Seattle Jazz Offering is honored to have received the inaugural John Gilbreath Service Excellence Award from Earshot Jazz. This recognition celebrates the spirit of service, community, and musical contribution that has guided Seattle Jazz Offering since its beginning at Tula’s.
We are grateful to Earshot Jazz for recognizing the work, the history, and the many musicians and listeners who helped make Seattle Jazz Offering more than a performance series — it became a place of connection, encouragement, and opportunity.
I want to thank Earshot Jazz and writer Andrew Luthringer for such a beautiful article honoring the Seattle Jazz Offering and our 15-year run at Tula’s (1999–2014). The piece truly captures the heart of what Paul Toliver and I set out to do — to build community through music and to celebrate the roots of jazz while creating space for all.
Our mission has always been inclusive — to honor the legacy of the great artists, many of them African American, whose creativity shaped this music we all love. Jazz was born from struggle, spirit, and resilience, but it belongs to everyone who values truth and expression. We’re fully aware that we won’t always be popular, but we’ll always strive to be truthful, fair, and faithful to the spirit of this music — honoring those who came before us and inspiring those yet to come.
We’re grateful for the John Gilbreath Service Excellence Award, and we’ll keep doing our part to make sure that the heroes of this music — past and present — are remembered, celebrated, and never replaced or forgotten.
This acknowledgment truly belongs to all the musicians, supporters, and community members who have kept the spirit of jazz alive in Seattle and beyond. Thank you for being part of this journey — it’s truly all about the music and those who cherish the musical experience.
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