Weekend arts picks: an eclectic mix of jazz, kung fu, and Brandi Carlile

This KUOW arts roundup starts with a tribute to Seattle’s jazz history, crosses into the current jazz scene, highlights the debut of a local kung fu film, and finishes with some literary news from musician Brandi Carlile. Crosscut Arts & Culture Editor Brangien Davis is Kim Malcolm’s guide.

Paul Rucker's new installation “78” celebrates Seattle’s jazz history

"Seattle has a very long and rich history of jazz. At one point, there were 34 nightclubs along Jackson Street alone, during the jazz heyday. There's a new public art piece on the plaza at 23rd and Jackson that honors this history. It's by local musician and artist Paul Rucker. There's an accompanying website where you can learn about that history."

Concert tonight features Seattle trumpeter Ahamefule J. Oluo

"He’s doing a show with his new quartet. It will be streamed live from the Royal Room, via Earshot Jazz. That should be really good. He's an amazing musician."

PNW kung fu film/comedy The Paper Tigers debuts next week

"I'm a little early on this one because I'm really excited about it. It starts screening on May 7. It’s by local writer and director Bao Tran. It will stream through Northwest Film Forum.

Bao Tran grew up watching these movies and loving them and imitating them as a little kid in his backyard. He just really wanted to make a Seattle version of a kung fu movie that was contemporary, but also very true to that genre. "

Musician Brandi Carlile wrote a memoir, Broken Horses

"It has such a great voice. You're just drawn in immediately by her storytelling voice, her upbringing in a poor family on the outskirts of Seattle, and just this wild ride she's been on. To me it made very clear, 'Oh, this is why she's so great at writing country songs.’"

Listen to the interview by clicking the play button above.