Eugenie Jones Harmonizes Music, Community, and the Jackson Street Jazz Festival on The Day With Trae
On a recent episode of The Day With Trae, guest host Alicia Crank sat down with celebrated singer, songwriter, producer, and festival organizer Eugenie Jones. Jones shared her journey from her early days in the Seattle music scene to her extensive logistical efforts directing the upcoming Jackson Street Jazz Festival.
Jones, who launched her professional music career in the Seattle area in 2011, has since published 32 original songs across six albums. Her latest self-titled album recently climbed to number four on Jazz Week’s top 50 chart. When asked about her creative process and artistic motivation, Jones explained how deeply connected her songwriting is to the world around her.
"I put harmony to the life around me and the life within me, and that's what develops my songs," she said.
A central cornerstone of Jones's career is her dedication to original music, a path she admitted was not always welcomed by traditionalists who preferred standard selections from the Great American Songbook. For listeners exploring her discography for the first time, Jones pointed to her jazz-Latin fusion track "I'm All Right" as her signature song.
Beyond her personal music, Jones has spent the last nine years directing the Jackson Street Jazz Festival, which is marking its 13th annual iteration. Under her leadership, the event transitioned from a neighborhood jazz walk into a sprawling multi-stage festival spanning Seattle's Jackson corridor. Scheduled for this Saturday, September 12th, this year's festival will feature 20 bands performing across 12 community stages between 4:30 PM and 10:30 PM.
Jones has intricately calculated the festival's logistics across many venues, ranging from a relaxed network lounge to outdoor plazas and restaurant stages. The lineup includes prominent local and legacy acts, such as the D’Vonne Lewis Quartet and Grown Folks.
True to its roots, the festival acts as an educational and community asset. History tables with scannable QR codes will allow attendees to listen to past masters, and two-time Grammy-winning artist Nathan Breedlove will lead a special presentation. Furthermore, the event operates as "music for a cause," directing financial proceeds to Wa Na Wari, a ninth-generation Black-owned home and cultural hub situated in a historically redlined neighborhood.
"This event is bedrock on the fact that we have an incredible, important legacy of African-American music in Seattle," Jones said. "If we don't tell those stories and represent and celebrate that legacy, people will forget about it or never know about it. So this event has always been about music, community, and legacy."
The celebration carries over into Sunday, September 13th, with a separate satellite tribute honoring late master pianist Overton Berry’s 90th year. Taking place at the Fountain Head Gallery in Queen Anne, the ticketed performance will feature Berry's original rhythm section alongside contemporary musicians Randy Halberstadt.
Reflecting on the deeper sociological benefits of live community events, Jones referenced recent longevity studies tied to in-person connection. She encouraged the Seattle audience to put down their devices and fully engage with the environment.
"For the most part, [the event] is here for a lived experience that you are blessed by," Jones said. "Take that feeling that you absorbed and take it with you as you go about your day-to-day, and feel elated because of that experience and tell stories about it."
Get your tickets and learn more about the Jackson Street Jazz Festival happening this Saturday, September 12th at jacksonstreetjazz.org
Learn more about Eugenie Jones at eugeniejones.com
Catch “The Day With Trae” Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 a.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.
Looking to book a space for your upcoming event? Check out Colman Commons for all your event space needs at colmancommons.com
