Julie Keefe Indigenous Big Band

In Seattle, two local radio shows on Daybreak Star Radio and KEXP, are joining the efforts to illuminate and celebrate the Indigenous jazz genius.

A scheme to entertain a four-year-old youngster in Spokane by playing a jazz album nearly three decades ago produced a cascade of aftereffects that culminated on stage in Olympia, Washington, this month with crescendos of horns and multiple standing ovations. During the debut of a 16-piece, all-Indigenous big band, the performers on stage hearkened even further back in history to celebrate the little-known, but long line of Native jazz musicians and big bands.