“Just The Two Of Us” Next On Jazz Northwest, Sunday, April 7 on 88.5 KPLU

April 5, 2013 / / No Comments

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Take two imaginative, virtuoso jazz guitarists, blend and mix well and you have the recipe for this unique concert recorded last month at Kirkland Performance Center. Stanley Jordan is a master touch or tap-technique guitarist who has developed a world-wide enthusiastic following since he debuted on the Blue Note label in 1985.  Kevin Eubanks is most widely known as the guitarist/leader of The Tonight Show Band and Jay Leno’s sidekick, but he had extensive experience as a jazz guitarist before, and has resumed his solo career since leaving The Tonight Show.  Highlights from one of their relatively rare concerts together will be featured on Sunday, April 7 at 2 PM (PDT) on Jazz Northwest on 88.5, KPLU and streamed at kplu.org.

Stanley Jordan and Kevin Eubanks both record for Mack Avenue Records and both have recent releases (“Friends” and “The Messenger”) on the label, but have not yet recorded together.  They have done a handful of duo concerts and these may lead to a CD project in the future.  This concert was one of a series of jazz concerts presented by The Kirkland Performance Center during its season. Upcoming are Medeski, Martin & Wood on April 17 and Grace Kelly with Tineke Postma opening on May 11. The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra also plays their next subscription concert at KPC on April 14.

Thanks to the musicians, Mack Avenue Records and the Kirkland Performance Center for allowing us to record and broadcast this concert.  Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88.5 KPLU and is heard each Sunday at 2 PM.  A streamable podcast is available at kplu.org following the broadcast.

More information:
mackavenue.com
stanleyjordan.com
kevineubanks.com
kpcenter.org
jazznw.org

Bernie Jacobs Quartet in concert on Jazz Northwest, March 24 on 88.5 KPLU

March 21, 2013 / / No Comments

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Multi-instrumentalist and singer Bernie Jacobs fronts his quartet in highlights from an Art of Jazz Concert at The Seattle Art Museum on Jazz Northwest, March 24 at 2 PM PDT on 88.5 KPLU. The concert was presented by Earshot Jazz and recorded for this broadcast on KPLU. Joining Bernie Jacobs, who plays mostly flute on this broadcast, are Bill Anschell, piano, Phil Sparks, bass and Adam Kessler on drums. The music includes standards and jazz classics from Fats Waller to Wayne Shorter.

Bernie Jacobs began his career singing and playing flute where he grew up in Norfolk, Virginia, and was a part of the Washington DC jazz scene for six years. Moving to Seattle in 1994, he’s been busy freelancing, playing with Clarence Acox and the Legacy Band at The New Orleans and with his own quartet. His latest CD is “One By One” on the Pony Boy label.

Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88.5 KPLU and kplu.org. The program is also available as a podcast following the airdate, Sundays at 2 PM PDT.

For more info:
berniejacobsmusic.com
seattleartmuseum.org
earshot.org
jazznw.org

SRJO plays Thad Jones this Sunday on Jazz Northwest

March 8, 2013 / / No Comments

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Thad Jones played trumpet with the Basie Band and he brought the jazz orchestra into the modern age with his unique compositions and arrangements for the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra at The Village Vanguard.  The current incarnation of that orchestra still plays every Monday night at the hallowed New York club as The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra 47 years after it began.   The music of Thad Jones still feels current and is played by jazz orchestras around the world, including The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra which featured Thad Jones’ music in two sold out concerts last weekend.

Highlights from one of those concerts will air on Jazz Northwest Sunday, March 10 on 88.5, KPLU and kplu.org.  The concert was recorded at The Kirkland Performance Center.  Included are several selections that have become jazz standards, Three in One,  A Child is Born, To You and Low Down.  Among the many soloists in this concert are two who performed with Thad Jones or the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Bill Ramsay and Mark Taylor.

