Gerald Clayton Trio at Tula’s

Tuesday, March 1, 7:30pm
Gerald Clayton Trio

Tula’s Nightclub and Restaurant
2214 Second Avenue (Belltown), Seattle

For Reservations call 206-443-4221
Cover Charge: $15 general; $13 Earshot members; $10 Students w/ ID

Partial funding for this performance is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Western Jazz Presenters Network.

At 26, pianist Gerald Clayton, the Netherlands-born son of LA bassist John Clayton, is one of the most talented of jazz up-and-comers. He is winning renown for his seamless embrace of everything from stride piano to 21st-century neo-soul.

The Down Beat 2008 Readers’ Poll named him one of the top pianists to watch. The Jazz Gallery in New York commissioned a composition from him, while the BBC Orchestra has performed another. His honors, still early in his career, include a prestigious award from the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts, the title “Presidential Scholar in the Arts,” and second place in the Thelonious Monk Institute Jazz Piano Competition.

Clayton released his acclaimed debut recording as a leader, Two Shade, in 2009 on the fan-funded label, ArtistShare, with trio mates bassist Joe Sanders and drummer Justin Brown.

It justified the praise that jazz critics had been according him – glowing assessments such as “Oscar-Peterson like style” and “huge, authoritative presence” (New York Times).

With praise like that, Clayton’s reputation has quickly grown as one of the most accomplished and stylish pianists in jazz’s younger ranks. His playing is solidly grounded in popular jazz styles with hints of more recent forms such as neo-soul and hip-hop, and he renders his amalgam with an embracing swing and style.

Continue reading at earshot.org

Monday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Boyd Phelps Sax Attack
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: New Orleans Quintet
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

AMORE: Ronnie Pierce Jazz Ensemble
2301 5th Ave, 206-770-0606, 7:30pm

EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Primo Kim
555 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, 425-455-2734, 6:00pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Howard Dixon
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

BOXLEY’S: Down The Road Band
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

WHITE RABBIT: Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder
513 N 36th St Suite E, Seattle, 9:30pm

Seattle area musicians honored at Hampton fest

from The Seattle Times:

The Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho, where jazz masters mentor and adjudicate student jazz musicians, concluded Saturday. Many Seattle-area instrumentalists were honored Saturday by invitations to the Young Artists Concert. They included the South Whidbey High School band and Combo, division A, directed by Chris Harshaman, from Langley; the Eckstein Middle School Ensemble, Middle School division, directed by Moc Escobedo; and the Garfield High School Ensemble II, division AAAA, directed by Clarence Acox. Honorable mention went to the Eckstein Middle School Combo II, Middle School division, directed by Moc Escobedo.

Musicians honored by an invitation to play in the intimate setting of “Hamp’s Club” included Mike Laven, drums, and Eric Dubbury, trumpet, Edmonds-Woodway High School, directed by Jake Bergevin; Luke Woodle, drums, Eckstein Middle School, directed by Moc Escobedo; Gus Comstock, drums, Ian Frost, soprano saxophone, Adam Stansell, saxophone, Emmitt Akeley, guitar, Ian Zapolsky, piano, Willem de Koch, trombone, Garfield High School, directed by Clarence Acox; Elliott Clement, piano, Hamilton International Middle School, directed by Dan Rowe; Xavier DelCastillo, tenor saxophone, Matt Nuntz, bass, Lucas Winter, guitar, and Adrian Noteboom, tenor saxophone, Roosevelt High School, directed by Scott Brown.

Northwest University, in Kirkland, was honored by the festival with the gift of a drum set.

Sunday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
3pm – Chrissy Lewis Quintet
8pm – Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221

JAZZ ALLEY: Al DiMeola World Sinfonia
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729

BOXLEY’S: Danny Kolke Trio
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

BAKE’S PLACE:
10am – Sunday Breakfasts at Bake’s with guitarist Michael Gotz
4135 Providence Point Dr SE, Issaquah, 425-391-3335

CAFE RACER: Racer Sessions
5828 Roosevelt Way NE, 8pm

DARRELL’S TAVERN: Jam w/ Kevin McCarthy
18041 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, 8pm

Saturday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Greta Matassa Quartet

JAZZ ALLEY: Al DiMeola World Sinfonia
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Carolyn Graye and Paul Green
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

BAKE’S PLACE: The Halyards
4135 Providence Point Dr. SE, Issaquah, 425-391-3335

SERAFINA: Alex Guilbert Trio
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 323-0807, 9pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Jose Gonzales
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, (206) 772-6891

