October was a big month at Seattle JazzED. Our new year of programs began, we hosted two events in partnership with Earshot Jazz, and hosted FEMME: Women & Gender-Expansive Jazz Day (technically happened on November 1st, but we’re counting it).

Workshop with Christian Sands and Warren Wolf

Christian Sands talking to participants at Earshot Workshop — Photo by Lisa Hagen Glynn

Warren Wolf with a young student on the vibraphone — Photo By Lisa Hagen Glynn

On October 21, community members of all ages took part in a workshop with Christian Sands and Warren Wolf at our space as part of Earshot Jazz Festival. Participants had the chance to learn directly from two working jazz musicians, receiving hands-on guidance on improvisation and ensemble playing.

Open Rehearsal: Inside the Freddy Fuego Orchestra

On October 23, we welcomed over forty folks in our space for an exclusive behind-the-scenes rehearsal with Freddy Fuego and his 15-piece orchestra. Attendees got to hear songs from his new album, ‘Moment of Truth’, out now.

This project was supported, in part, by 4Culture.

FEMME: Women & Gender-Expansive Jazz Day.

On November 1, we hosted FEMME Jazz Day, an afternoon of playing and learning for high school musicians who identify as women, girls, nonbinary, trans, and/or gender-expansive. The day was led by Audrey Stangland, supported by Marina Christopher, Alexis Rosenberg, and Megan Vinther.

Here are some things we learned together: ⁠
✨ Improvising isn’t making it all up on the spot. It’s a conversation, pulling from the vocabulary you already know.⁠
✨ It's okay to get the “bad” ideas out. What sounds off to one person sounds cool to another.⁠
✨ Every solo is a step toward finding your own style and the musician you want to be.

Before we charge towards the holiday and the end of the quarter, we want to express gratitude for the partners, teaching artists, families, and donors who help make events like this possible.

Join us at our next event on December 3. RSVP here.