Studio Session Shorts

From Miles Davis influences to custom-built pedals, jazz cellist Jacob Szekely is pushing the cello beyond its traditional 300-year history.

Saxophonist Cliff Colon, keyboardist Jake Sele, and drummer D'Vonne Lewis create smooth, organ-led jazz arrangements of classic hits from Nirvana and Pearl Jam.

Alto saxophonist Vincent Herring heard jazz growing up, but he was more into pop music. With his Something Else! band, he blends the two styles into something fresh.

From St. Louis to Seattle, trumpeter Jun Iida follows in his koto-playing mother's footsteps, and turns a career change into a cross‑cultural musical journey.

Since welcoming pianist Orrin Evans to the group, The Bad Plus has embarked on an exciting musical journey that will come full circle during their farewell tour next year.

Grammy-winning composer and pianist Billy Childs draws inspiration from mentorship, and the 'alternate universes' various collaborations lend his projects.

With a name that serendipitously matches her career, vocalist Jazzmeia Horn feels she's living out her destiny, weaving together melody and emotion onstage.

After a near-fatal car accident, saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin channeled her recovery into creating the Grammy-nominated album Phoenix, a testament to her resilience.

Brought up in Seattle's grunge scene, multi-instrumentalist Jessica Lurie makes music that reflects boundless curiosity and a love for diverse musical traditions.

Since winning the prestigious Herbie Hancock Institute International Jazz competition in 2024, Chicago-born pianist Jahari Stampley continues to evolve as a pianist, composer and video game designer.

From ragtime roots to modern free jazz explorations, Spike Wilner's musical journey blossomed from mentorship and the permission to express his authentic musical self.

Guitarist Eric Krasno, drummer Stephen Moore, and organist Eric Finland celebrate women musicians across generations and musical genres on soulful record, 'Book of Queens.'

The Italian-born pianist, now living on Washington's Kitsap Peninsula, has found his musical home in the Pacific Northwest, where's he retired to focus on music-making.

In the KNKX studios in 2014, Carter explored her family heritage, uncovered early American field recordings, and highlighted how ancestry to shapes our lives today.

John Pizzarelli, skilled guitarist and vocalist, has collaborated with pop icons like James Taylor, blending timeless jazz standards and modern popular song.

A rebellious decision to ditch music school and tour with a saxophone legend was the catalyst for trumpeter Terell Stafford's illustrious career in jazz.

Leading harpist in jazz today, Brandee Younger, is carrying on trailblazer Dorothy Ashby's legacy as she ushers the tradition of jazz harp forward.

During two visits to the KNKX studios, the late Roy Hargrove shared his influences, a humbling bandstand moment, and an uncanny relationship he had with a Seattle piano.

Formed in 1973, The Headhunters have been jazz fusion pioneers for more than fifty years, blending improvisation with funk, rock, and world music sounds.

Jazz clarinetist Anat Cohen highlights her passion for choro, an emotive musical form that combines the musical traditions of indigenous Africans and Western Europeans living in Brazil.

Despite a comical mishap surrounding the Japanese release of his debut record, Larry Fuller has had a noteworthy jazz career as a sideman and trio leader.

In her mid 20s, saxophonist Grace Kelly landed the opportunity of a lifetime: To play in the live studio band for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Delvon Lamarr, leader of the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, started out as the drummer for Seattle organist Joe Doria. One night, he decided to try Doria's organ. It opened up a whole new world.

Hawaiian ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro strummed his way to international fame when a 2006 viral video catapulted him into the spotlight.

By passionately studying and preserving the legacy of jazz masters, pianist Emmet Cohen has honed his reverent, yet distinctive, musical voice.