Seattle-based, award-winning jazz trombonist and educator David Marriott Jr. is one of the main attractions for Jazz Walk 2015, but he’s sharing the spotlight. You can catch Marriott perform back-to-back shows with Sammamish High School at the North Bend Theatre at 8 p.m., and at Boxley’s for a jam session from 9 p.m. to midnight during Jazz Walk on Saturday, March 14.

We asked Marriott about his thoughts on his upcoming Jazz Walk performances, educating the younger generation and the Northwest jazz community:

Where are you from and when did you first start playing the trombone? What drew you to jazz?

I am a fourth-generation Seattlite. I started playing trombone in sixth grade (although I’d taken piano lessons since the age of 7). I was drawn to jazz for a variety of reasons: My grandfather was a jazz musician; I heard jazz music often as my dad was a huge fan with a stellar record collection of the greats (Miles, Duke, Monk); the improvisational nature of jazz – the ability to create music from nothing rather than reading every note – inspired me more than playing Bach and Beethoven; and seeing and hearing musicians improvise at an early age.

As an educator, why is it important to give back to the younger generation?

Giving back to the next generation is critical for the survival of jazz music. Whether young students actually become musicians or not, their understanding and appreciation of jazz music will create fans of the music for years to come. For those who are truly interested in making a career in music, getting quality information is difficult in smaller communities, and it is only through working artists that they are able to truly learn the details that go into making jazz music what it is.  Lastly, the skills that young musicians gain from studying music – discipline, dedication, focus, creative thinking – will serve them well in any field in the future.

Are there any young performers you’re excited to see at Jazz Walk this year?

I’m always excited to hear young performers. I judge many high school jazz festivals throughout the region each year, and am always interested in what they are doing. I’ll be hosting the jam session at the Jazz Walk, I’m hoping the young folks come by!

What’s the appeal of performing in North Bend?

I love North Bend. I play at Boxley’s often; the vibe of the room is always fun, people are always paying attention, the staff treat us well – who doesn’t like that? I’m looking forward to taking in more of the North Bend audiences at the Jazz Walk.

As a Jazz performer, why do you call the Northwest home rather than New Orleans or New York? How has that affected your career/style?

I lived in New York from 2000 to 2006 and I loved it. There is no better place in the world to see how you stack up at the highest level, or hear the world’s best players day in and day out.  That said, once I realized I was getting the calls for gigs I’d always wanted, and was sitting next to my heroes on gigs, I felt like I didn’t need to keep proving that to myself every day.  I always knew I would return to the Northwest, but I had to go to New York to get better.  The Northwest is the best place to live in the country as far as I’m concerned, and thankfully it has a thriving music scene that allows me to be a full-time working musician, and tons of young musicians that are eager to learn.