Seattle’s Earshot Jazz Festival, marking its 32nd iteration this year, is the latest in the ever-growing string of jazz festivals to move its programming entirely online. The 2020 festival will take place October 16–November 8 in a digital streaming format.
The four weekends of livestream performances will open October 16 with a trio concert by saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, harpist Brandee Younger, and bassist Dezron Douglas. Other performers will include pianist Marina Albero; saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin; a father-and-son duo by bassist John and pianist Gerald Clayton; saxophonist Amy Denio; guitarist Bill Frisell; pianist Fred Hersch; violinist Ben Hunter; vocalist Johnaye Kendrick; pianist Jovino Santos Neto; and trumpeter Ahamefule J. Oluo, who is also the festival’s 2020 artist in residence.
More artists will be announced soon.
In addition, Earshot is soliciting submissions from the jazz community. The festival has transitioned “Jazz: The Second Century”—its annual juried series—to feature pre-recorded audio and video presentations. Artists are invited to create a response to the question, “What shapes does jazz take in the year 2020?” Submission is open until August 31.
The festival is also requesting panel proposals for its humanities component, which like all of the festival will transfer to the online environment this year. Submissions that explore topics of racial, social, and gender justice are particularly encouraged. The deadline for these proposals is Monday, September 7.
Visit the Earshot Jazz website for more information about the 2020 festival.