The Royal Room is an eclectic and soulful club in Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood, partly owned by pianist-composer Wayne Horvitz. Decades ago, in another life, Horvitz was on the Downtown Scene in New York City — one of the influential early adopters of the Knitting Factory. I’m sure we’ll talk about that history, and jazz education, and much else besides, during my appearance at The Royal Room, organized with Earshot Jazz.

But it’s important to note the larger context for this event, whose full title is “Now's The Time: A Benefit for Initiative 1631.” This is an event in support of The Washington Carbon Emissions Fee and Revenue Allocation Initiative, also known as the Protect Washington Act — an environmental initiative that proposes to help fund air and water quality and green energy projects by levying a fee on greenhouse gas emissions. In light of recent climate reports, not to mention facts on the ground, this is an absolutely crucial cause.

The lineup for this event will include Electric Circus, a visionary jazz-funk band with conduction by Horvitz; pianist Ryan Burns playing the music of Thelonious Monk; a duo of percussionists Thione Diop and Greg Campbell; and Ayesha Brooks singing Fontella Bass. That’s just scratching the surface. I’m proud to be aligned with this benefit, and really look forward to all of this music.

If you’re in Seattle in early November, please come through.