VIDEO: All-City Band Jam returns to West Seattle on Seafair Torchlight Parade eve

6:12 PM: Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex is hosting a huge free concert right now – All-City Band Jam‘s return to West Seattle, where ACB director Dr. Marcus Pimpleton founded it, a showcase for marching/brass bands on the eve of the Seafair Torchlight Parade. It could run until 9 pm.

8:50 PM: Just ended. We’ll add video from all 9 groups when back at HQ.

ADDED: Here’s one of the two sports-team-support bands that performed, Sound Wave (official band of Seattle Sounders FC):

And from the Seahawks, here’s Blue Thunder (which led the crowd in the call-and-response “Sea!” “Hawks!” before they were done):

Tons of drums all night long – including the Seismic Sound drumline:

Two brass bands were on the bill – the Blowout Heavies opened the night:

Chaotic Noise Marching Corps were a crowd favorite – with their description proclaiming them a “renegade marching band” and noting that part of their performance is “havoc”; even their outfits were a bit, well, chaotic:

And of course, marching bands … Kennedy Catholic, seen last weekend in the West Seattle Grand Parade:

Rainbow City, which brought a mashup of four ensembles:

Sumner, a huge band with middle-schoolers as well as high-schoolers:

And of course the hosting All-City Band, grand-prize winners in last weekend’s West Seattle Grand Parade and preparing for tomorrow night’s parade downtown. Their director Dr. Pimpleton confessed to the crowd that he secretly dislikes parades and enjoys Band Jam as a chance to enjoy marching bands without the unnecessary parade trappings! Here’s their full set:

(Compare to our video of the 2009 ACB performing at the very first Band Jam!) The ACB is practicing at NCSWAC this summer, as well as hosting Band Jam there, because Memorial Stadium downtown is off-limits while being overhauled; Dr. Pimpleton said he’s pretty sure that means Band Jam will be in West Seattle next summer too.

Josh July 25, 2025 (6:53 pm)

So cool! Just got here, lots of food and good crowd, great music. Just walked here from a few blocks away, sure is an awesome treat!

Fan July 25, 2025 (9:37 pm)

Wow! Great event. Thank you to the participants for a terrific evening of music and community.

Josh July 25, 2025 (10:43 pm)

Yes! I should have said thanks as well! Dr. Marcus Pimpleton, the staff and most definitely the students sure have their heart in this. We left feeling so lucky to have these groups perform in our neighborhood. The food trucks, the ice cream, the program itself… thanks for putting all this together and for playing at SW Athletic Field (close to home)!Thanks WSB for letting us know about this group and this event!

CW July 25, 2025 (10:01 pm)

Thanks for posting about this on Monday! I enjoyed the performances and wouldn’t have known about it otherwise.

1994 July 25, 2025 (10:12 pm)

Ditto the above comments! We swung by on our night walk and stay over an hour. Wonderful music for the community and many thanks to all the musicians!! Thank you to Dr. Marcus Pimpleton for bringing this to the community!

Sheila G July 26, 2025 (2:46 am)

Thanks so much for posting these videos. I’m a long-time West Seattle gal (my grandparents settled in Alki in 1915) but now we are living in France. So great to see and hear the joys of music from these high school students and others, and also thinking about the hard work and dedication of the music teachers and Dr. Pimpleton who give their all in the classroom and on the field. I watched every video, you all are awesome!

Kt July 26, 2025 (5:30 am)

That was the best show so far this summer. So much talent. Will definitely be checking out some of those bands around town. Such joyful music!

KayK July 26, 2025 (8:12 am)

Really enjoyed the tunes – wafting through the summer night all the way east to Highland Park!

Julie July 26, 2025 (9:30 am)

Does anyone know the name of the first song played by the All-City Band? It’s so familiar and driving me crazy! BTW, this event is so fun — wouldn’t miss it.

vimsick July 26, 2025 (11:59 am)

That’s “Sounders”
Marcus Pimpleton July 27, 2025 (4:06 pm)

“Salute to the Olympians” by Henry Mancini, more commonly known around here as the Sounders Theme.

bandgeek July 26, 2025 (10:02 am)

I especially liked the part where Dr. P. mentioned that ALL of the “adult” bands had ties to ACB in some former members of ACB! I do love a good parade, but this was all of the best parts, for me. Such a fun night!

WMR July 26, 2025 (10:12 am)

So glad that Memorial Stadium is under construction which allowed Band Jam to return to WS! We are so fortunate to have an event like this held in our own backyard. I’ve attended it since the beginning and it gets better every year. Loved loved loved the addition of the food trucks. Dr. Pimpleton is a treasure and and I so appreciate all that you do in support of the band.

sam-c July 26, 2025 (10:32 am)

I think the Rainbow City is linked in the place where Kennedy should be (Rainbow City video linked twice).We really had a great time, seeing these bands perform last night. So fun!! Thank you all for your time and effort to put on a great show!