BIMA is proud to partner once again with Seattle’s Earshot Jazz to as part of the most prestigious jazz festival in the Pacific Northwest. Earshot Jazz dedicates itself year-round to cultivating a vibrant, diverse jazz community—championing artistic innovation, honoring the rich history and integrity of the genre, and fostering meaningful connections between musicians and audiences through the annual Earshot Jazz Festival.

The BIMA Annual Within/Earshot Jazz Festival is more than a concert series—it’s a dynamic, living conversation where sound, story, and visual art intersect. For the entire month of October, the Frank Buxton Auditorium transforms into a creative studio, a place where jazz musicians, storytellers, and visual artists come together to explore and celebrate the many facets of jazz.

Each artist brings their own unique voice to the festival, honoring jazz’s deep roots and its ever-evolving future. Some lean into poetic, modern grooves that push boundaries and invite reflection; others revive the exuberance of speakeasy-era swing, capturing the spirit of a bygone era. The pulse of Brazilian folk traditions adds rich textures and rhythms, while fresh voices from the Northwest highlight jazz’s ongoing innovation and cultural resonance.

Whether you attend a single event or immerse yourself in the full month-long experience, you’ll discover a vibrant tapestry of music, culture, and storytelling that showcases jazz’s timeless appeal and its power to inspire across generations and communities.

Jazz = Culture: Storytelling - October 3rd at 7pm -- Lecture

Gail Pettis Quartet - October 4th at 7pm -- Concert

Round Midnight (1986) - October 7th at 7pm -- Film

Chase Elodia - October 10th at 7pm -- Concert

Ne Plus Ultra Jass Orchestra - October 12th at 5pm -- Concert

Mo Better Blues (1990) - October 14th at 7pm -- Film

Jazz with Jim: Jazz Gems Past & Present - October 16th at 7pm -- Lecture

The Cotton Club (1984) - October 21st at 7pm -- Film

Batuque: Journey through Brazil - October 24th at 7pm -- Concert

Mark Lewis Quartet - October 25th at 7pm -- Concert

Event sponsors:
2025 Sponsors: Prism, Realogics, Steve Davis, Earshot Jazz, Cascade PBS, KNKX, COBI, Kitsap County

Artwork: William Ingham, Blue Prime (detail), 1988, Oil on canvas, 59.2”h x 55.2”w, BIMA Permanent Art Collection, Gift of Kemp & Barbara Crawford. Photo by Art Grice.