This concert was one of the current series of concerts by the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, directed by Clarence Acox and Michael Brockman.  The next concert pair will be Jazz of the Harlem Renaissance III: Ellington’s “Reminiscing in Tempo” on April 13 and 14.

Jazz Northwest is heard every Sunday afternoon at 2 PM Pacific on KPLU.  The program is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke, exclusively for 88.5, KPLU.  A podcast is available after the broadcast at kplu.org.   Coming in the near future are concerts by the Bernie Jacobs Quartet at Seattle Art Museum (3/24) and “Just The Two of Us” with guitarists Kevin Eubanks and Stanley Jordan at Kirkland Performance Center (4/7).

More information:
srjo.org
jazznw.org

Preview the episode below.

Some Of Our Favorite Things On Jazz Northwest, December 9, 2012

December 5, 2012 / / No Comments

Jim Wilke shares some of his favorite CDs for the holidays by Northwest jazz musicians who’ve appeared often on the program … Don Lanphere, The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, Ernestine Anderson, Dave Peck, Greta Matassa, Barney McClure and others.

Listen to this December celebration featuring some our favorite musicians playing holiday music and support Jazz Northwest, Sunday afternoons at 2 Pacific Time on 88.5, KPLU and kplu.org.

“Birth of The Cool” in concert on KPLU’s Jazz Northwest October 7

October 5, 2012 / / No Comments


Andy Clausen’s (Re)Birth of the Cool nonet at The Chapel   (photo by Daniel Sheehan)

Concert recreation of classic Miles Davis “Birth of the Cool” album on Jazz Northwest on KPLU 88.5

High on any list of all-time classic jazz albums is the 1949-50 Miles Davis album “Birth of The Cool” which grew out of an informal composers/ arrangers workshop with Gil Evans, Gerry Mulligan and John Lewis among others.  That album continues to be influential among jazz musicians today, one of them being trombonist Andy Clausen who has studied these recordings and arrangements extensively.  Last summer, he organized a concert of this music which was presented by Earshot Jazz at The Chapel performance space in Seattle.  The concert was recorded and will be broadcast Sunday, October 7 at 1 PM PDT on “Jazz Northwest” on 88.5 KPLU and kplu.org .

In the critical role of trumpeter Miles Davis is Andy Clausen’s fellow Juilliard student, Riley Mulherkar.  The two were cross-town rivals in high school when they played in jazz bands at their respective high schools, Andy at Roosevelt and Riley at Garfield.   The other musicians include some of the area’s most prominent jazz artists, Tom Varner, French horn, Mark Taylor, alto sax, James DeJoie, baritone sax, John Hill, tuba, Marc Seales, piano, Phil Sparks, bass and Matt Jorgensen, drums.

The selections are presented in the same order in which they appeared on the original album, and the concert was recorded with minimal micing to preserve the spirit of the original performance and the rich acoustics of The Chapel.  Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88.5 KPLU, airing on Sundays at 1 PM PDT.  The program is also available as a podcast at kplu.org after the broadcast.

Andy Clausen’s Wishbone ensemble will appear in concert with the Danilo Perez Trio at The Earshot Festival on October 13 at Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall in Seattle.

Benny Green’s Jazz Port Townsend concert on Jazz Northwest

August 28, 2012 / / No Comments


photo by Jim Levitt

Sunday, September 2nd on Jazz Northwest from 88.5 KPLU, the Benny Green Trio with special guest Gary Smulyan on baritone saxophone is heard in concert at Centrum’s Jazz Port Townsend. The concert was recorded in McCurdy Pavilion at Fort Worden on July 28, and consists of original music by Benny Green.

Benny Green has been a favorite at Jazz Port Townsend for years. He has been an active professional pianist since the 80s when he began his career with Betty Carter, Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and Freddie Hubbard. He has since made 15 albums as a leader himself. He previews some new music in this concert including several pieces titled with the names of Bop masters Jackie McLean, Harold Land and Sonny Clark, reflecting his interest and study of the originators of this music. Joining him in this trio are Ben Wolfe on bass and Rodney Green on drums.

