Girls Ellington Project Senior Shares Excitement for Upcoming Royal Room Performance

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On March 23, at the famed Royal Room in Columbia City, Seattle JazzED’s all-femme, all-city jazz band will take to the stage to perform the world premiere of Salish, a Jazz Suite by local musician, composer, and music educator Megan Vinther.

High school senior Anna McPherson is one of two graduating musicians in the Girls Ellington Project (GEP) and is thrilled to be performing the Salish suite. “I’m most excited to showcase the hard work of the GEP to not only friends and family, but also to the local Seattle jazz scene and local school bands interested in adding this piece to their libraries.”

At Snohomish High School, McPherson participates in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band 1, and is a Drum Major in the school’s marching band. A skilled leader, she also fronts a professional jazz quintet, the Snohomish Jazz Illusion, that has performed across Washington State at events such as the NW Folklife Festival and the Bellevue Jazz and Blues Series.

As the saxophonist auditions for college programs in the hopes of major in music education, she says of her GEP experience, “ it has granted me the ability to not only make music with some of the most talented musicians in our state, but also to expand my personal repertoire by exploring pieces of different genres and styles!”

You can catch McPherson performing with the Girls Ellington Project on Thursday, March 23, 6pm at the Royal Room. There is no cost to attend the event, but those requesting dinner reservations are required to pre-register their table. Learn more about the event and reserve dinner seating via the link here.

Jahnvi Madan Selected for Emerging Artists Showcase

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Seattle JazzED is excited to announce that Development Associate Jahnvi Madan has been selected to perform in the 2023 Washington Women in Jazz Emerging Artist Showcase.

Jahnvi is a musician, activist, and educator. Originally from Bellevue, she spent high school heavily involved in JazzED’s early programs and currently serves in the Development department fulfilling JazzED’s mission to create spaces for equitable music education in the community.

Created by pianist and composer Amy K Bormet in 2011, the Washington Women in Jazz Festival creates equitable performance opportunities for women while uplifting the image of the jazz community and drawing in dynamic new audiences. Bormet and her colleagues develop, promote, and lead a wide array of concerts, jam sessions, lectures, panels, discussions, and masterclasses.

Hosted in Washington DC, the emerging artist showcase is a highlight of the festival and features performances by outstanding women and non-binary jazz students from mid-Atlantic high schools and colleges. Jahnvi will take the stage on March 24th alongside veteran Washington Women in Jazz artists in an evening concert at DC’s historic music spot, Mr. Henry’s.

Please join us in celebrating Jahnvi for this achievement.

Music Expands in Schools and Community

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Several weeks ago, more than 100 elementary and middle school students from across the city of Seattle joined afterschool Foundations programs at their school sites led by Seattle JazzED. Foundations is the first step in our students’ musical journey, a year-long program where youth learn how to play an instrument and are taught the fundamentals of jazz as an art form.

In addition to leading the Foundations program at school partner sites, the organization is kicking off after-school Intro to Ukulele classes at four elementary and middle schools and began hosting Jazz Storytime where stories, songs, and other rhythms introduce babies and toddlers to literacy skills in a positive, social environment.

Seattle JazzED programming in the community is currently being hosted at the following locations in collaboration with schools and community-based organizations:

  • Bailey Gatzert Elementary School

  • Delridge Community Center

  • Highland Park Elementary and Preschool

  • Leschi Elementary School

  • Mary’s Place

  • Rainier Prep Charter School

  • St. Therese Catholic Academy

  • Sanislo Elementary School

  • South Shore PK-8 School

  • Summit Atlas Charter School

 

These expanded program offerings are an integral piece of Seattle JazzED’s efforts to increase access to music education across our community and instill creativity, courage, and compassion in learners of all ages. Moving forward, the organization will continue to expand this work to scholars across the region, building on new and existing partnerships in collaboration with educators and communities.

About Seattle JazzED Programs

Seattle JazzED partners with schools and communities to pursue equity in music for all kids. As a nonprofit organization, Seattle JazzED, offers sliding scale tuition and free loaner instruments to all youth participating in programming. Seattle JazzED’s program areas include early learning, afterschool, weekend, in-school clinics, assemblies, and professional development opportunities for music teachers. For more information, call (206)324.JAZZ or email info@seattlejazzed.org.