Seattle

Seattle Jazz
Legends

Preserve. Promote. Elevate.

Seattle's jazz story is told through its artists — vocalists and instrumentalists who came up through the Central District, carried the city's sound onto national stages, and inspired the generations that followed. Explore each legend below.

Drummer performing

Clarence Acox

Drums
Jazz band performing live

Bill Anschell

Piano
Jazz vocalist performing

Ernestine Anderson

Vocals
Jazz vocalist with vintage microphone

Mildred Bailey

Vocals
Keyboardist performing under stage lights

Overton Berry

Piano
Jazz singer at the microphone

Ruby Bishop

Piano & Vocals
Trumpeter in sunglasses

Bumps Blackwell

Trumpet
Pianist performing

Patti Bown

Piano
Bass and drums performing live

Buddy Catlett

Double Bass
Piano trio performing

Ray Charles

Piano & Vocals
Bassist performing with a band

Chuck Deardorf

Double Bass
Guitarist performing on stage

Bill Frisell

Guitar
Saxophonist at a night performance

Gary Hammon

Saxophone
Jazz ensemble with piano

Oscar Holden

Piano
Trumpet player under concert lights

Quincy Jones

Trumpet & Arranging
Trumpeter posing with his instrument

Thomas Marriott

Trumpet
Brass players performing together

Julian Priester

Trombone
Saxophonist under moody lighting

Wally Shoup

Saxophone
Saxophonist in warm light

Floyd Standifer

Saxophone & Trumpet