LUCID: Arte Flamenco
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Alice Evans and Tai Shan, 9pm – Andy Shaw w/Marco De Carvahlo, Geoff Harper, Jeff Busch

Friday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Susan Pascal Quartet

JAZZ ALLEY: Al DiMeola World Sinfonia
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

NEW ORLEANS: Thomas Marriott’s Flexicon
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 8:00pm

LATONA PUB:Phil Sparks Trio
6423 Latona Avenue NE, 5:00 – 7:00pm, No Cover, 21+

AMORE: Lonnie Williams
2301 5th Ave, (206) 770-0606

BOXLEY’S: Milo Petersen Trio
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

BAKE’S PLACE: Greta Matassa w/Overton Berry
4135 Providence Point Dr. SE, Issaquah, 425-391-3335

HIROSHI’S:Greg Williamson Quartet
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966

SERAFINA: Javier Anderson Trio
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 323-0807, 9pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Sue Bell
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, (206) 772-6891

LUCID: Tolex Soul
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Scott Lindenmuth Trio
1520 NE 177th, Shoreline, (206) 365-4447

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Del Rey and Barton Carroll, 9pm – Aria Prame

Thursday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Chip Parker, Susan Robinson, Randall O’Dowd
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Al DiMeola World Sinfonia
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Jerry Zimmerman
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: Ham Carson Quintet
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

THAIKU: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson, Tad Britton
5410 Ballard Ave NW, 8:30pm

LUCID: The Hang hosted by Gravity
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Christian Fabian Trio
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

BARCA: Phil Sparks / Adam Kessler Trio
1510 11th Avenue, Seattle, (206) 325-8263, 9:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Dina Blade Student Showcase
1707 NW Market Street, Seattle, 206-789-1621, 7:00pm

Essentially Ellington: Roosevelt and Mountlake Terrace in, Garfield out

from The Seattle Times:

Two Seattle-area high-school jazz bands have made it to finals of the Essentially Ellington competition.

Roosevelt High School, in Seattle, and Mountlake Terrace High School will both compete against 13 other bands May 12-14 at New York City’s Jazz at Lincoln Center, which sponsors the competition. Garfield High School, which has won the national contest four times (more than any other group), did not make the finals. It is the only time other than 2001 when Garfield didn’t make the cut.

Roosevelt High School has won the competition three times and, except for 2003, has made the finals every year since the 16-year-old event began accepting contestants west of the Mississippi in 1999. Mountlake Terrace has made the finals five times and it came in third in 2005.

Seattle-area bands have dominated the competition over the years, winning first place seven times.

Wednesday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: John Hammond and Opener: Mia Vermillion
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Greta Matassa Jazz Workshop
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Bonnie Birch
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: The Legacy Band with Clarence Acox
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio
5410 Ballard Ave NW, 8:30pm

BOXLEY’S: Tim Kennedy
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Vocal Showcase hosted by Kim Rushing
1707 NW Market Street, Seattle, 206-789-1621, 7:00pm

LUCID: Vocalize-It hosted by Reggie Goings
5241 University Way, Seattle, 8:30pm

SERAFINA: Kiko de Freitas
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 323-0807, 8:00pm

Ron Hudson, jazz photographer

We received word that Seattle resident and internationally known jazz photographer Ron Hudson passed away this morning.

There is a memorial service being planned soon and we will post information as soon as we have it.

Please take a moment to check out the great story on Ron done by Katy Bourne which was published on AllAboutJazz.com.

Summing up the career of a man as extraordinary as jazz photographer Ron Hudson is an intimidating proposition. He has spent the past thirty-plus years photographing some of jazz’s brightest dignitaries, capturing moments and committing them to history. He’s also heard some great music along the way.

One of the first things that caught my eye was a wall with about a dozen photographs of some of jazz’s brightest figures: Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Joe Williams, Milt Jackson and Shelly Manne to name a few. All of the images were signed, some with personal notes to Hudson and some with a simple signature, or as in the case of Miles Davis, a signature and a dotted quarter note.

Also, check out Ron Hudson’s book Right Down Front

Review: Cuong Vu 4-tet

from AllAboutJazz.com

The order and presentation of music on a recording or in a recital are every bit as important in the music producer’s skill set as is choosing what music to include. Had trumpeter Cuong Vu introduced his Vu-Tet’s Leaps of Faith with the title piece, or “Child-Like (for Vina),” it would have been easy to dismiss the recording as a well-intentioned experiment, descending into noise and chaos before making its point. Instead, Vu and co-producer/bassist Luke Bergman wisely introduce the album with three tried-and-true standards: “Body and Soul”; “All The Things You Are”; and “My Funny Valentine.”

