Neil Welch

Celebrating the release of saxophonist/composer Neil Welch’s new album the ink around it, with 3 unique performers: Nat Evans (gongs/stringed instruments for improviser), Neil Welch (solo sax), and the composition Concepción Picciotto (for 11 member ensemble).

Tonight’s music will explore the vibrant, lush abundance of the natural world and the human interference within the biodiversity that threatens our one, beautiful earth-home. The event will feature three sonic episodes, including: composer Nat Evans (gongs/stringed instruments for improviser) to open, Neil Welch (solo sax) performing Puhpowee, and an 11-piece ensemble performing Concepción Picciotto, a long-form work dedicated to a homeless peace activist who worked for nuclear disarmament.

The word Puhpowee comes from the Potawatomi Native American language, and translates as “the force which causes mushrooms to push up from the earth overnight.” I try to take the listener through my sonic interpretation of the fungi bursting forth, spreading their spores, living and dying. Throughout the piece, the listener will hear multiphonic bursts of color that signify Puhpowee, interspersed by quarter note melodic passages, representing the fungi mycelium with their hyphae threads connecting the mushroom bursts. A heavy ostinato enters mid-way through the piece, representing the beasts that trample the ground, most forcefully that of the human.

Concepción Picciotto is titled, composed and dedicated to the homeless peace activist who lived on the street in front of the White House from 1981-2016. She held what is thought to be the longest continuous protest in world history, working to raise awareness of endless US-driven wars, with a particular focus on nuclear disarmament. This 26+ minute work is scored for saxophone section, string quartet, rhythm section and mezzo soprano vocalist, featuring a stellar lineup of Seattle’s top-tier creative musicians. It is a work exploring myriad territory, from ethereal soundscapes to driving jazz rhythms, percussive undulations and more. It was inspired by her life and written in her memory.

Marcin Pączkowski – conductor
Danielle Reutter-Harrah, mezzo-soprano voice and soloist
Kate Olson, soprano sax
Jacob Zimmerman – alto sax
Neil Welch – tenor sax / soloist
Peter Daniel – baritone sax
Janna Webbon, violin
Heather Bentley, viola
Ebony Miranda, cello
Abbey Blackwell, bass
Christopher Icasiano, drums, cymbals, metal objects

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS: Following current mandates from King County & WA State public health officials, all audience members at this performance will be required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status. Proof of vaccination status and/or recent negative COVID test result will be required for entry. Additionally, chair seating will be arranged to maintain social distancing; people who live together may group chairs accordingly. Windows will be open, weather permitting.

Young Scientist + Marc Barreca

Young Scientist, Seattle’s pioneer electronic music group, formed in the 1970’s, emerges from the laboratory for an evening of immersive modular electronic music — with Marc Barreca, celebrating the release of his latest CD, The Empty Bridge.

Young Scientist was formed in Seattle in the mid-1970’s by James Husted, Roland Barker and Marc Barreca, performing for several years with analog synths, tape loops and keyboards. Following re-releases of 1970s material on the German labels Bureau B and Vinyl on Demand, the group has reunited for performances with Marc and James joining forces for this Chapel evening of evolving, transportive electronics.

Marc Barreca, veteran Seattle electronic music composer, will be performing electro-acoustic loop-based compositions with modular synthesizer synths and samplers. He has been making electronic music in Seattle since the mid-1970s, releasing a number of projects over the years on the Hawaii-based Palace of Lights label. His most recent releases include the solo CDs The Empty Bridge, From the Gray and the Green, and Shadow Aesthetics, two CDs with Steve Peters and K. Leimer as Three Point Circle, a vinyl collaboration with K. Leimer, Chains of Being on the Spanish label, Abstrakce Records, and a vinyl release on Scissor Tail Records, The Sleeper Wakes.

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS: Following current mandates from King County & WA State public health officials, all audience members at this performance will be required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status. Proof of vaccination status and/or recent negative COVID test result will be required for entry. Additionally, chair seating will be arranged to maintain social distancing; people who live together may group chairs accordingly. Windows will be open, weather permitting.

Earshot: Ann Reynolds

Best known for her Cuban jazz compositions performed by her group Clave Gringa, in this concert Ann Reynolds explores her jazz roots with her original compositions honoring Mary Lou Williams, Geri Allen, Carla Bley, and Christine Jensen. Joining her are Kelsey Mines (bass) and Christopher Icasiano (drums). Presented by Earshot Jazz Festival.

Earshot Jazz COVID-19 Policy: For all in-person events, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours required for venue entry. Masks required indoors.

Cellista: Pariah + noisepoetnobody

Cellista is a Los Angeles based cellist and performance artist whose work emphasizes narrative, multimedia, and cross-genre collaborations. Her latest composition is Pariah — an immersive audio album that fluidly weaves together classical, pop, and hip-hop elements to create a new dialect. The self-released operetta, presented as an album and live dance film, takes the listener on a journey through Pariah’s banishment from Cloture, a fictional city whose residents punish Pariah for her passion for truth and justice.

