Earshot Jazz Society of Seattle

DESCRIPTION

Earshot Jazz supports jazz in our home community, from its deep cultural heritage rooted in the Black American experience to its global progression and expansion as a musical force. In 39 years of service, Earshot Jazz has become a valued part of Seattle’s vibrant cultural community. 

Like jazz itself, we aspire to be responsive to our environment, dedicated to creativity, and fluid in our approach. We honor our traditions without being bound by them, and we are confident of a future that celebrates accomplishment and expertise wrapped in the soul of human expression. 

We understand the need to earn our valued position within this region’s cultural community by providing a hub of support to jazz artists, audiences, presenters, students, and educators through concert presentations, a monthly magazine, and community engagement activities.

ANNOUNCEMENT: John Gilbreath is Retiring

After a celebrated career that spans more than three decades at Earshot Jazz, John Gilbreath is retiring from his role as executive director. Over the past 30+ years, John has been a driving force behind our mission to honor jazz through live performance, artist advocacy and community engagement. While we will miss John’s leadership and passion, we are energized to start a new chapter that will build upon the work, connections and community he cultivated. Learn more about the transition, our new interim director, and Earshot Jazz’s plans for the future. Learn more.

MISSION

Vision: to ensure jazz thrives as a great American gift to global culture

Mission: Earshot Jazz honors jazz as a vital Black American art form through live performance presentations, artist advocacy, and community engagement.

Core Values: Artist Advocacy, Collaboration, History

PROGRAMS

EARSHOT JAZZ MAGAZINE 

Since 1984, over 2 million copies of the Earshot Jazz magazine have been distributed free of charge around the city. Providing careful documentation of one of the most vibrant jazz scenes in the country, it includes resident artist profiles, news, reviews, and previews. 

Calendar: The comprehensive calendar of jazz events in the region, is a free service provided to artists, venues, and other presenters. It is available in print and online.

Archives: In 2021 we launched the Earshot Jazz Magazine Archive in collaboration with Seattle Public Library’s Special Collections Online, enabling the public free digital access to 39 years of Seattle Jazz history.

CONCERTS 

Earshot Jazz typically presents 100 of Seattle’s most memorable concerts each year, presenting dynamic original work by established and emerging artists. We present national touring artists alongside our own world-class resident artists. As a presenter, Earshot is widely respected for adventurous programming by creative artists whom would typically not be considered viable on commercial stages.

Earshot Jazz Festival: For over 31 years, we’ve been putting on the biggest jazz fest in the Pacific Northwest featuring concerts, and community-focused programming. The festival brings jazz greats from around the world into creative collaboration with audiences and artists while celebrating Seattle’s place in the world of jazz. 

Concert of Duke Ellington's Sacred Music: Now in it's 36th year, Ellington's serious and swinging "Sacred Music” was written late in his career for jazz big band, vocal and instrumental soloists, gospel choir, and tap dancers. Look out for this concert in late December.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 

Golden Ear Awards and Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame: Earshot hosts the annual "Golden Ear" Seattle Jazz Awards to honor the significant achievements of area artists. In 2024 we gathered around 100 jazz musicians, and community members under one roof at The Royal Room, and enjoyed music from a local band led by trumpeter Jun Iida, along with bassist Trevor Ford, guitarist Martin Budde, pianist Dylan Hayes, and drummer D'Vonne Lewis. 

Commissions Program: A relatively new program started in 2022, designed to support a resident artist's musical creativity. We offer $3,000 to a Seattle area artist, selected by a peer panel, to compose new music. The premiere of their new music is performed at the Earshot Jazz Festival.

Access to the Art: Engagement through wide accessibility is one of our core values. Our current offerings include adult ticket prices are ½ that of commercial presenters, $12 student tickets; student groups (10+) tickets at $5; day-of-show pay-what-you-can access; and an allotment of free tickets to ALL events; a percentage of festival concerts available with livestream option.

"Earshot Serves as Platform for Thriving Seattle Scene" - DownBeat magazine, 2019
https://downbeat.com/news/detail/earshot-platform-seattle-jazz-scene

"Despite its international reputation, Earshot has remained a true community organization." - NEA Arts magazine, 2015

https://www.arts.gov/stories/magazine/2015/2/nea-50-shaping-americas-cultural-landscape

Image of Ayesha Brooks by Lisa Hagen Glynn, from the 2024 Earshot Jazz Festival.