But, Vu’s view of this music is light years away from that of Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Parker and Chet Baker. Instead, Vu drapes these familiar melodies over an often writhing, anxious undercurrent of rhythm and dynamic created by the double electric bass pairing of Bergman and Stomu Takeishi, along with drummer Ted Poor. The stark juxtaposition of the familiar with the chaotic deepens understanding of the melody. Vu introduces what he is trying to do with the familiar before venturing into the unfamiliar, to provide a better understanding of his vision.

Vu furthers his approach with the title piece, “Leaps of Faith” whose harmonic form and overall architecture are based on John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps.” Vu, like Charlie Parker did before him with “Embraceable You,” sets up a new melody while the band sets a dramatically different stage for the composition. In this, Vu achieves perfection in his approach.

The first three standards are studies in comparisons and contrasts. “Body and Soul” proceeds in a moody, ethereal space, one that captures the emotional landscape of the lyrics in a 2001: A Space Odyssey (MGM, 1968) sort of way. The same is true of “All The Things You Are” cast almost as a backdrop for a remake of A Clockwork Orange (Warner Brothers, 1971) only with a bright and shiny storyline. “My Funny Valentine” would sound perfectly at home in the soundtrack of Blue Velvet (Paramount, 1986), so spacious and omnipotent is the soundscape created by this odd ensemble.

Vu’s trumpet veers more to the plaintive, long-noted tone of Tomasz Stanko than the tart midrange of Miles Davis and acolytes after him. Vu is best understood in the aforementioned “Valentine,” George Harrison’s “Something” and, in a fit of genre- harvesting brilliance, Jackson Browne’s “My Opening Farewell.” This music is the collision between the secure and consonant with the disruptive and dissonant: meaning it reflects real life, where there are no white picket fences, only chain-link ones protecting paradise.

Tuesday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: The Little Big Band
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm & 9:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: John Hammond and opener Mia Vermillion
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Karin Kajita
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

MIX: Don Mock & Steve Kim
6006 12th Ave South, 206-767-0280, 9:00pm

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

OWL ‘N THISTLE: Jam w/ Eric Verlinde & Jose Martinez
808 Post Ave, 206-621-7777, 10:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Future Jazz Heads
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

SEAMONSTER LOUNGE: McTuff Trio
2202 N 45th St, 206-633-1824, 10:00pm

Monday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: Double Bill: Anat Fort Trio (with opener: Pierre Bensusan)
from Earshot Jazz: Anat Fort’s music can subtly hint at her geographical origins. Born near Tel Aviv, she studied classical piano as a child and began improvising from an early age, all the while remaining open to the many musical sounds of her environment. She brings her trio to Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley after a date on this year’s Portland Jazz Festival. In the early 1990’s, Anat came to the United States to study jazz, looking to balance a natural tendency towards freer playing with a firm grounding in the tradition. Her sojourn resulted in her self-produced debut album Peel, and commissions to write for various ensembles including chamber and chorus and orchestra. Her most recent commission was premiered at the Opera House in Tel Aviv in January 2006. Anat received two artist-in-residence grants from the Jerome Foundation as well as the Creative Connections award from Meet the Composer. A session recorded with drummer Paul Motian, bassist Ed Schuller, and clarinetist Perry Robinson was brought to the attention of the legendary producer Manfred Eicher ECM Records, and the resultant CD was released in 2007 as A Long Story. An important presence on the NYC alternative jazz scene and equally highly regarded in her homeland, Anat currently splits her time between Israel and the US and performs with bassist Gary Wang and drummer Roland Schneider in her touring band, the Anat Fort Trio.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Vocal Jam with Darin Clendenin Trio
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: New Orleans Quintet
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

AMORE: Ronnie Pierce Jazz Ensemble
2301 5th Ave, 206-770-0606, 7:30pm

EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Primo Kim
555 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, 425-455-2734, 6:00pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Howard Dixon
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

BOXLEY’S: Paul Green
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

Sunday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
3pm – Jay Thomas Big Band
8pm – Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221

JAZZ ALLEY: Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Orchestra feat. Sheila E. & Juan Escovedo
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729

BOXLEY’S: Danny Kolke Trio
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

BAKE’S PLACE:
10am – closed for vacation
4135 Providence Point Dr SE, Issaquah, 425-391-3335

