Ken Nottingham

Release: 11.06.25

Discover Ken Nottingham, a seasoned Seattle multi-instrumentalist and upright bass virtuoso who recently embraced the art of busking at Pike Place Market during retirement. From his jazz studies at Cornish College to creating jamgrass music with the acclaimed Northwest Americana band Creeping Time, he says that performing on the cobblestone is a dream gig. 

Ken shared, "I started playing on the street. I was living near Green Lake at the time, and I went down there to play. I was like, 'I'm surprised that people seemed to pay attention to what I was doing.' Then I decided to come down to the Market. But what I like about it is it's all me because I'm usually playing with other people. When I'm playing at the Market, I don't have to call a club to try to get a gig, I don't have to try to get a band together. I can just wake up in the morning and go if I feel like playing. I can go down and play, and I love that because it's the first time I've done music that's just me. It's just you. It's fun and I'm finding a new voice for me."

Madinah In The Market originally aired as a radio-first editorial series, produced as recorded field pieces inside Pike Place Market. These archived episodes reflect the program’s foundational approach, created before its transition to a multi-platform show.

Originally broadcast on KBCS. Distributed by Madinah Slaise Media.

· Madinah In The Market | S2, E22