John Gilbreath: Jazz Guru…

Illustration by Shannon Perry

 

By Deanne Savage

You always know, when you are in the presence of  a Guru –  they exude confidence, elegance and oodles of knowledge; combined with a humble spirit. I felt the Force, meeting John Gilbreath for the first time this week.

John is an artist and craftsman with entrepreneurial flair – combine this with an amazing work ethic and you get  a caretaker who makes his visions come to fruition. Not only is he a contractor and stone sculptor; he is also the Executive Director of the Earshot Jazz Festival, DJ/Host of KEXP Radio’s “Jazz Theater” (90.3), Sunday nights into Monday mornings, from 1am-3am. And a personal favorite, he hosts “The Caravan” on KBCS (91.3), weekdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.(I tune in every time I drive south – it’s a great program).

Gilbreath’s fascination with jazz, began as a private one. A kid, alone in his room, pretending to DJ jazz greats like Duke Ellington. He didn’t really get his jazz feet wet, until he began volunteering for the Earshot Jazz Festival in 1990, as a volunteer usher. For the past 25 years he has fully immersed himself into the Seattle jazz scene as the Executive Director of The Earshot Jazz Festival.

John’s work has helped to make Seattle one of the world’s foremost jazz cities. Earshot is touted as, “Seattle’s most important annual jazz event” — DownBeat ;  with more than 250 artists presented in three weeks of concerts, education programs and related events in Seattle. The Seattle Times proclaims Earshot to be “One of the best jazz festivals in America”

In addition to the festival, Earshot sponsors over 100 jazz related performances in the Seattle area per year. A monthly Art of Jazz series in collaboration with the Seattle Art Museum and presentation of “Duke Ellington Sacred Music” concerts, a holiday tradition featuring big band, gospel choir and soloists using musical scores acquired by Earshot Jazz. Then add a monthly Earshot Jazz magazine to John’s list of “to-do’s”… we are truly blessed to have him take the time to curate the Manieri Collection at our Anacortes Public Library!

It is truly amazing to imagine all of the lives, this generous Jazz Guru has touched…

Thank you, John.

Resources and Links:

Earshot Jazz Festival

http://www.earshot.org/index.html

KEXP Radio:

https://www.kexp.org/dj/JohnGilbreath

KBCS Radio:

The Caravan

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JOHN GILBREATH:

  • City Arts Online, article by Jonathan Zwickel, Sept. 2014

http://cityartsonline.com/articles/more-swing-ding

  • All About Jazz, “John Gilbreath: Within Earshot” – Really great article/interview,  by Lloyd Peterson, Jr. , 2010

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/john-gilbreath-within-earshot-by-lloyd-n-peterson-jr.php

  • The Stranger, “Jazz Won’t Stay Home”, article by Dave Segal,   Sept. 9,2014

http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2014/09/23/jazz-wont-stay-at-home-an-interview-with-earshot-jazz-festival-executive-director-john-gilbreath

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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