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. Mount Si has two "Jazz II" bands this year - both hard-swinging...

Roosevelt High School's jazz program is one of the best in the nation. Advanced student ensembles full of talent and swing. Tonight's band is under the direction of Michael Van Bebber...

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. Greta is joined by Brian Monroney (guitar), Clipper Anderson (bass), Mark Ivester (drums), and Alexey Nikolaev (sax).

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. Jay Thomas says there will be 40 fingers and four sets of lungs and lips working in tandem for your listening pleasure! That's a lot of tenor saxophones! Jay Thomas, a native of Seattle, is a versatile multi-instrumentalist (trumpet, flugelhorn, alto, tenor, soprano and flutes). His music could be described as earthy and lyrical with the blues and swing always in evidence. Jay grew up in the fertile atmosphere of Seattle's 60's jazz scene, sometimes subbing for Quincy Jones ... with Mark Taylor, Travis Ranney, Joel Steinke, Adam Kessler and Matt Williams.

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. Neri's trio features Rocky Martin on drums and Tony Lefaive on bass.

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. Leah is joined by Kyle Matsuta on keyboard.

Pianist and Music Educator Dan Taylor, renowned for his unique blend of improvisation, jazz, classical, and popular music, crafts a contemporary sound that is distinctly his own. His musical journey has been shaped by the influences of jazz luminaries such as Keith Jarrett, Brad Melhdau, Chick Corea, Chet Baker, Joshua Redman, Count Basie, Thad Jones, Maria Schneider and Darcy James Argue. He is joined by Anthony Channita on drums and Michael Olivola on bass.

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

Greg Schroeder (trombone) and Nathan Fisher (trumpet)

Greg is well known at the Jazz Port Townsend Festival, workshop, and Festival All Star Big Band. He has also performed in concert with Natalie Cole, Ernestine Anderson, The Seattle Symphony, the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, Les Brown's Band of Renown, and the Harry James Orchestra. He plays regularly with the Pony Boy All-Star Big Band.

A British-American trumpet player and composer, Nathan Fisher follows in the footsteps of the masters of jazz music, telling stories and painting soundscapes through his dynamic playing and innovative writing. A celebrated alumni of both Central Washington University and the University of North Texas, Nathan brings his extensive experience to bear as he invites his listeners to experience the joy, fun, and transformative power of music.

Bassist Moe Weisner is quickly emerging as a voice to watch in the Northwest jazz scene. He is known for his warm tone, melodic sensibility, and versatility, and is a graduate of Cornish College of the Arts. Haley Freedlund (trombone), Andrew Friedrich (guitar), and Chris Icasiano (drums) fill out the ensemble.

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. Thomas is joined by Gabe Hall-Rodrigues on piano and Steve Schermer on bass.

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. West is joined by Marty Tuttle (drums), Ed Weber (piano), and James Clark (bass).

The Central Washington University Jazz Studies program is one of the Northwest's strongest incubators for young jazz talent. 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. Olson is known for her deeply expressive playing and genre-defying compositions. She is joined by Tim Carey, Conner Eisenmenger, and Jacques Willis.

Brent Jensen, Bill Anschell and Heather Chriscaden with Brushes: Saxophonist Brent Jensen, pianist Bill Anschell, and bassist Heather Chriscaden unite three standout voices from the Pacific Northwest jazz scene. Jensen, a student of Lee Konitz, is an internationally recognized performer and recording artist whose albums have earned national airplay and critical acclaim. Anschell, a Seattle native and Golden Ear Award winner, has toured extensively, worked with Grammy-nominated vocalist Nnenna Freelon, and composed music featured in major TV productions. Chriscaden is a versatile bassist and educator who has performed worldwide across jazz, classical, and global traditions, with roots in the Northwest. Together, the trio delivers an engaging blend of lyricism, swing, and seasoned musical interplay.

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. Her trio features Jon Robinson on bass and Demarcus Baysmore on guitar.

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. Fagan continues to play regularly with the Pony Boy All-Star Big Band. Fagan will be joined by Greg Campbell on drums and Michael Marcus on bass.

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. Featuring Jim Char, guitar; Michael Gray, violin; David Lange, accordion; Tim Lerch, guitar; Rick Leppanen, bass.

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“The sax-bass-drums trio is hardly new, but today it rarely pulses with the power and precision steering of Jerry Steinhilber's crew. the gleaming lines and massive tone of Josh Cook’s tenor, the commandingly authoritative bass lines from King Dahl, and with Steinhilber's ear-opening orchestrations at the drums, Steinhilber and company do the tradition and themselves proud. ”

— Neil Tesser, Grammy award winning journalist and 
Jazz radio host

Pianist Danny Kolke is the heart and soul behind Boxley's and the JazzClubsNW organization. An electrifying performer influenced by Oscar Peterson, Gene Harris and Chick Corea, Kolke delivers muscular lines and gospel-infused harmony with passion and finesse. Kolke is joined by bassist Paul Gabrielson and drummer Greg Williamson. Gabrielson is a veteran of many high energy jazz groups both in the PNW and NY. Williamson, a consummate professional musician and instigator of the jazz arts, leads both the Pony Boy All-Star Big Band and the transparently tasty Brushes & Bass. The trio will be joined by a surprise assortment of special guests also performing at the Jazz Walk.

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 Dave Peterson on guitar, Dylan Hayes on keyboard, Chris Symer on the bass, and Brad Boal on the drums.

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.

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.