KNKX records and produces exclusive Studio Sessions every month with world-class jazz and blues musicians from around the world and the Northwest. We also like to use Studio Sessions as an opportunity to showcase the talented local students participating in our award-winning School of Jazz program.
Studio Sessions typically last around an hour, but the exact program will depend on the artist. You can usually expect about 15-45 minutes of sound check and mingling, followed by 20-30 minutes of recorded studio session time. This consists of 2 to 3 songs followed by an interview from one of our hosts.
We'd love for you to join us for a session in our new Seattle studios next to Pike Place Market. Below you will find more information about each upcoming Studio Session along with a link to register.
Studio Sessions are very popular and are free to attend.
Please register for only one per three months so others can enjoy the show!
Francesco Crosara
Hosted by Abe Beeson
Friday, August 9, 2024, 1:00 PM
Francesco Crosara is a Seattle-based Italian jazz pianist, composer and educator, typically performing in a range of formats, from solo, duet, trio, quartet, or more. Originally from Milan, Italy, Francesco's music melds an impressive mix of jazz improvisation, a romantic vein from his classical training, along with Latin influences. His major piano influences are Chick Corea, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Herbie Hancock. His new album, Circular Motion, is out on Origin Records. From a lifetime of music creation, Francesco selected 10 of his compositions from the last 40 years with the idea of highlighting the nexus between early work, with its simplicity and youthful appeal, to later works where he expressed richer harmonic textures and possibilities.
SOLD OUT
Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra (SRJO) Combo
Hosted by Abe Beeson
Thursday, August 15, 2024, 1:00 PM
Celebrating its 30th season, SRJO is the Pacific Northwest’s premiere big band jazz orchestra. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Brockman, SRJO has gained recognition for its artistic excellence and contributions to the jazz community. SRJO is dedicated to preserving and advancing the tradition of large ensemble jazz through performances, educational programs, and collaborations with renowned artists. SRJO is known for its high-quality performances and commitment to free and affordable jazz education in the Greater Seattle area. Seven current members of the orchestra have been inducted into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame, as well as eight former SRJO members. SRJO have toured with legends, been mentored by icons, and released their own albums. Learn more about The Band. The orchestra's rich repertoire encompasses a wide range of styles and eras in jazz, from ragtime, classic swing, and bebop, to contemporary compositions and arrangements. The combo performing in our studios is Michael Brockman, saxophone; Dan Marcus, trombone; D'Vonne Lewis, drums; Phil Sparks, bass; and Randy Halberstadt, piano. The full SRJO band performs at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley August 27 and 28.
Bill Anschell
Hosted by Abe Beeson
Thursday, August 22, 2024, 1:00 PM
A Seattle native, Bill Anschell has studied, performed, and composed around the U.S. and abroad. His recordings have earned critical acclaim and widespread exposure, with several making Jazzweek’s national “Top 50” chart for radio airplay, and "best of" lists from nationwide publications and critics. Other accolades include being honored with Golden Ear Awards (Earshot Jazz), and being a 2016 inductee into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame. Bill is also well known as a jazz humorist, writing jazz vignettes and a monthly jazz etiquette column. His satirical essay, Careers in Jazz, is the all-time most-read piece on leading jazz website allaboutjazz.com, and was prominently featured in a Wall Street Journal story on jazz audiences. In 2014 he was a winner of the inaugural Paul Desmond Award, allaboutjazz.com’s celebration of the funniest jazz artists. His latest album is Improbable Solutions on Origin Records. Bill has been a great friend to KNKX over the years and we're thrilled to bring him into our new Seattle studios for a performance.
Kareem Kandi Trio with George Colligan and Ali Jackson
Hosted by Abe Beeson
Monday, August 26, 2024, 1:00 PM
A native of the Pacific Northwest, saxophonist Kareem Kandi is a performer, composer, and educator, in high demand for his talents both on and off the stage. He's also the host of KNKX's Jazz Northwest program (heard Sundays at 2 p.m.). Kareem is a versatile saxophonist and composer with strong roots in the traditions of jazz, blues, classical and funk, and has been performing throughout the U.S. and abroad for years, gaining attention from critics and audiences alike. While staying true to musical styles of the past, he also keeps an eye towards the future by composing original music as well as new arrangements of timeless songs from the great American songbook.
New York native George Colligan is not only one of the great jazz pianists of his generation, but he has earned an international reputation as a multi-instrumentalist (drums, trumpet, organ, keyboards), composer, accompanist, teacher, and bandleader, as well as popular blogger(jazztruth.blogspot.com). George has worked with a long list of jazz greats. His latest album is King's Dream, released in 2022.
Award-winning musician, composer, arranger, educator, and percussionist Ali Jackson has performed and recorded with a multitude of artists including Wynton Marsalis, Jon Batiste, Willie Nelson, Tony Bennett, Norah Jones, Eric Clapton, and Aretha Franklin. As a composer, his voice is unique in its command of the universal language of the groove and the power of thoughtful use of space — both rhythmically and harmonically. Ali's most recent masterworks include the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra-commissioned Living Grooves: A World in Jazz Rhythm and a ballet composed for the Alvin Ailey Dance Company titled r-Evolution, Dream.
SOLD OUT
Fred Wesley & The New JB Horns
Hosted by Stephanie Anne Johnson
Friday, September 6, 2024, 1:30 PM
Legendary bandleader, trombonist and author Fred Wesley is one of the forefathers of funk, still setting the standard with his jazz-funk band The New JBs. Together at its core for more than 30 years, the band is a living celebration of roots funk and more, performing such hits as “Pass the Peas” made with James Brown and the JBs including Maceo Parker, as well as selections from the P-Funk years and Fred’s own and others’ soulful jazz, funk and blues compositions. Born in Columbus, Georgia, and raised in Mobile, Ala., Fred began his career as a teenage trombonist with Ike and Tina Turner. He later was music director, arranger, trombonist and a primary composer for Brown from 1968-1975, then arranged for and played with Parliament-Funkadelic and Bootsy’s Rubber Band. Fred helped take funk to the next level with George Clinton and Bootsy Collins. He has recorded a dozen solo albums including the cult favorite House Party, and his latest, From the Blues and Back. Fred Wesley & The New JB Horns perform at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley September 5-8.
BrandonLee Cierley
Host Abe Beeson
Friday, September 20, 2024, 1:00 PM
Saxophonist BrandonLee Cierleywas born in Tacoma and relocated to Portland, Oregon. He effortlessly combines elements from sounds that have influenced his musical voice such as jazz, hip hop, Lofi and groove. BrandonLee Cierley's first two albums were acclaimed by Portland jazz station KMHD and All That Jazz. His most recent release is an EP entitled Letters to Japan, paying homage to his Japanese heritage. His third studio album will be released later this year. KNKX has hosted BrandonLee for past sessions and we're excited to welcome him to our new Seattle studios! He'll be joined in studio by Machado Mijiga on drums, Dylan Hayes on keys, and Moe Weisner on bass.