We first encountered talented pianist Dylan Hayes performing with a trio at Centrum's Jazz Pt. Townsend camp this Summer, and we knew this young man was ready for the KNKX studios. Hayes is in his final year studying jazz at Cornish College in Seattle, and he brought a fellow student and a few friends in town for a sonic display of his skills as a player, bandleader and composer. He's been working with his own big band and the large ensemble led by Jim Knapp, as well as various small groups around town for a couple years. This Studio Session blended Hayes' talents on acoustic and electric keyb ..read more

It was a fun jazz session with a great group of students, which included two different schools and a variety of age groups. The energy brought by some of the young lions melded nicely with the older aesthetic. The first song by Sun Ra titled “El is a Sound of Joy.” Mentor Keyboardist Josh Rawlings was happy to hear the group was already doing the song and encouraged them to “get weirder on it” and to explore the dynamic range and tempo. Next the group tackled “Angel Eyes” by Earl Bent and Matt Dennis with an arrangement by Rawlings. The final tune the group played “Climbing Stairs” written by ..read more

We welcomed an energetic and skilled high school combo into our studios with Mountlake Terrace. Band members included leader Ethan Pyke on trombone, Benjamin Leonard on tenor sax, Henry Smith-Hunt on trombone, Gian Neri on guitar, Andrew Vinther on bass, Josh Setala on drums and Dimitrio Neri on piano. In discussing inspirations, Pyke thanked his band directors and his grandmother who is a devout musician, Pianist Neri pointed to his brothers, Smith-Hunt said his band directors, Guitarist Neri picked Wynton Marsalis due to his humility, Leonard pointed to his current high school, Vinther said ..read more

The students from Tahoma High School in Maple Valley, Wash. performed effortlessly in our studios for their School Of Jazz studio performance. Led by trumpeter and mentor Bobby Medina, the group kicked off their performance with a rendition of “Girl From Ipanema.” Next, the group performed “Just The Two Of Us” by American singer-songwriter Bill Withers. The group listed their influences that ranged from their parents to jazz legends. The group finished their performance playing the jazz standard “Killer Joe” composed by Benny Golson. Matthew Cole directs the band at Tahoma High School. Band Bo ..read more

Jazz musicians are always learning, and thanks to Seattle's nonprofit Jazz Night School program, students ages 10-74 are getting that education. An all-star ensemble mentored by trumpet and sax player Jay Thomas showed us how fun the early stages of learning jazz can be at any age ..read more

With one of the area's finest trumpet players acting as mentor, the all-star ensemble from Ballard High School's award-winning jazz program proved that these young musicians belong in any conversation about the northwest's finest teenage jazz bands ..read more

We were so please to have the Mercer Island High School Combo for a School Of Jazz studio performance. Not only did they play some challenging works – they were also able to let us on their musical influences as well as why they love jazz. Band teacher Brian Lawrence described how he chose the tunes for the session. You can catch Dan Marcus preforming with EntreMundos and well as coaching the Seattle Youth Symphony. Musicians: Trumpet: Brennan Tien Trumpet: Justin Lesko Alto Saxophone: Cindy Huang Piano: Harry Brown Bass: Grady Short Drums: Otto Sharples Trombone (Mentor): Dan Marcus ..read more

Located between the cities of Seattle and Tacoma, Decatur High School in Federal Way is in prime position to soak up all the arts activities on offer. And these teenagers are creating their own art as part of a successful and still-growing jazz program ..read more

Asked about learning jazz in the red-hot Northwest scene, Interlake High School junior Kenji Wagner told us the best part is sharing jazz with the community of teenage musicians he encounters ..read more

Snohomish High School's band program celebrates it's 90th year this year, and the allstar jazz ensemble showed us how talented their musicians are. With saxophonists Kate Olson and Brent Jensen in mentor and instructor roles, it's clear there's some fantastic jazz blowing down from the north ..read more