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.
-
Rock and jazz drummer Barrett Martin traces his musical evolution from his family's player piano to grunge rock to jazz and global rhythms. -
Jazz guitarist-vocalist Brian Nova reflects on his journey from a teenage rocker inspired by Herb Ellis to an in-demand sideman and bandleader. -
The progressive keyboard and drums duo DOMi & JD Beck release "Who Asked?", the much-awaited follow-up to their 2022 debut. -
From a San Diego garage to Hollywood films, soul jazz band The Greyboy Allstars look back on the makings of their signature laid-back sound. -
Montreal-based vocalist Dominique Fils-Aimé blends jazz, soul, and blues to explore creative freedom and foster human connection. -
Flugelhorn player Dimitri Matheny salutes the Pacific Northwest, his community, and his father on his 2022 album "Cascadia." -
For 50 years, faith, friendship and fun have fueled the musical journey of award-winning a cappella group Take 6. -
Pianist and composer Monty Alexander, now 82, discusses his Jamaican roots, his feel-good music, and the deep meaning behind his album "D-Day." -
Darryl Jenifer, bassist and co-founder of 1980s punk group Bad Brains, releases his second album of mostly-mellow modern jazz. -
Six-piece New York band Sammy Miller and the Congregation blends early jazz inspiration with a modern mission to spread joy and make audiences feel good.
