Earshot Jazz Society of Seattle

DESCRIPTION

Earshot Jazz is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring jazz as a vital Black American art form through live performance presentations, artist support, and jazz journalism, and community engagement. Founded in 1984, Earshot Jazz has become a cornerstone of Seattle's cultural landscape, fostering a dynamic jazz community that celebrates both the rich history and evolving nature of the genre.

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’s core programs reflect its dedication to artistic excellence and community engagement.

Earshot Jazz Magazine

Launched as a one-page newsletter, Earshot Jazz is now a 24-page monthly magazine with a 5,000-copy run, distributed free across Seattle and by subscription nationwide. It features news, reviews, artist profiles, and a jazz calendar. Digitally archived since 2021 through a Mellon Foundation grant, it serves as a living record of Seattle’s jazz legacy.

Earshot Jazz Festival & Special Concert Series

Since 1989, the annual Earshot Jazz Festival has presented leading global and local artists across more than 40 concerts each fall. Spanning three to four weeks and 15 to 20 venues, the festival offers performances in settings from intimate clubs to historic theaters.

A central platform for genre-defying music and Seattle-based creativity, the festival reflects Earshot Jazz’s mission of inclusive excellence. It features both emerging and established artists, showcasing the evolving sound and cultural depth of jazz.

Through commissions, artist residencies, and educational programs, the festival fosters connection, innovation, and community engagement while honoring Seattle’s rich jazz legacy.

Artist in Residence Program

These residencies serve as pivotal moments in artists' careers, providing them with opportunities to present multifaceted projects, collaborate with diverse musicians, and connect more deeply with audiences. These residencies spark innovation and often lead to groundbreaking work.

New Works Commission

Local composers are invited to premiere original works at the festival, with selected artists receiving a monetary award to support creation of their new work. Chosen through an open application process, this program celebrates diverse creative voices and supports the continued evolution of jazz. Recent commissioned works have explored themes of identity, memory, and cultural heritage.

Golden Ear Awards & Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame

Since 1991, these awards have celebrated regional jazz excellence across categories such as Instrumentalist, Vocalist, and Album of the Year. The Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame honors lifetime contributions to the Pacific Northwest jazz scene. For local artists, these recognitions offer meaningful validation from their community, elevating their work and deepening their connection to Seattle’s rich jazz legacy.

John Gilbreath Service Excellence Award

Launching in 2025, this award honors Gilbreath’s legacy and recognizes individuals or groups advancing jazz through advocacy, innovation, and preservation. Winners are celebrated at the festival and receive a cash prize, magazine profile, and commemorative honors.

Duke Ellington’s Sacred Music Concert

A beloved tradition since the early years, this annual winter concert brings together the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, gospel vocalists, chorus, and tap dance to honor Ellington’s vision. It's the longest-running presentation of his Sacred Music in the U.S.

MAKING HEADLINES

"The 2024 Earshot Jazz Festival highlights some of the world-class artists that live here in the Northwest, rounded out with national and international artists." KNKX NPR, 2024 - https://www.knkx.org/jazz/2024-10-08/earshot-jazz-festival-returns-with-intimate-trios-big-fiery-ensembles

"There are probably not many jazz festivals in the United States with the sheer scale of Earshot." JazzTimes, 2022 - https://jazztimes.com/reviews/live/the-earshot-jazz-festival-owns-seattles-early-autumn/

"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