Schedule

Joining us from Bonney Lake, WA, the Bonney Lake High School Jazz Band under the direction of Brandon Cain.

Roosevelt High School's jazz program is one of the best in the nation. Advanced student ensembles full of talent and swing.

Mount Si Jazz students are hard-working and dedicated, and their program has been recognized at numerous festivals including Essentially Ellington and Hot Java Cool Jazz.

One of the most accomplished jazz vocalists on the West Coast, Greta Matassa has been hailed by critics and peers alike as a world-class interpreter of the American Songbook. With seven Earshot Jazz Vocalist of the Year awards, a string of acclaimed albums on Origin Records, and performances ranging from intimate jazz clubs to international festivals, Greta brings both technical mastery and deep emotional intelligence to every stage she graces.

Jay Thomas is a living legend in the Seattle jazz world — a master of trumpet, flugelhorn, and saxophone whose career spans over five decades. A two-time Earshot Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year who has played with Cedar Walton and Mel Lewis.

Kelly Eisenhour is a jazz vocalist whose recordings include I Just Found Out About Love (2022), featuring renowned jazz artists Jeff Hamilton, Tamir Hendleman, and Christoph Luty. Her earlier album Seek and Find, featuring Bob Mintzer, reached #14 on the national JazzWeek charts and stayed in the Top 100 for seven months. She has performed in Las Vegas production shows, appeared at national and international jazz festivals, and toured as a guest soloist with the Boston Pops. Eisenhour also worked as a backup vocalist for Gladys Knight and contributed as a songwriter, soloist, co-arranger, and assistant choir director on the Grammy-winning gospel album One Voice. In addition to performing, she directs the award-winning Green River Jazz Voices.

Reuel Lubag is a distinguished jazz pianist, composer, and educator based in Seattle. He has performed with legends like Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Williams, and the Glenn Miller Orchestra. As a member of the Native Jazz Quartet, he toured Latin America as a U.S. State Department jazz ambassador.

Kandin Neri provides unique, fresh, and creative arrangements, compositions, and collaborative performances. Neri has a strong affinity for the traditional and innovative sounds of saxophonists that precede him, including the likes of John Coltrane, Joe Henderson, and Charlie Parker.

Born and raised in Western Washington, Leah is influenced and inspired by the diverse flavors and talents of the local jazz community. With a fresh new approach to a classic art form, Leah gracefully captures the style and charisma of jazz with her sultry voice and laid back expression. Calm and alluring, her tunes will relax you into the finest essence of vocal jazz.

The Bellevue High School Jazz Ensemble I has recently won multiple festivals and is under the direction of Edd George. A dynamic and high-caliber student band.

Dan Taylor is a North Bend based pianist. Dan has always been in love with both classical and jazz music, and his playing style reflects the mixture of these two art forms.

Greg Schroeder (trombone) and Nathan Fisher (trumpet)

Bassist Moe Weisner is quickly emerging as a voice to watch in the Northwest jazz scene. Known for his warm tone, melodic sensibility, and versatility. A graduate of Cornish College of the Arts.

Dr. Ben Thomas is one of the most in-demand vibists in the Pacific Northwest. Known for combining virtuosic technique with flowing lyricism, Thomas’s music spans from pyrotechnic improvisations to delicate soundscapes.

With over five decades of performance experience, vocalist Janette West brings a lifetime of soul, swing, and stagecraft to every set. A beloved figure in the Seattle jazz scene, she fuses jazz standards with R&B and funk influences.

The Central Washington University Jazz Studies program is one of the Northwest's strongest incubators for young jazz talent. Led by faculty including Keith Karns, CWU jazz students are known for their tight ensemble work, inventive solos, and deep respect for the jazz tradition.

Led by adventurous saxophonist Kate Olson, the KO Quartet is a forward-thinking ensemble at the forefront of Seattle's experimental jazz movement. Known for her deeply expressive playing and genre-defying compositions.

Greg Williamson and Heather Chriscaden with guests Bill Anschell on piano and Brent Jensen on sax. Brushes and Bass focuses on the lighter side of acoustical jazz textures.

Free Fall is a chord-less quartet that in rare appearances over the years, has gained a reputation as a free spooling affair with four of the best jazz musicians this city has produced historically. The group features bassist Jeff Johnson, drummer John Bishop, saxophonist Rick Mandyck, and trumpeter Thomas Marriott.

This award-winning program boasts outstanding student musicians, regularly performing at Jazz Alley and the KNKX School of Jazz Program.

Trombonist and vocalist Audrey Stangland leads a genre-blending trio that mixes jazz, R&B, Latin, and funk influences. A graduate of Central Washington University, Audrey has gained recognition for her charismatic performances.

This vibrant ensemble from Sammamish High School brings energy and precision to every performance, continuing their tradition of musical excellence.

Chris Fagan is a jazz saxophonist whose career spans Los Angeles, New York, Europe, and Seattle, performing with artists such as David Murray, Jack McDuff, Dave Douglas, and Steve Miller. A former member of the Bill Warfield Big Band, he has released recordings including Lost Bohemia and Signs of Life and has appeared at venues like the Village Vanguard while collaborating across modern post-bop, free jazz, and Latin ensembles. His original compositions are inspired by travel to Brazil.

With a performance history spanning more than 30 years and having released 15 CDs, Pearl Django endures as one of the most highly regarded Hot Club style groups working today. Although the band’s roots are firmly in the music made famous by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, its extensive repertoire includes traditional jazz classics and original compositions. Pearl Django has performed at festivals, dances and nightspots throughout the U.S. and abroad. They have played at the prestigious Festival Django Reinhardt in Samois sur Seine and have been featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered.” The band’s signature style is marked by pristine and dexterous string work, colors of Bal Musette, the steady pulse of rhythm guitar and an unmistakable swing that delights audiences of all musical sensibilities. Throughout the years, Pearl Django has cultivated a devoted and enthusiastic following and they continue to play to packed houses wherever they perform.

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Roosevelt High School's jazz program is one of the best in the nation. Advanced student ensembles full of talent and swing.

Drummer Jerry Steinhilber is a seasoned performer with a Berklee pedigree and a wide-ranging approach to rhythm and interaction. A mainstay of Northwest jazz stages, known for crisp articulation, dynamic touch, and deep listening.

Pianist Danny Kolke is the heart and soul behind Boxley's and the JazzClubsNW organization. An electrifying performer influenced by Oscar Peterson and McCoy Tyner, Kolke delivers muscular lines and gospel-infused harmony with passion and finesse. Joined by bassist Michael Glynn and drummer Greg Williamson.

This elite student ensemble from Mount Si High School has performed at prestigious events like Essentially Ellington and Hot Java Cool Jazz. A thrilling, polished performance.

Seattle saxophonist Richard Cole is a master technician and soulful improviser who has been a fixture on the Northwest jazz scene for decades. Known for his bold tone and fluent command of both bebop and modern idioms, Cole's playing is equal parts fire and finesse. He has performed with jazz greats such as Randy Brecker, Dave Holland, and the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. Performing with Bill Anschell on keyboards, Chris Symer on bass, and Byron Vannoy on drums.

The Bellevue College Jazz Program has been enriching the lives of students and community members since the 1970’s. Many of the regions finest players and educators have been a part of the program at Bellevue College, and continue to do so through our annual jazz festival.

The Jazz Ensemble has performed at festivals throughout the United States, receiving top honors at the Lionel Hampton, Reno, and Fullerton Jazz Festivals. In addition to festivals, the band has performed in Paris, Berlin, Munich, Italy, Czech Republic, Peru, Beijing, Washington D.C., and most recently in New Orleans.