Abe Beeson
Jazz HostAbe grew up in Western Washington, a third generation Seattle/Tacoma kid. It was as a student at Pacific Lutheran University that Abe landed his first job at KNKX, editing and producing audio for news stories. It was a Christmas Day shift no one else wanted that gave Abe his first on-air experience which led to overnights, then Saturday afternoons, and started hosting Evening Jazz in 1998.
At the end of 2015, just as the campaign to save 88.5 began, Abe debuted his modern jazz show The New Cool. Saturday afternoons from 3 to 5 p.m., you can hear 21st-century jazz inspired and informed by the sounds of today: hip-hop, & funk, Electronic music and punk rock — the future of jazz has arrived.
His most memorable KNKX radio moments include introducing Dave Brubeck, Ray Charles, Oscar Peterson, and other greats; attending jazz festivals in Spain and Argentina with groups of KNKX jazz fans; and locking himself out of the station on a particularly cold winter night.
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Four seniors from Seattle Academy showcase original music and jazz fusion, highlighting guitarist Andy Coe's mentorship and a thriving Northwest jazz scene. -
Grammy-winning vocalist Kurt Elling and veteran pianist Joey Calderazzo have a knack for groundbreaking creativity, born from their palpable musical connection. -
Members of the Juanita High School jazz band saxophonist Grant Segesser and drummer Christian Klein share an hour of their favorite jazz with KNKX. -
Seattle instrumental group Polyrhythmics discuss how their distinct jazz-funk and Afrobeat sound is shaped by a 'two-way street' with their fans. -
Musician Roy McCurdy revisits his time in Cannonball Adderley's band and highlights a live recording of the saxophonist from Seattle’s historic jazz club, The Penthouse. -
Seattle's improvisational jazz funk group How Now Brown Cow release an entirely improvised live album, 'Don't Drink the Milk, It's Spoiled'. -
Guitarists Martin Taylor and Bruce Forman perform a set of swinging guitar duets in this exclusive KNKX studio session performance. -
Five-time Grammy-winning bassist Victor Wooten shares his journey to becoming the 'spine of the band,' and his philosophy on music as a catalyst for growth and connection. -
Pianist Lynne Arriale joins forces with a talented new rhythm section to deliver an intimate and spirited studio session on the heels of her 2024 record, Being Human. -
From Miles Davis influences to custom-built pedals, jazz cellist Jacob Szekely is pushing the cello beyond its traditional 300-year history.
