Trumpeter Jeremy Pelt had just celebrated his 47th birthday and was in a great mood when KNKX recorded an exclusive session with his quintet at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley. His band of much younger musicians played beautifully and point to Pelt's commitment to supporting the next generation of jazz.

Pelt was celebrating his own recent albums, Soundtrack and The Art of Intimacy, Vol 2: His Muse, but began his session with a song he wrote a couple decades ago called "Aesop's Fables."

Vibraphonist Jalen Baker, guitarist Alex Wintz and the young rhythm section of Leighton McKinley-Harrell and Jared Spears brought their ample skills and passion to Pelt's music. All of them found equal time in support and improvising around the dynamic, modern jazz.

Interviewed by KNKX jazz host Abe Beeson, Pelt talked about his early career working in big bands and the need to connect with musicians. He also spoke about his series of books, Griot: Examining the Lives of Jazz's Great Storytellers. He said his inspiration came from a similar series of stories collected by drummer Art Taylor but featuring Pelt's own musical contemporaries.

Jeremy Pelt has stories of his own to share, but on the Jazz Alley stage he was most comfortable sharing stories with his music. The band played a pair of Pelt's recent compositions, the ballad "For Whom I Love So Much" and the dynamic "Be the Light."

Pelt would return to Seattle to play Jazz Alley with the Heavy Hitters, an all-star ensemble including long-time friends Vincent Herring and Eric Alexander on saxophones. KNKX was thrilled, however, to present his own band in this exclusive studio session.

Musicians:
Jeremy Pelt - trumpet
Jalen Baker - vibraphone
Alex Wintz - guitar
Leighton McKinley-Harrell - bass
Jared Spears - drums

Songs:
0:00 Aesop's Fables
11:33 For Whom I Love So Much
18:35 Be the Light

Audio:
Brian Moynihan

Video:
Parker Miles Blohm

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