Glacier Peak senior to host November School of Jazz segment
Brayden Marston, a 2026 WMEA All-State selection, will share a playlist of big band and small ensemble tracks on KNKX.
By William Turner ·
A senior at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish will take the helm of the School of Jazz radio segment this month. Brayden Marston, a trumpet player in the school's jazz band, is scheduled to introduce listeners to his favorite recordings.
Marston cites trumpeter Clark Terry as his primary influence. However, his listening habits extend beyond a single style. He favors both large orchestral groups and smaller combos. During his segment, he plans to highlight the energy of big bands.
The student named Louis Dowdswell’s big band arrangement of “When You Wish Upon a Star” as a key selection. He also selected tracks from Gordon Goodwin and Lalo Schifrin. Marston described the appeal of these groups, stating, “I love the power of a big band.”
His musical experience is rooted in school ensembles and local jam sessions at Butter Notes Café in Everett. In his junior year, he earned a spot in the 2026 WMEA All-State Jazz Band. He recalled the experience of joining that group: “At first it was intimidating, but as I got warmed up around the other kids, it was super cool to meet new musicians and play at a higher level.”
Marston credits Mike Mines, a trumpeter for the Jazz Police and the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, with sparking his interest in the instrument at Valley View Middle School. He also points to his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri, as a foundational element of his jazz education. The city played a major role in the shift from big bands to smaller ensembles during the 1930s and 1940s.
For the November broadcast, Marston chose a recording of John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” to mark the jazz legend’s centennial birthday. He described Coltrane’s technique as “amazed by how he can play notes that fast, but cleanly. I love that solo.” He will conclude the show with Art Blakey’s version of “Moanin'.” That recording features a trumpet performance by Lee Morgan, which Marston calls his “favorite trumpet solo of all-time.”
Following his graduation, Marston plans to learn a trade while continuing to play music. He hopes to join an existing band or form a new one.
