2024 SOUNDTRACK FOR THE FUTURE GALA
Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 5:30 PM
Amazon Meeting Center, 2031 7th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
Prepare for a night of community and jazzy jubilation! This year's event is a fusion of Pacific Northwest charm, rhythmic melodies by our community of students and educators, and Cajun culinary artistry by the renowned Old Ballard Catering Company. The stage will be graced by special guests, ensuring captivating sounds that will fill the air, ignite your spirit, and inspire your evening.
Dress like you’re at a jazz nightclub and join us in celebrating Seattle JazzED's vibrant community and unwavering support for its students. This event isn't just about music and food; it's a symphony of joy and unity. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind experience that promises to be the highlight of your year!
Meet the Emcee
Riley Mulherkar
Riley Mulherkar has been recognized as a “smart young trumpet player” by The New York Times, praised by The Wall Street Journal as a “youngster to keep an eye on,” and is a 2020 recipient of Lincoln Center’s Emerging Artist Award for his work as “an original bandleader, composer, arranger, educator, community activist and advocate for jazz and the arts.”
Riley is actively engaged in educational initiatives, founding the Joye in Aiken Jazz Camp in 2021, directing the Summer Advanced Institute at Seattle JazzED from 2017-2019, and serving as an ambassador for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s “Jazz for Young People” program in New York and St. Louis from 2016 – 2018. Riley is also a faculty member of The College of Performing Arts at The New School in New York, NY.
Meet the Performers
D’Vonne Lewis
Winner of the 2013, 2018 and 2021 “NW Instrumentalist of the Year” honors in the Seattle Earshot Jazz Golden Ear Awards, D’Vonne Lewis is the grandson of the ‘Godfather’ of rock and roll/soul, 1950s-1960s Northwest organ legend, Dave Lewis.
D'Vonne Lewis graduated with honors from Seattle’s Roosevelt High School in 2002 and was a member of the award-winning jazz band, directed by SRJO trombonist, Scott Brown. While in high school, D’Vonne received the Essentially Ellington Drum soloist award for the years 2000, 2001 and 2002. Lewis resides in Seattle, WA, and extensively tours and performs various gigs in styles ranging from jazz, big band, funk, hip-hop, rock, Brazilian and African.
Ayesha Brooks
Ayesha Brooks is a singer and songwriter based in Seattle. Often performing under her alter ego or moniker name “Musicbox”, it is clear that music is reflected in everything Brooks does. She has sung with The Wayne Horvitz Songs Project, Imagine the Giant, and different rock groups within Seattle. Her soulful and canorous voice is expressive and deeply moving within any context or musical setting.
Wayne Horvitz
Recipient of the 2019 American Prize in Orchestral Composition, composer Wayne Horvitz performs extensively throughout Europe, Japan, and North America. In addition to creating work for his own ensembles, he has created new work for The Kitchen, BAM, Seattle Symphony, Berlin Jazz, Nocco, Vienna Radio Orchestra, Centrum, and ACT among others. He has received awards from, MAP, McKnight Foundation, the NEA, Meet the Composer, and The Shifting Foundation. among others. Narrative works include pieces centered around the life of Joe Hill, the story of the Everett Massacre, and the poems of Richard Hugo. Installation work has been presented at Ft. Worden, SAM and Arizona State Museum of Art. He is the recipient of the 2016 Doris Duke Performing Artist Award.
Catch a glimpse of last year’s gala and prepare yourself to dive into the magic of our 2024 gala!
Can’t attend Soundtrack for the Future but still want to show your support? Click the button to the right to donate and support the lives of youth across the city.
Click below to see photos of the 2024 Soundtrack for the Future. (Photos by Emazing Photography)
Thank you to this year’s Soundtrack for the Future Gala Sponsors!
Interested in being this year’s sponsor?
We believe any student who wants to play should get to play.
Through jazz education that liberates and inspires, our mission is to increase access in the music room, celebrate student expression and build lasting connection rooted in community.
At Seattle JazzED, we welcome students in grades 4-12 at all levels. You can play or sing in an ensemble, take a one-day workshop, spend a week in the summer honing skills…or all three!
Plus, our students and families always choose their tuition level. Flexible payment plans and full tuition waivers are available, no questions asked. We’re able to offer sliding scale prices because our community of families pay what they can and our community of donors give what they can.