The event begins with an overture by noisepoetnobody followed by LA’s Zero Collective. A prologue performance of moody noise covers by Joshua Icban and Cellista precedes Pariah.

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS: Following current mandates from King County & WA State public health officials, all audience members at this performance will be required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status. Proof of vaccination status and/or recent negative COVID test result will be required for entry. Additionally, chair seating will be arranged to maintain social distancing; people who live together may group chairs accordingly. Windows will be open, weather permitting.

Earshot: Erika Dohi

Presented by Earshot Jazz Festival

Erika Dohi is a “virtuosic” (NY Times) “barrier-defying” (Mix Magazine) pianist/electronicist who improvises boldly with classical skills, as on her solo debut I, Castorpollux and in Wadada Leo Smith’s Golden Quintet. Seattle friend Kate Olson joins her for part of the performance.

Earshot Jazz COVID-19 Policy: For all in-person events, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test taken within 48 hours required for venue entry. Masks required indoors. Chairs will be spaced for social distancing (households may group together). Windows open weather permitting.

Earshot: Tiptons & Correo Aéreo

Co-presented by Earshot Jazz Festival & Nonsequitur.

¿Mujer o Bruja? (Woman or Witch?) is a new multimedia collaboration between the Tiptons Sax Quartet and award-winning Latin American music duo Correo Aéreo (Abel Rocha and Madeleine Sosin, who also conceived and directs the show) and digital artist Jing ‘Jude’ Dai.

Award-winning all-female ensemble the Tiptons Sax Quartet (Amy Denio, Jessica Lurie, Tina Richerson and Sue Orfield on soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxes, flute, clarinet, piano, accordion, bass guitar, percussion, electronics, voices) is collaborating for the first time with Correo Aéreo (Abel Rocha and Madeleine Sosin on guitar, cuatro, jarana, Venezuelan harp, violin, maracas, quijada, bombo, voices), a multi-instrumental duo recognized internationally for their mastery in interpreting and creating music based on Latin American cultures.  Digital artist Jing ‘Jude’ Dai is orchestrating the visual narrative for the ensemble’s original music and narration.

Inspired by Riane Eisler’s book The Chalice & The Blade and based on the archeological research of Maria Gimbutas and many other scholars, ¿Mujer O Bruja? draws us into rich sonic and visual worlds, looking at the history of feminine cosmology based upon birth, life, death and re-generation, and connected deeply with Nature and our own true nature as nature within the web of life. The project examines the effects of Dominator systems, the Mexican/American border, and includes a surreal cabaret, a story about a Mayan heroine and her bees, and other surprises.

¿Mujer O Bruja? tells an evolutionary myth for our times about the mysteries of transformation and the possibilities of Gylany, or Partnership. Partnership with our living Mother Earth, each other and all beings, our kin in the cosmic web of life.

This project is made possible in part by support from 4Culture, Earshot Jazz, Nonsequitur and Seattle Composers Alliance. We give grateful acknowledgement to Seattle Drum School and to Kenyon Hall for rehearsal space support.

Earshot Jazz COVID-19 Policy: For all in-person events, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test taken within 48 hours required for venue entry. Masks required indoors. Chairs will be spaced for social distancing (households may group together). Windows open weather permitting.

Earshot: Tiptons & Correo Aéreo

Co-presented by Earshot Jazz Festival & Nonsequitur.

¿Mujer o Bruja? (Woman or Witch?) is a new multimedia collaboration between the Tiptons Sax Quartet and award-winning Latin American music duo Correo Aéreo (Abel Rocha and Madeleine Sosin, who also conceived and directs the show) and digital artist Jing ‘Jude’ Dai.

Award-winning all-female ensemble the Tiptons Sax Quartet (Amy Denio, Jessica Lurie, Tina Richerson and Sue Orfield on soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxes, flute, clarinet, piano, accordion, bass guitar, percussion, electronics, voices) is collaborating for the first time with Correo Aéreo (Abel Rocha and Madeleine Sosin on guitar, cuatro, jarana, Venezuelan harp, violin, maracas, quijada, bombo, voices), a multi-instrumental duo recognized internationally for their mastery in interpreting and creating music based on Latin American cultures.  Digital artist Jing ‘Jude’ Dai is orchestrating the visual narrative for the ensemble’s original music and narration.

Inspired by Riane Eisler’s book The Chalice & The Blade and based on the archeological research of Maria Gimbutas and many other scholars, ¿Mujer O Bruja? draws us into rich sonic and visual worlds, looking at the history of feminine cosmology based upon birth, life, death and re-generation, and connected deeply with Nature and our own true nature as nature within the web of life. The project examines the effects of Dominator systems, the Mexican/American border, and includes a surreal cabaret, a story about a Mayan heroine and her bees, and other surprises.

