The award recognizes the vocalist, songwriter, and Jackson Street Jazz Festival director for her profound impact on the Pacific Northwest jazz landscape.

Eugenie Jones possesses visionary qualities, a tireless work ethic with a deep respect for the roots and legacy of jazz.”

— Brenda Goldstein-Young, KNKX Public Radio.

SEATTLE, WA, UNITED STATES, October 6, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Earshot Jazz officially presented acclaimed jazz singer-songwriter, producer, and community leader Eugenie Jones with the prestigious John Gilbreath Service Excellence Award at the festival’s kickoff celebration on October 1, 2026.

Presented by Earshot Jazz Executive Director Dr. Stephan Blanford during the 2026 Earshot Jazz Festival Kick-off Party, the award celebrates Jones’ nine years of cultural stewardship and operational excellence producing the Jackson Street Jazz Festival—a tribute to the African American music legacy of the historic Seattle Jackson corridor. It also highlights her impactful three-year tenure as the founding board president of Kitsap County’s Music Discovery Center, underscoring her deep regional influence on both sides of the Puget Sound. Notably, her produced events have built a lasting legacy of social responsibility, structuring community financial gift-backs from event proceeds to local non-profits aiding residents in need.

“To receive an award named in honor of John Gilbreath—someone who has given so much of his heart and life to elevating jazz in Seattle—is a profound privilege,” said Eugenie Jones during her acceptance address, which acknowledged the importance of vital community partnerships with Pratt Fine Arts, KNKX, and the Black Heritage Society of Washington State.

The award recognizes individuals whose work embodies a profound commitment to artists, legacy preservation, innovative programming, and community building. Jones’s selection honored her expansive, multi-faceted contributions to the cultural architecture of the Pacific Northwest, including her:
• Longstanding Community Commitment: Curating over 15 years of musical events in King and Kitsap County that provided continuous artistic excellence, community stewardship, and critical charitable financial support to regional non-profits.
• Artist Advocacy and Space Creation: Engaging community partners and actively creating new performance spaces that presented jazz artists at various career levels, ensuring the multi-generational continuance of the art form.
• Preserving the Black Roots of Jazz: Creating educational and musical platforms that honor and keep the historic Seattle Central District jazz legacy alive.
• Masterful & Impactful Programming: Directing nine years of the Jackson Street Jazz Festival, providing multi-day performance opportunities for a diverse and inclusive array of over 1,000 musicians.

“Eugenie Jones possesses visionary qualities, a tireless work ethic with a deep respect for the roots and legacy of jazz,” stated Brenda Goldstein-Young, KNKX Community Outreach. “She stands out as a highly accomplished and versatile business executive, excelling in fundraising, event management, and marketing, which are anchored by her award-winning musical talent and passion for music.”

The presentation served as a centerpiece for the 38th Annual Earshot Jazz kickoff, celebrating a leader who perfectly embodies the transformative power, history, and future of jazz in the Pacific Northwest.

About Eugenie Jones
Eugenie Jones is an acclaimed, Seattle-based American jazz singer-songwriter and producer praised by critics as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary vocal. With more than 32 published original compositions to her credit, her sophisticated songwriting has earned favorable comparisons to industry icons like Abbey Lincoln and Nina Simone. Her sixth studio album, EUGENIE (released January 2025), spent 25 weeks on the JazzWeek Top 50 charts, peaking at #4 worldwide. Jones is a two-time Earshot Jazz Vocalist of the Year, a Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame inductee, and a recipient of the Jazz Journalists Association’s prestigious Jazz Hero Award. Her recording and performance catalog features collaborations with legendary masters, including Reggie Workman, Lonnie Plaxico, Bernard Purdie, Lynn Seaton, Lonnie Plaxico and Julian Priester.

Walter Laughridge
BrightIDEAS
BrightIdeasMarCom@gmail.com

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