Also joining the Benny Green Trio on three selections is the multi-award winning baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan, a leader in his own right and a first call baritone saxophonist on the New York scene. Gary Smulyan has played with Woody Herman, the Mel Lewis Orchestra under Bob Brookmeyer, The Mingus Epitaph band, and Smithsonian Masterworks Orchestra among others. Both Benny Green and Gary Smulyan were on the faculty of the week-long jazz workshop that precedes the Jazz Port Townsend Festival each year.

Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke, exclusively for 88.5 KPLU. The program airs Sundays at 1 PM PDT. It also streams simultaneously to the internet and is also available as a podcast at kplu.org following the airdate.

Johnny Mandel conducts his music in concert August 12, 1 PM on Jazz Northwest, KPLU

August 12, 2012 / / No Comments
Johnny Mandel conducting at Centrum’s Jazz Port Townsend 2012, Bill Ramsay & Travis Ranney saxes. (Jim Levitt photo)

Johnny Mandel has enjoyed a seven-decade musical career that began in the 40s as a trombonist and arranger in big bands of Woody Herman, Count Basie and others.  He went on to greater fame as a film composer after settling in LA in the 50s, where he penned scores for “I Want To Live,” “The Sandpiper,” “The Americanization of Emily,” “Mash” and many others including popular songs “Close Enough for Love” and “A Time for Love”.

This July at Centrum’s Jazz Port Townsend, the All-Star Big Band played a concert of The Music of Johnny Mandel, conducted by the composer and including nine of his best-known and celebrated compositions.  The 18 member band includes many individual soloists who are bandleaders and recording artists in their own right.  It’s with great pleasure and privilege we’re able to present this unique concert by a living legend, the Grammy-winning and NEA Jazz Master, Johnny Mandel.

Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced for radio by Jim Wilke, exclusively for 88.5 KPLU and kplu.org.  The program is heard each Sunday at 1 PM PDT and a podcast is available after the air date at kplu.org.

Jazz Port Townsend concert broadcast to feature “Dynamic Duos”

August 3, 2012 / / No Comments


Jeff Hamilton and Matt Wilson (photo by Jim Levitt)

The first in a series of concert broadcasts from Centrum’s Jazz Port Townsend features “Dynamic Duos” on KPLU’s Jazz Northwest on Sunday, August 5 at 1 PM PDT.   The three duos selected by Artistic Director John Clayton for this unique concert are trombonists Wycliffe Gordon and Jiggs Whigham, guitarists Graham Dechter and Bruce Forman and drummers (drummists?) Jeff Hamilton and Matt Wilson.

The rhythm section accompanying the first two duos includes Tamir Hendelman (piano), Chuck Deardorf (bass) and Rodney Green (drums).

This is the first of six concert performances recorded for Jazz Northwest at the long-running Jazz Port Townsend Festival which began in 1977.  The festival is presented by Centrum on the last weekend of July each year.  Next week on Jazz Northwest, The Festival All-Star Big Band plays the music of Johnny Mandel, conducted by Johnny Mandel.

Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88.5 KPLU, and is heard each Sunday afternoon at 1 PM PDT.  A streaming podcast is available after the broadcast date from kplu.org.

Peter Bernstein Trio on Jazz Northwest, 88.5 KPLU on March 4

March 4, 2012 / / No Comments
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Guitarist Peter Bernstein’s recent appearance at Egan’s in Seattle will be featured on Jazz Northwest on Sunday March 4 at 1 PM Pacific on 88.5 KPLU.  Peter has been a part of the jazz scene in New York and abroad since 1989. He has played on over 60 recordings as well as festival, concert and club performances with musicians from all generations. His latest recording as a leader is Live At Smalls featuring Richard Wyands, John Webber, and Jimmy Cobb.