¿Mujer O Bruja? tells an evolutionary myth for our times about the mysteries of transformation and the possibilities of Gylany, or Partnership. Partnership with our living Mother Earth, each other and all beings, our kin in the cosmic web of life.

This project is made possible in part by support from 4Culture, Earshot Jazz, the 2021 South Arts Creative Residency Award, Nonsequitur and Seattle Composers Alliance. We give grateful acknowledgement to Seattle Drum School and to Kenyon Hall for rehearsal space support.

Earshot Jazz COVID-19 Policy: For all in-person events, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test taken within 48 hours required for venue entry. Masks required indoors. Chairs will be spaced for social distancing (households may group together). Windows open weather permitting.

CSTMR, Dave Abramson/Lori Goldston, Amelia Coulter/Noel Kennon

CSTMR, is the defiant free-improv duo of guitarist Tom Scully and drummer Casey Adams. They will present an audio-video extrapolation, improvising in conjunction with extended footage from their sound-film The Endless Responsibility of Looking at My Face, which premieres Oct. 20th as part of the Earshot Jazz Festival.  


Stalwarts and champions of Seattle experimental music, drummer Dave Abramson (Diminished Men, Climax Golden Twins, Telescoping) and cellist Lori Goldston (solo, Earth, Torben Ulrich) will continue their deep listening duo explorations.

Trombonist and electro-acoustic agitator Amelia Coulter will be joined by Noel Kennon on viola and assorted sounds.

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS: Following current mandates from King County & WA State public health officials, all audience members at this performance will be required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status. Proof of vaccination status and/or recent negative COVID test result will be required for entry. Additionally, chair seating will be arranged to maintain social distancing; people who live together may group chairs accordingly. Windows will be open, weather permitting. Audience should be aware that some performers will be playing wind instruments.

Earshot: Parker/Drake/Nicholson

Co-presented by Earshot Jazz Festival & Nonsequitiur

Two towering figures of liberating jazz exploration — bassist William Parker and drummer Hamid Drake, who have collaborated with generations of innovators — with poetry and dance from Patricia Nicholson Parker.

Earshot Jazz COVID-19 Policy: For all in-person events, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test taken within 48 hours required for venue entry. Masks required indoors. Chairs will be spaced for social distancing (households may group together). Windows open weather permitting.

r beny / Leandrul / What We Talk About

Doors: 7:30 / Music: 8:00

Basement State presents r beny, Leandrul, and What We Talk About for an immersive evening of textural ambient soundscapes and melodic waves of sound. Interludes and Ambience: Planar Drift. Live Visuals: Former.

r beny is an ambient electronics project from Northern California-based musician Austin Cairns. It is an outlet for the processing of the volatile conditions of emotion and nature, primarily expressed through the use of synthesizers, samplers, and other electronic instruments. His most recent release, we grow in a gleam, is a 20-minute long deep listening experience self-released on BandCamp in April 2021.

Leandrul is Crosby Morgan, a folk artist and electronic music producer currently based in Seattle. She writes, produces, and performs her original songs, relying heavily on the vocal textures she creates, along with her poignant lyrics over a deeply melodic palette of synths and real instruments. Her latest release from March 2021, Psychosis of Dreams, is a chronological aural journey through her personal experience with mental illness. Crosby plans to release her next album, Exiled From Earth, in mid 2022.

Seattle-based What We Talk About utilizes synthesizers of all sorts to conjure up hazy illusions of past light and time. Drawing heavily upon his waking dream state, What We Talk About aims to create a space in which to bask in the golden aura of what we can no longer have. He is a co-founder of Basement State.

Basement State is a Seattle-based live electronic music collective that curates in-person and online events where resident artists and guests perform LIVE original music across an array of electronic genres. Their first compilation release, Vol. I, was released on cassette and in digital form in August 2021. 

SAFER SPACE: We do not tolerate actions or displays of sexism, bigotry, racism, transphobia, homophobia, misogyny, and ableism. Any form of harassment will involve immediate removal from the show and a lifetime ban from future Basement State events. 

PHONE /TALKING: Out of respect for performers and other attendees, please silence and avoid using phones and minimize all conversations with other guests during performances.

COVID-19 Protocols: To help ensure the health and safety of those in attendance and vulnerable populations in our community, we will be requiring proof of vaccination and a mask for entry (can be a vaccination card or photo of vaccination card). A face mask covering your nose and mouth must be worn while in the building. You will be asked to leave without refund if these rules are not followed. Additionally, we will be limiting attendance to help provide space for social distancing. Because of this, we HIGHLY recommend purchasing a pre-sale ticket to guarantee admission.