CAFE RACER: Racer Sessions
5828 Roosevelt Way NE, 8pm

DARRELL’S TAVERN: Jam w/ Kevin McCarthy
18041 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, 8pm

CONCERT: Beat Kaestli w/John Hansen
Jazz Vox, Camano 206-963-2430, 2pm

Saturday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
4pm – Penelope Donando w/ Marco Carvalho
7:30pm – Stephanie Porter Quartet
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221

JAZZ ALLEY: Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Orchestra feat. Sheila E. & Juan Escovedo
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729

BOXLEY’S: Berni Jacobs Quartet
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

BAKE’S PLACE: closed for vaction
4135 Providence Point Dr. SE Issaquah, (425) 391-3335, 7:30pm

SERAFINA: Leo Raymundo Quartet w/Sue Nixon
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 323-0807, 9pm

LUCID: Rumptones
5241 University Way, Seattle, 9:30pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Victory Music Benefit, 9pm – Hardcoretet
1707 NW Market Street, Seattle, 206-789-1621

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Milo Petersen
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, (206) 772-6891, 7pm

CONCERT: Beat Kaestli w/John Hansen
Jazz Vox Auburn, 206-963-2430, 7:30

Portland Jazz Festival starts today

from The Seattle Times:

The Portland Jazz Festival, which kicks off Friday, often hangs its shows on a thematic frame. Past themes have been the historic legacy of Blue Note and ECM records and the explosion of new jazz from Scandinavia.

For 2011, the theme is Bridges and Boundaries: Jewish & African Americans Playing Jazz Together.

It’s a rich idea, though not particularly well fleshed out in the programming and also oddly irrelevant to Portland, which, according to the U.S. Census has one of the smallest African-American populations of any major American city and a small (less than 1 percent) Jewish population, as well.

But theme aside, artistic director Bill Royston, as always, has booked a great lineup.

Esperanza Spalding, the thrilling, Portland-raised bassist and singer who [won the Best New Artist Grammy], is the festival’s official Artistic and Community Ambassador. The Cohen siblings, from Israel — clarinetist and saxophonist Anat, trumpeter Avishai and saxophonist Yuval — are on the bill, as are clarinetist Don Byron (appropriately reprising his brilliant Mickey Katz project of daffy popular Jewish music), violinist Regina Carter, pianist Randy Weston, tenor saxophonist Joshua Redman and the SF Jazz Collective.

Continue reading at The Seattle Times.

Friday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Marc Seales Group
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Orchestra feat. Sheila E. & Juan Escovedo
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

NEW ORLEANS: Thomas Marriott’s Flexicon
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 8:00pm

LATONA PUB: Phil Sparks Trio
6423 Latona Avenue NE, 5:00 – 7:00pm, No Cover, 21+

AMORE: Lonnie Williams
2301 5th Ave, (206) 770-0606

BOXLEY’S: Milo Peterson Trio
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

HIROSHI’S: Travis Ranney & Friends
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966

SERAFINA: Tim Kennedy
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 323-0807, 9pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Jake Svendsen Duo
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, (206) 772-6891

LUCID: Enroot
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

GALLERY 1412: Ronin, Kenny Mandell, Don Berman w/ Ken Masters
1412 18th Ave, 8:00pm

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Mike Eggerling & Randy Mcmillan
1520 NE 177th, Shoreline, (206) 365-4447

Jazz Pianist George Shearing Dies

from Jazz Times:

George Shearing, the British jazz pianist and composer who wrote the bebop standard “Lullaby of Birdland,” died on Monday, February 14 in New York City, where he had resided for many years. The cause of death was heart failure. He was 91.

The writer Alyn Shipton, who helped Shearing write his memoirs, said that Shearing had a remarkable memory. “He could reproduce whole records from memory, accurately catching the nuances of Fats, Tatum, Bud Powell and Erroll Garner among others,” said Shipton. “But his real talent was, firstly to conceptualize the ‘Shearing Sound’ – transferring the Glenn Miller orchestral voicings to piano, vibes and guitar, and secondly to apply an instantaneous musical wit and imagination to everything he did. One of his favorite party tricks which I saw him do many times was to play the Irish folk song ‘Kerry Dance’ and weave into it the ‘Kyrie’ from Bach’s B Minor mass. George particularly liked that because it was a verbal pun on Kyrie and Kerry and a musical pun on mixing genres. He loved puns and wordplay and his conversation was peppered with them.”

Continue reading at Jazz Times.