In this Issue











Table of Contents
– Profiles –
Naomi Moon Siegel: Seeking a More Vibrant Expression
Catching Up With: Paul Rucker’s Interactive Activism
– Previews –
The 16th Annual DjangoFest NorthWest
– Reviews –
For the Record: Choice, Recent Local Releases
– On the Scene –
Jazz Travels: Jams & Budget Tips
Masthead
September 2016
Volume 32, No. 9
Executive Director
John Gilbreath
Managing Director
Karen Caropepe
Program Manager
Caitlin Peterkin
Editor
Caitlin Peterkin
Contributing Writers
Halynn Blanchard
Connor Creighton
Marianne Gonterman
Edan Krolewicz
Andrew Luthringer
Mayumi Tsutakawa
Calendar Editors
Henry Smith-Hunt
Caitlin Peterkin
Photography
Daniel Sheehan
Layout
Caitlin Peterkin
Art Consulting
Beth Rocha
Distribution
Karen Caropepe & Earshot Jazz volunteers
Send Calendar Information to:
Add a gig to the calendar online or send us an email.
Board of Directors
Sue Coliton (president)
Danielle Leigh (vice president)
Sally Nichols (secretary)
Ruby Smith Love
Diane Wah
John W. Comerford
Chris Icasiano
Viren Kamdar
Emeritus Board Members
Clarence Acox
Hideo Makihara
Kenneth W. Masters
Lola Pedrini
Paul Toliver
Cuong Vu
Founded in 1984 by Paul de Barros, Gary Bannister, and Allen Youngblood.
Earshot Jazz is published monthly by Earshot Jazz Society of Seattle.
Subscription (with membership): $35
3429 Fremont Place #309
Seattle, WA 98103
phone / (206) 547-6763
Earshot Jazz ISSN 1077-0984
Printed by Pacific Publishing Company
© 2016 Earshot Jazz Society of Seattle
Letter from the Director
Melody, Harmony, Rhythm & Improvisation
So far, “Jazz is LIFE” has been the strongest and most common summation of our open-ended campaign. We understand, on a number of levels, that this statement is far from a quick toss-off response. Besides expressing the genuine dedication of one’s life to a creative vocation, the statement also invites us to embrace the elements of jazz as metaphors for the living of life, and the doing of our work.
The Washington Post laid out the basics recently in an article for kids, saying: “Jazz has all the elements that other music has: It has melody; that’s the tune of the song, the part you’re most likely to remember. It has harmony, the notes that make the melody sound fuller. It has rhythm, which is the heartbeat of the song. But what sets jazz apart is this cool thing called improvisation.” There is, of course, more.
Jazz is magnetized. We all go through life attracting knowledge, experience, relationships, and resources, and using all of this information to form and improve the integrity of our own forward momentum. And while all art expresses the sum of the human condition, Jazz seems to be the only art form that openly celebrates the collection of its component ingredients, and joyfully and continually reimagines these elements as new art.
All of that to say that the Earshot Jazz Festival is right around the corner, and it’s a thing of beauty. It carries the melody of tradition, embellished by the harmony of diversity, and moving forward with the syncopated rhythm of our collective hearts. And this year, even more than others, it thrives on improvisations projected in a wide spectrum of sounds and hues, from around the world, and around our ever-expanding city.
The tempo is definitely picking up at the Earshot office as we prepare the 28th edition of “Seattle’s most important annual jazz event” (DownBeat). This is a community event. Working together to help Seattle be a jazz city like no other is the life’s work of this organization. And though the melodic structure is clear, and the comping of community support is unwavering, we invite you to join us – behind the scenes, in the audience, and up on the bandstand!
Get involved! Support Jazz in Seattle!
– John Gilbreath, Executive Director