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Besa Gordon Returns to Black Media Matters Studio to Spotlight Seattle's Jazz Legacy

Back2Besa Director Erik Kalligraphy and Besa Gordon are all smiles as Besa returned to the Black Media Matters Studio to tape a special segment about the Jackson Street Jazz Trail. Since the launch of Season Two of Back2Besa, Gordon has recorded her show at the FOX13 Seattle studios. (Photos: Susan Fried)

This upcoming weekend on Back2Besa, host Besa Gordon makes a special return to the Black Media Matters Studio, a space adorned with images capturing the vibrancy of Seattle's golden jazz age. The studio, which celebrated its 3rd-anniversary last month, features a stunning interview wall curated by Stephanie Johnson-Toliver of the Black Heritage Society of Washington State and designed by Damon Brown of Creative Lou. Stepping away temporarily from the FOX 13 Seattle Studios, Besa used this fitting backdrop to shine a light on the recently launched Jackson Street Jazz Trail.

The trail, a self-guided walking tour through the heart of Seattle's historic Jackson Street, invites visitors to immerse themselves in the city's rich jazz history. As Besa noted, while Seattle is now known for its contributions to rock and rap, the city holds a vibrant, yet often overlooked, jazz legacy.

With its evocative imagery, the Black Media Matters Studio provides the perfect setting to discuss the trail's significance. It serves as a reminder of iconic figures like Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, and Ernestine Anderson, whose melodies once filled the streets of Seattle.

Besa's return to the studio underscored the importance of preserving and celebrating Seattle's cultural heritage.

Make sure and catch Back2Besa this Saturday at 10:30pm on FOX13 Seattle and Sunday at 10am on FOX13+ and free nationwide on the FOX Local App.