Peter has played with legendary drummer Jimmy Cobb (Cobb’s Mob), organist Larry Goldings, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Melvin Rhyne, Joshua Redman, Diana Krall, Nicholas Payton, Lee Konitz, Tom Harrell, and Eric Alexander among others.  In this appearance at Egan’s Ballard Jam House he was joined by Seattle musicians Chuck Deardorf on bass and Matt Jorgensen on drums.  This special evening at Egan’s was presented by seattlejazzscene.com.

Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88.5 KPLU, and airs every Sunday afternoon at 1 PM Pacific. The program is also available as a podcast at kplu.org.

ALL STAR SEPTET FROM JAZZ PORT TOWNSEND ON JAZZ NORTHWEST, AUGUST 7 ON 88.5 KPLU

August 7, 2011 / / No Comments


Benny Green, Paquito D’Rivera, Bruce Forman, Joel Frahm, Terell Stafford, Christoph Luty (partially hidden), Matt Wilson
(photo by Jim Levitt)

A stellar septet of jazz greats played at McCurdy Pavilion during Centrum’s Jazz Port Townsend 2011 the last weekend of July. Cuban-born, now American citizen Paquito D’Rivera was nominal leader and spokesman, playing alto sax and clarinet. He played alongside Dizzy Gillespie and other jazz greats who helped bring him to world-wide attention. Along with him were trumpeter Terell Stafford, tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm, guitarist Bruce Forman, pianist Benny Green, bassist Christoph Luty and drummer Matt Wilson. All are major jazz recording and touring stars with their own groups and/or with others.

The seven musicians had also been faculty members during the week-long jazz workshop which precedes the festival each year. After a week of sharing their knowledge and skills with students, they were ready for some fun themselves. They roared through several bebop classics by Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock and a gentle bossa nova by Jobim. The concert was recorded for broadcast and will air on Jazz Northwest on Sunday, August 7 at 1 PM PDT on 88.5 KPLU in Western Washington and stream live to the internet at kplu.org.

This concert is one of eight performances recorded at this year’s Jazz Port Townsend which will air over coming weeks on Jazz Northwest . The program is recorded and produced exclusively for KPLU by Jim Wilke and is also available as a podcast from kplu.org after the air date.

Shout Out: Jazz Now! Seattle

November 13, 2010 / / No Comments

By Katy Bourne

It is with great enthusiasm that I send a virtual high five and a holler out to Seattle jazz musicians Jason Parker and Dave Marriott for their spanking new podcast Jazz Now! Seattle. Jazz Now! Seattle is a weekly podcast that features music from local artists in the Seattle community. The mission of the podcast is twofold: (1) To put the spotlight on Seattle musicians and their projects and to help publicize their performances. (2) To present the thriving Seattle jazz scene to the rest of the world. Now in its fifth week, Jazz Now! Seattle has already been downloaded 1000 times

Jason and Dave are working jazz musicians and both have backgrounds in broadcasting. Jason is a trumpeter, blogger, bandleader and one half of the production and booking company J & J Music. Jason worked in radio for several years and is the former musical director for KMTT radio in Seattle. He is an occasional guest host on KPLU. Dave is an award-winning trombonist and plays with a variety of groups including the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, the Emerald City Jazz Orchestra and his own band Septology. Dave was also the force behind the “original” Seattle jazz podcast “Seattle JazzScene.” Jason and Dave combine their experience and knowledge with sheer enthusiasm to create podcasts that offer a unique view of Seattle jazz. They highlight music from “every corner of the jazz spectrum in Seattle.”  So far, the podcasts have included a wide-range of music from artists such as Richard Cole, Wayne Horvitz, Matt Jorgenson, McTuff, Zubatto Syndicate, Gail Pettis, Nelda Swiggett and many, many more. The podcasts are presently focused on artists that are appearing in the Earshot Jazz Festival, which runs until November 7th. In Dave’s words, “We’re both fans of the scene that we’re a part of.”

