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Seattle Film and Music Blog

KPLU PROFILES DIE-HARD SIFF FANS

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KPLU
As SIFF coasts into its final week, it’s worth revisiting KPLU’s wonderful feature on serial SIFF-goers who sacrifice precious spring/early summer Seattle sunlight to see as many movies as humanly possible. Writer Florangela Davila profiled a handful of ardent movie lovers, making sure to include some helpful tips about surviving SIFF for festival novices. Retired Seattleite Diane Bisset says it’s totally normal for her to view at least 100 films at SIFF each year. Honolulu resident Doug Ing leaves the balmy climate of his home city to attend the festival, also consuming upwards of 100 films with his SIFF Platinum Pass. What’s ultimately important to remember about SIFF, says the festival’s artistic director Carl Spence, is that watching films is a communal experience. “There’s energy you get from being around people,” says Spence. “If it’s a comedy you may laugh more. You may find it more funny than if you see it by yourself. If it’s something that’s moving or powerful, that has something meaningful, you may share in that cathartic experience together.”

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KPLU AND NPR REVEAL YOUR PICKS FOR “THE JAZZ 100”

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NPR Music
For three weeks in January, local radio station KPLU, its all-jazz webstreaming site Jazz24.org and NPR Music asked listeners for help in developing a list of the 100 quintessential jazz songs of all time–and today, this “Jazz 100” will be revealed. Starting February 7, listeners will be able to view the list in its entirety and can even stream the whole jazzy repertoire at KPLU, Jazz24 and NPR’s web portals. Over 2,800 people submitted song titles for consideration in “The Jazz 100,” yielding 1,500 unique tunes that the KPLU/Jazz24 staff painstakingly narrowed down to create a public voting ballot. After more than 11,000 cast their votes, the final list was decided. “This is the biggest online response we’ve ever seen from listeners and visitors,” says Joey Cohn, KPLU Director of Content. “This really struck a chord (no pun intended) with people [and] I think what we now have is the most definitive list of the greatest jazz songs of all-time.” For more information, follow the above link and be sure to check out “The Jazz 100” when it goes live today!

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REEL GRRLS: THE NEXT GENERATION OF DIGITAL MEDIA MAKING

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KPLU
As part of President Obama’s stimulus package, $150,000 was awarded to Seattle non-profit, Reel Grrls, to help bring digital media making skills to underprivileged areas in the city. The video below is evidence of the empowerment and confidence bestowed upon these middle and high school girls. And be sure to follow the link above to hear today’s KPLU coverage of the organization and its efforts.

[vodpod id=Video.4266237&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26]


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KPLU PROFILES THE FRIENDLY RIVALRY BETWEEN ROOSEVELT AND GARFIELD’S JAZZ ENSEMBLES

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KPLU
It’s well known news in Seattle that both Garfield and Roosevelt have incredibly talented jazz bands and directors. Both bands have won the Essentially Ellington High school Jazz Band Competition four times, a tie for most wins in the competition’s 15 year history. The competition is the most illustrious and high profile high school jazz band competition in the country, with 15 bands from around the nation descending on New York City to play the music of Duke Ellington for a panel of judges. There is naturally a friendly rivalry between the two schools, who often toggle back and forth between holding first place. Roosevelt director Scott Brown says: “People back in New York and people around d the country are always asking, ‘What’s in the water out in Seattle?’” He laughs. “It’s not really in the water. We think it’s the coffee.” This article profile both of the school’s programs and directors and discusses their preparation for this year’s competition. To read the full article, follow the link.

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“JAZZ AFTER HOURS” CELEBRATES ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY THIS WEEKEND

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Jazz After Hoursjazzafterhours-jimwilke
This weekend is the 25th anniversary of locally-produced late night jazz radio show “Jazz After Hours.” The show began the first weekend of November 1984 on what was then American Public Radio. Over 80 stations and several state networks currently carry the show. Many of the original stations, including KPLU, are still around today. To mark this occasion, host Jim Wilke will play mostly jazz hits from the 80s and 90s on Friday night and more up to date fare on Saturday night. The show is produced at Hatchcover Productions in Seattle and distributed by Public Radio International from Midnight to 7 a.m. Eastern Time each weekend. Congratulations to all involved and here’s to 25 more!

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“LIVE FROM KPLU” CELEBRATES NEW HOME

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KPLU
On January 25, 2008, Pacific Public Media officially broke ground for the Martin J. Neeb Center on the campus of Pacific Lutheran University, named in honor of KPLU’s long-time general manager, Martin Neeb, who retired in 2006. In early 2009, the station’s administrative staff moved in; at the end of June, KPLU morning Midday Jazz host Dick Stein flipped “the big red switch” for the first time in the station’s brand-new, state-of-the-art on-air studios. This October, it’s your turn to set foot inside the new Neeb Center, which is home not only to 88.5 KPLU “NPR News and All That Jazz” and Pacific Public Media’s all-jazz webstream, Jazz24, but also includes PLU’s Office of Development. “Live from KPLU” will feature special programming hosted by KPLU’s Dick Stein and Nick Morrison, free live performances by trumpeter Lance Buller and vocalist Stephanie Porter, and PLU Jazz Professor David Deacon-Joyner, building tours, refreshments, and the dedication ceremony.

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KPLU JAZZ AND BLUES CRUISES ARE BACK

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KPLU
The Royal Argosy is a wonderful venue to experience great live jazz and blues with KPLU. While you’re enjoying the music, you’ll be treated to a scrumptious brunch and a spectacular, ever-changing view. There are three levels on the boat. The band plays on the first deck, however, large projection screens and speakers make it possible to hear and view the band from the second and third levels. In addition, you’re welcome to explore the boat and watch the band from a limited amount of theatre-style seats set up on the first deck. Each deck also has access to the outside. The boat sails rain or shine!

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