The roots of jazz run deep in Seattle culture. From the ‘20s through the ‘50s, the jazz scene flourished in nightclubs along Jackson Street, starting the careers of Quincy Jones, Ray Charles and Ernestine Anderson. Follow the sound of these music legends and you’ll end up at Bud’s Jazz Records — where history can be heard and learned. Listen carefully, though, or you might pass this hidden repository.

Walk down the narrow flight of stairs, and you’ll find yourself in an underground lair of 85,000 jazz records, CDs and cassettes. Its inventory runs the gamut of jazz music, from mainst ream and big band to Dixieland, swing and the avant-garde. It also holds a wonderful collection of local artists. If you can’t find it at Bud’s then it probably doesn’t exist.

One thing you won’t find here is neatly organized rows of music, but you will get a selection that prides itself in depth and variety.

Bud’s Jazz Records is also home to an art gallery that coincides with First Thursday’s art exhibition. Being displayed now is the abstract work of Miki Beal.

For those who know exactly what they are looking for, or for those who just want to chat about jazz, Bud’s is the place to be. It is a musical archive, a hangout and a record store, but above all it’s a testament to Seattle’s deep love for jazz music.

— Leisha Muraki