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Free jazz at Dr. Blanche Lavizzo Park

Songs of Unsung Seattle, a jazz series funded by the Arts in Parks program, continues its programming through September 23 in Dr. Blanche Lavizzo Park. The series presents stories and music inspired by Seattle’s history of social justice and art, performed by a jazz quintet. Featuring Steve Griggs on saxophone, the quintet also includes Jay Thomas on trumpet, Susan Pascal on vibraphone, Milo Petersen on guitar, and Phil Sparks on bass.

Concerts are free and take place every Saturday through September 23rd from 1 – 2:30pm at the park (2100 S. Jackson St.)  There will be no concert on Labor Day weekend.

August 26: A Cup of Joe Brazil
This program imagines saxophonist Joe Brazil’s community building through music in the face of civil rights injustice. Brazil was the first professor of Black Music at the University of Washington.

September 9: Blues for John T. Williams
Native carver John T. Williams is honored in this program with stories and music about Seattle Police Department use of force.

September 16: Sound in Stone
The quintet features Bernie Jacobs singing poetry by James Washington Jr., a prominent Seattle painter and sculptor.

September 23: Panama Hotel Jazz
Inspired by the history of Seattle’s Panama Hotel, this program combines narration and music about injustices endured by Japanese Americans during World War II.

See you there!