Leading Questions: Jay Thomas

Jay Thomas

Interview and photo by Steve Korn

Someone once told me…hold your horn up when you play. Hmmmm I’m not sure if it matters unless you’re in a big band.

When I was 14 I decided I wanted to be a musician.

The trumpet is beautiful but unforgiving…if I pick it up to play it demands my full attention…if I don’t want to commit then it would be best to leave it alone.

If I could do it all over again, I would have to go back in time.

Practice makes me feel positive about life.

When I look at where I’m at right now
, I’m not sure where I’m at or if I’m headed anywhere…

The piece of music that taught me a lot when I was young was Lover Man…Thorlackson used to play it for me on piano and we had fun playing…it’s an easy tune and fun to play.

Some of my best ideas come to me
when I’m driving or falling asleep.

My parents were the best for ME!

Fear is OK also… sometimes…nobody goes around being afraid ALL the time.

Motivation is a result of a strong cup of coffee in the morning.

As I get older, I’ve realized that much of my life is about taking the path of least resistance….isn’t that Dharma?

The thing about
jazz I like other than the music itself is the history as told in stories…there is everything for me…Freddie, Rams, Thorlackson…all great story tellers.
Read More

Wednesday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Susan Carr Ensemble

JAZZ ALLEY: Larry Coryell B-3 Hammond Organ Trio with Alphonse Mouzon and Joe Bagg

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Hardcoretet

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio

NEW ORLEANS: The Legend Band

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Axiom, with Alexey Nikolaev (tenor sax), John Hansen (piano), Jon Hamar (bass) and Phil Parisot (drums)
9pm – Egan’s Vocal Jam, hosted by Shiri Zorn

WHISKEY BAR: Ronnie Pierce

Tuesday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: Larry Coryell B-3 Hammond Organ Trio with Joe Bagg and Alphonse Mouzon

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Leif Totusek and His 1-2-3 Trio

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Magnolia Big Band

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Jump Ensemble – “Originals and jazz standards with a twist”, with Gregg Robinson (piano), Mark Filler (drums) and Marty Hasegawa (bass)
9pm – New Bop Brigade, with Chris Stover (trombone), Travis Ranney (tenor sax), Matso Limtiaco (baritone sax), David Franklin (piano/composer), Steve Messick (bass/composer)

DEXTER AND HAYES: Tim Kennedy Trio

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Karin Kajita

MIX: Don Mock, Steve Kim & Charlie Nordstrom

Seattle Times – Bake’s: a friendly place for jazz and more

From The Seattle Times:

… I’d had the wrong idea about Bake’s Place when I recently described it in print as a living room in a house. It used to be that five years ago, before it moved to its current locale, inside a building called Town Hall. Even post-move, people said it still felt like a living room; seeing it now, I think it’s more like a cozy restaurant dining room. A recent remodel knocked out the fireplace and shows off wraparound windows — outside there are up-close trees and faraway mountains — and the bar’s new. “Just put it in last week,” says Baker.

It’s all very tranquil and unforced. Baker’s right: I did have to come here to “get it.”

“It’s an awesome community,” says Baker of the Providence Pointers, though he could just as easily be talking about his family (his kids also work here) and everybody else who comes to Bake’s Place.

Different from Seattle jazz clubs by size (it only holds 85 people) and vibe, Bake’s Place is a sanctuary of love — of music, of people. And if you can’t respect that, see ya later.

continue reading at The Seattle Times.

Monday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: Chiwoniso
Zimbabwean Popular Music Star

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: JAZZ JAM with the Darin Clendenin Trio

NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Quintet

TOST: Michael Shrieve Spellbinder

Monday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: JAZZ JAM with the Darin Clendenin Trio

NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Quintet

TOST: Michael Shrieve Spellbinder

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Ruby Bishop

WASABI BISTRO: Brazilian Jazz

Anything else? Send us a note and we’ll post it.

