Abe Beeson
New Cool & 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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A septet of mostly graduating seniors from Bainbridge High School’s jazz band play with confidence and passion in this KNKX studio session performance. -
Jacqueline Tabor and Marina Albero bond over the music of Billie Holiday and Nina Simone in the KNKX studios. -
Barrett Martin grew up on jazz but also made his mark on the '90s grunge scene. His travels further influenced his music, but he still calls Olympia home. -
Luna Waller, vibraphone player and more at Snohomish High School, shares her favorite jazz with KNKX listeners. -
Globally inspired Seattle jazz trio Duende Libre honors their heroes and celebrates a new album in this KNKX Studio Session performance. -
Joey Alexander's latest tour brought his trio plus trumpeter Theo Croker to Seattle and the KNKX studios. -
Electronic musician Footshooter utilizes jazz musicians to give life to broken beats on his new album The Oasis. -
Tenor saxophone player with Tacoma's Bellarmine Prep jazz band, Sidney Mbugua shares his favorite jazz with KNKX listeners. -
New self-titled album puts Knats on the list of England's top jazz innovators -
Seattle's world class Latin-Mediterranean guitar group shares another great live session in the KNKX studios.
