Sponsored by KNKX. t a time when most Central District African American residents are displaced from the once primarily black community and their musical legacy forgotten, the Jackson Street Jazz Walk draws audiences together to celebrate, commemorate and build upon the rich musical history of the area. Remembering the past, it honors the music of its icons such as Ernestine Anderson, Ray Charles, and Quincy Jones, while giving a diverse and inclusive array of Seattle musical artists the opportunity to perform in this MUSIC, COMMUNITY, & LEGACY event.

September 6: Jazz Caliente Con Corazón | Hot Jazz With Heart - Come join us at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute for a night of sizzling jazz and Latin jazz music that will cast heat to all within earshot. Get ready to be swept off your feet by the passionate jazz melodies and infectious Latin rhythms. This event is all about celebrating the heart and soul of these unique artists, the music they create, and the cultures they represent. Featuring: Eduardo Mendonça, Jovino Santos Neto Quarteto, Alex Dugdale FADE Quintet, Eugenie Jones. There will be a VIP Red Dress Wine Tasting Reception 5-6:00 PM, featuring jazz guitarist Frank Kohl with Jeff Johnson on bass; an idyllic opportunity to meet the artists and buy your favorite CDs. (21+) Be prepared to feel the heat! Presented as a Music For A Cause event and benefiting a community service organization, the jazz walk begins with the September 6, 6-9:00 PM Red Dress Jazz Gala at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center. Get tickets here.

On September 7, 5-10:30PM, the Jackson Street Jazz Walk will present jazz, blues, Latin, and soul music on eight community stages in multiple restaurants and public spaces along historic Jackson Street, including Cheeky Café, Shewa-Ber Bar & Restaurant, Wonder Ethiopian Restaurant & Sports Bar, Pratt Fine Arts Plaza, Jackson Apartments, the Central Area Senior Center’s Green Dolphin Room, and Jackson Street Pizza Lounge.

Pratt Fine Arts Center will present its Annual Open House hands-on arts event on the same day, hosting four jazz walk bands in their outdoor plaza area, including Kwetu Band World Music and Todo Es on the Mural Stage; and Alma Vegas and Buena Vibra on the Court Stage.

On September 8, the Jazz Walk reaches beyond Jackson to at Queen Anne’s Fountainhead Gallery featuring Gail Pettis and Sugartime Trio.

While historically, African American music artists performed in the Central District because they were not allowed to perform in mainstream, white-owned clubs, today’s jazz walk is committed to building new legacies through a presentation of a diverse and inclusive array of today’s top musical artists.