Tomorrow night, Wednesday, November 2, the Earshot Jazz Festival is hosting a special night of music as a tribute and fundraiser for trumpeter, composer and Cornish Jazz program founder Jim Knapp.

Knapp established the jazz program at Cornish College 40 years ago and continues to teach there today. His unique big band music appears on 3 CDs by the Jim Knapp Orchestra, Secular Breathing, On Going Home, and Things for Now. His latest project is Scrape, a small string orchestra plus harp and guitar. He compiled his personal approach to arranging in a book “Jazz Harmony.” Jim’s compositions and lessons have inspired a wide variety of musicians from Jim McNeely to Myra Melford. He was born in Chicago and graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana with a BA and MA in Music Composition.

The concert at The Triple Door will feature small ensembles of Cornish colleagues and friends performing works from his vast portfolio of songs. The second half will show off the Jim Knapp Orchestra (JKO), a 13- to 14-piece chamber jazz ensemble. The repertoire will be drawn from the band’s three recordings. The Jim Knapp Orchestra include trumpeters Vern Seilert, Brad Allison, and Jay Thomas, trombonist Jeff Hay, saxophonists Mark Taylor, Steve Tressler, Stuart MacDonald, Jim DeJoie, flautist Paul Taub, French horn player Tom Varner, pianist John Hansen, bassist Jon Hamar, and drummer Matt Jorgensen.

Knapp recently lost his right leg to diabetes and has incurred medical and home care expenses beyond his insurance coverage. The current fundraising goal is $30,000.

All ticket proceeds from the night will go directly to Jim’s health care fund. If you cannot make the event, you can also make a donation online by credit card at www.jimknappmusic.com/donate.

Wednesday, November 2
Triple Door, 7:30pm – Tribute to Jim Knapp
$24 general, $22 members/seniors,
$12 students BUY NOW

Category:
Seattle Jazz