiring. We thank Acox for his over 40-year tenure at Garfield and his innumerable contributions to the community.
Jared Sessink will serve as the new Band Director. The expanded role will oversee Garfield Jazz, Athletic Bands, Concert Bands, and Drumline. Sessink joins Garfield from Washington Middle School, where he served as band director for the past three years. Sessink looks forward to his new role in the community and continuing to work with WMS students who will transition into the Garfield program. We send our congratulations to Sessink on his new role. WMS has not yet announced Sessink’s successor.
Seattle JazzED Turns 10 Years Old
In celebration of turning 10 years old, Seattle JazzED is hosting a free block party at the site of their future home in Rainier Valley. The Block Party includes performances from the JazzED Summer Second Line, Banda Vagos, and an all-star band of teaching artists, the JazzED Messengers. Free hot dogs, birthday cake, prizes, kids’ activities, and a first look at preliminary designs for the future building are also included. The Block Party takes place on Tuesday, August 6, 6–9:30pm at 2101 22nd Ave S. For more information, visit bit.ly/jazzedblockparty.
Call for Musicians: The Art of Music in the Junction
The West Seattle Junction Association is seeking musicians for performances during the Junction’s Second Thursday Art Walks. The addition of music will begin during the August Art Walk and continue through 2019. Interested musicians should submit an application and work sample. For more information and to apply, visit wsjunction.org.
In Memoriam: James Coile
James Coile, master of the woodwinds, passed away unexpectedly on June 20 at age 71. Born in Kirkland, WA, Coile was a celebrated flutist and tenor saxophonist. He steadily built up a career performing extensively in Europe and America, before settling in LA with a successful career as a studio musician. For the past 30 years, Coile made the Pacific Northwest his home, performing in numerous ensembles including fusion jazz bands and big band orchestras. He was one of the members of Seattle’s longest running Latin jazz group, Sonando. We extend our condolences to Coile’s family and friends.
Chamber Music America Seeks Performance Plus Grant Applicants
Chamber Music America’s Performance Plus program provides grants to U.S. female-led jazz ensembles. The grants support an experienced jazz artist-educator for six evaluative listening sessions with the goal of enhancing the ensemble’s performance. The listening sessions culiminate in a recording session resulting in a high-quality demo for use by the grantee ensemble. The deadline to apply is August 23. For more information, eligibility, and to apply, visit chamber-music.org.
USArtists International Grant
USArtists International (USAI) supports performances by U.S. artists at important cultural events and marketplaces around the world. They aim to professionally develop U.S. artists and to provide cultural exchange opportunities by providing grants to ensembles and individuals involved in various art forms, including music. USAI provides grants of up to $15,000 in support of artists fees, travel, accommodation, per diem, shipping, and visa preparation. USAI is a program of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation. The program has three rounds with application deadlines of September 5, 2019, November 22, 2019 and April 1, 2020. For more information, visit midatlanticarts.org.
International Songwriting Competition
Designed to nurture song-writing talent at all levels, the annual international songwriting competition (ISC) encourages both amateurs and professionals. All songs must be original and can be entered into multiple categories. Entrants compete for both cash and prizes and winners will gain extensive publicity and recognition. The extended deadline for ISC runs from September 19–November 6. Details can be found at songwritingcompetition.com .
Earshot Jazz Seeks Festival Interns
Earshot Jazz is now accepting applications for its 2019 Festival Internship program. Internships run from August through November and are part-time, with some evening and weekend work. Internships are unpaid, but can be for course credit where necessary. Students pursuing a degree in communications, arts management, arts administration, publication arts, and music/jazz studies are encouraged to apply. Candidates must have excellent communication, time management, and organizational skills, and professional phone and email manners. Having a car is a major plus; a passion for the arts is a must! Interested applicants should email a cover letter and resume to info@earshot.org by August 20.
Café Nordo Presents 7th and Jackson
Written and directed by Sara Porkalob, Café Nordo presents 7th and Jackson, a play that explores the dreams and reality of owning a jazz club in Seattle. Spanning over three decades the play is set against the backdrop of socially and politically contentious eras from the early 1900’s underground speakeasy era to the bombing of Pearl Harbor and WWII. Live music is directed by Andrew Pang and includes renditions of music by The Andrews Sisters, Duke Ellington, and Frank Sinatra. The play is a dinner theatre event that includes a four-course menu. It runs July 19 through August 11. Tickets and information available at cafenordo.com.
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