Jason and Dave record new episodes every Monday and spend the rest of the week editing and also going through music for future podcasts. For two musicians who already have their hands in numerous other ventures, their efforts on behalf of the local scene are amazing. While it would be easier to stay focused solely on their own pursuits, Jason and Dave choose to cheer on other artists and help them get attention for their music. Jason and Dave are true ambassadors for Seattle jazz, and our community is all the better for it. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend checking out Jazz Now! Seattle. While you’re at it, maybe send a message of thanks to Jason and Dave for their time, work and generosity. They deserve it.

“We’ve figured out a way to make something that’s going to be a good contribution.”
– Dave Marriott

For more information, visit: http://jazznowseattle.com/

This Sunday on Jazz Northwest

February 7, 2009 / / No Comments


Hadley Caliman at the Golden Ear Awards presented by Earshot Jazz. (Daniel Sheehan photo)

Jazz Northwest salutes the 20th annual Golden Ear Awards presented by Earshot Jazz at the Triple Door on February 2. This program airs on February 8 and includes music by award winners Hadley Caliman (pictured), Byron Vannoy, Thomas Marriott, Greta Matassa, Neil Welch, and Mark Taylor among others.

The annual jazz awards recognize outstanding achievement by Seattle area resident jazz musicians by a poll of jazz experts and the votes of a jazz loving community.

Jazz Northwest airs Sundays at 1 PM Pacific and is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for KPLU and is also streamed to the internet at www.kplu.org. The program is also available as a podcast the day after the airdate.

(audio preview below)

This Sunday on Jazz Northwest

January 28, 2009 / / No Comments


Bruce Forman, Matt Wilson, Jiggs Whigham, Chuck Deardorf, Gilbert Castellanos, Gary Versace

International trombonist Jiggs Whigham leads an all-star bi-coastal jam session on Jazz Northwest on 88-5 KPLU on Sunday, February 1, 2009. Joining Jiggs are Gilbert Castellanos, Bruce Forman, Gary Versace, Chuck Deardorf and Matt Wilson, recorded at The Public House during last Summer’s Jazz Port Townsend. Pull up a chair and join us for a Sunday afternoon jam at 1 on Jazz Northwest from 88-5, KPLU.

Listen to the audio preview below …

Holiday Jazz on Jazz Northwest

December 11, 2008 / / No Comments

Holiday Jazz sung and played by musicians from Seattle, Portland and Vancouver for a Northwest Jazz Christmas will be featured this Sunday afternoon on Jazz Northwest from KPLU. Thomas Marriott, Don Lanphere, the Roosevelt Jazz Band, David Friesen, Greta Matassa, The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra and the B3 Kings are among the Northwest jazz artists who will be featured Sunday afternoon at 1 pm on Jazz Northwest from 88-5 KPLU and kplu.org. The program is produced and hosted by Jim Wilke for KPLU.

This Sunday on Jazz Northwest

December 4, 2008 / / No Comments


Cory Weeds and Joe Doria (photo by Jim Levitt)

Vancouver saxophonist Cory Weeds joined Seattle organist Joe Doria‘s Trio during the Ballard Jazz Walk on November 20th, and the evening was recorded for Jazz Northwest on KPLU. Chris Spencer on guitar and Byron Vannoy on drums were also on stage at The Lock and Keel for this performance. This was one of 11 venues with live jazz at this year’s event and this show will air at 1 pm on Sunday, December 7 on 88.5 KPLU.

The group plays original music from Cory Weeds’ recent CD “Big Weeds” on his Cellar Live label. Cory also owns and operates the Cellar Jazz club on Broadway West in Vancouver BC. The Joe Doria Trio plays regularly in Seattle and this was a rare opportunity for musicians from Vancouver and Seattle to work together. The Ballard Jazz Walk also presented musicians from Oregon and Idaho as well as Seattle groups. The Jazz Walk and the Ballard Jazz Festival are produced by John Bishop and Matt Jorgensen of Origin Records.

Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88.5, KPLU and airs on Sundays at 1PM PST and streams to the internet at kplu.org . The program is also available as a podcast the day after it airs.

This Sunday on Jazz NW

November 7, 2008 / / No Comments

It was a dream concert! NEA Jazz Master James Moody was saxophone soloist with The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra which includes many of Seattle’s top jazz players, co-led by Clarence Acox and Michael Brockman. Moody was in brilliant form as always, pouring forth brilliant inspired solos as he has since he first drew attention when he joined Dizzy Gillespie’s big band in 1946 as they were ushering in the Bop era. Diz and Moody were life-long friends and musical compatriots, and Moody still performs with the Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars and alumni bands.

We recorded Moody and the SRJO before a cheering capacity audience at the Kirkland Performance Center and we’re pleased to have the opportunity to present excerpts from this unique concert on Jazz Northwest on Sunday, November 9 on 88-5, KPLU.

Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for KPLU. It airs every Sunday at 1:00pm on KPLU 88.5fm and online at www.kplu.org.

Listen to an audio preview below …

Today on Jazz Northwest

October 19, 2008 / / No Comments

JAZZ NORTHWEST FOR OCTOBER 19, 2008

The Fall Fundraiser editiion includes music from George Cables Trio with John Clayton and Jon Wikan playing in a small club at Jazz Port Townsend, the Jon Hamar Quartet playing an Art of Jazz Concert at the Seattle Art Museum, and the five-trombone band Trombonasaurus Wrecks and The Emerald City Jazz Orchestra playing at The Pony Boy Jazz Picnic . These four unique performances were recorded specifically for Jazz Northwest and cannot be heard anywhere else.

Jazz Northwest airs exclusively on Sundays at 1 p.m. PDT on 88-5 KPLU, and streams simultaneously to the internet on kplu.org. The program is also available as a podcast after the airdate.

This Sunday on Jazz Northwest

October 10, 2008 / / No Comments

Seattle’s biggest jazz event of the year is the Earshot Jazz Festival, celebrating it’s 20th year October 18 through November 9. We’ll preview the festival with John Gilbreath this Sunday afternoon on Jazz Northwest, and listen to some of the music featured at the Earshot Jazz Festival.

Join us,Sunday afternoon at one on 88-5 KPLU.

This Weekend on Jazz Northwest

August 1, 2008 / / No Comments


photo by Jim Levitt

The Wycliffe Gordon Band with Andre Hayward is a two-trombone band reminiscent at times of J.J. & K – and Duke Ellington. The band played music ranging from swing to bop last weekend at Jazz Port Townsend and an exclusive recording of the concert by the Wycliffe Gordon Quintet will air Sunday August 3 at 1 pm PDT on Jazz Northwest on 88-5, KPLU.

Jazz Northwest is also simultaneously streamed to the internet and available as a podcast beginning Monday after the airdate. The program is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88-5 KPLU.

Jazz Northwest Preview

July 17, 2008 / / No Comments

The Hadley Caliman Quintet featuring Thomas Marriott was featured on the July Art of Jazz concert at The Seattle Art Museum. Portions of this concert will air on Jazz Northwest, Sunday, July 20 at 1 pm PDT on 88.5, KPLU. Music included selections from Hadley Caliman’s resurgent CD, “Gratitude” on Origin Records, produced by Thomas Marriott who also played on the CD.

The veteran saxophonist Hadley Caliman has performed with a wide variety of artists ranging from Gerald Wilson to Santana. He recorded four albums earlier in his career, but “Gratitude” is his first album in several decades. He taught at Cornish College for over 20 years, and today leads his own groups and is a featured soloist with The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra.

Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88.5 KPLU. The program also streams to the internet simultaneously with the broadcast and is available as podcast after the airdate.

Listen to the preview below …