Jazz Harmony Project: Celebrating Community and Culture with Gary Hammon and ARTE NOIR
Fri, Aug 09
|Midtown Square Plaza
Free with RSVP
Date + Location
Aug 09, 2024, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Midtown Square Plaza, 2301 E Union St, Seattle, WA 98122, USA
About the Event
Jazz Harmony Project: Celebrating Community and Culture with Gary Hammon and ARTE NOIR
The vibrant heart of Seattle's Central District will pulse with the soulful sounds of jazz on August 9th as the Jazz Harmony Project, in collaboration with ARTE NOIR, presents an evening of live music and community celebration. This inaugural event, set to take place from 7 PM to 9 PM, promises to be an unforgettable experience, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Central District while providing a platform for artistic expression and community engagement. Attendees will also enjoy complimentary juice provided by Avole Coffee.
A Collaboration with ARTE NOIR
ARTE NOIR, an organization dedicated to uplifting and preserving Black art, culture and history, joins forces with the Jazz Harmony Project to bring this event to life. The collaboration aims to celebrate the cultural vibrancy of Seattle's Central District and create a space where music, art, and community converge.
Featuring Gary Hammon and His Band
The highlight of the evening will be a performance by the renowned saxophonist Gary Hammon and his exceptional band. Gary Hammon, a Seattle native, has a storied career that began when he took up the tenor saxophone as a junior at Garfield High School. His journey continued as he joined the first cohort of Black jazz students admitted to the New England Conservatory in 1969. After decades of performing with world-renowned musicians, Gary returned to Seattle, where he now teaches jazz at Ballard High School.
Featured Musicians:
- Mike Eskenazi: A talented musician, educator, composer, and guitarist. Mike is an alumnus of Ballard High School and The New School in New York City. He has performed with notable artists such as Jimmy Owens and Charles Tolliver and currently freelances as a musician in New York City.
- Carter Yasutake: A skilled trumpeter and pianist, Carter is an alumnus of Garfield High School and The New School in New York City. He has played with prominent artists like Macklemore, Fred Wesley and the JB’s, Mary Lambert, and LCD Soundsystem.
Vision and Mission
The Jazz Harmony Project and ARTE NOIR share a common vision: to ensure that displaced African-American and other culturally ethnic groups continue to live and thrive in the Central District of Seattle and other communities, contributing to the region's viability. Their mission is to honor, promote, and advocate for the recognition and preservation of the overall contributions of these communities to the culture, history, and quality of life in the region.
This event is more than just a concert; it is a celebration of heritage, community, and the enduring spirit of jazz. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a unique cultural experience that highlights the best of Seattle's artistic and community spirit.
Join us for an evening of music, history, and community at the Jazz Harmony Project. The event is free and open to the public. Let's celebrate together!
As part of ARTE NOIR’s summer focus on Black Thought for Black Futures, we recognize the importance of preserving our artistic and musical traditions as a way to envision our future.
Generously supported in part by The Maven Collaborative, this program is part of a series of community activations that promote artistic creativity through music, as a critical tool for stimulating thought. The Maven Collaborative is dedicated to fully dismantling gender and racial inequality within our economy. ARTE NOIR has partnered in this venture as we strive to create an expanded future for Black artists and the Black community.