Sunday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: Maceo Parker

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
3:00pm: Fairly Honest Big Band
8:00pm: Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM:
Sunday Night Salsa: Rumbeggae

SERAFINA:
11am – 1:30pm: Jazz Brunch with the Conlin Roser / Cynthia Mullis Duo
6:30 – 9:00pm: Jerry Frank

La SPIGA: The Monarch Duo

WASABI BISTRO: Brazilian Jazz

Anything else? Send us a note and let us know!

Thomas Marriott / John Bishop / Jeff Johnson in Chicago…

Thomas Marriott
Friday night at Andy’s Jazz Club in Chicago, trumpeter Thomas Marriott and his band (featuring Jeff Johnson and John Bishop) joined with Chicago guitarist John McLean for a great night of music as part of the Origin Records Chicago Jazz Summit. The concert was a great example of the ongoing relationship with Chicago and Seattle artists, fostered by the Origin Records connection, and the standing-room-only crowd loved it. Tonight Matt Jorgensen will perform with guitarist Corey Christiansen, to celebrate the release of their new record “Roll With It.” The concert will also feature Chicago-based organist Pete Benson, and tenor saxophonist Scott Burns.

Be sure to check the Origin Records website for event updates, including podcasts, photo galleries and videos.

Saturday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: Maceo Parker

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Greta Matassa Quartet

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Pocket Change

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Connor Desai (guitar, vocals), Alex Trzyna (bass) and Mike O’Doherty (drums)
9pm – Decateur Buff – Americana/roots/indie, with John Wies (guitar/vocals), Mike Young (drums/percussion/vocals/flute), Gary Siegel (bass) and Stewart Raaka (flute)
11pm – Jim Knodle and The Distract Band (plus special guests), with Jim Knodle (trumpet), Mike Dodge (tenor sax), Mike Owcharuk (piano), Nate Omdal (bass) and Don Berman (drums)

BAKE’S PLACE: Jovino Santos Neto

GRAZIE: James Burnhard Blues Fusion

SERAFINA: Voodoo Trio

Friday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: Maceo Parker

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Hadley Caliman Quartet

CHAPEL PERFORMANCE SPACE: Hilario Duran and Charanga Danzon
For more info, visit: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/40144

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Momentum Jazz Quartet, with Mikel Rollins (sax), Sylvia Rollins (bass), Gregg Robinson (piano) and Mark Jelsing (drums)
9pm – Moraine, progressive experimental jazz, with Alicia Allen (violin), Ruth Davidson (cello), Jay Jaskot (drums), Kevin Millard (bass/Warr Guitar) and Dennis Rea (guitar)

GRAZIE: Greta Matassa

SERAFINA: Kelley Ash Trio

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Doug Reid Quartet
1520 NE 177th St., Shoreline, WA, 206.365.4447

HIROSHI’S: Jazz and Sushi: Jake Bergevin

Thursday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: Maceo Parker

TRIPLE DOOR MUSIQUARIUM: Kiko Freitas, Motel 5

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Sonando

NEW ORLEANS: The Ham Carson Quintet

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Jerin Falkner and Scott Andrew
9pm – Mack Grout Trio – Ray Charles tribute show! With Mack Grout (piano), Devin Lowe (bass) and Tony Falteisek (drums)

THAIKU: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson, Tad Britton

ASTEROID CAFE: Tim Kennedy

MAY: Hans Teuber Trio

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Karin Kajita

LO-FI: The Teaching

CHAPEL PERFORMANCE SPACE: Chris Stover & Acquired Voluntary Narcissism

Seasons Music Festival in Yakima runs Oct 10-18

The Seasons Fall Music Festival, a weeklong celebration of classical, jazz and latin music will debut with a concert by saxophonist Eric Alexander and his New York-based Quartet on Friday, October 10 at 7:30 PM. This will be the first of nine straight evening concerts that make up the third Seasons Fall Festival. Stars to be included include: The Finisterra Trio, Bill Mays, Ernestine Anderson, Jovino Santos Neto, Jerry Gonzalez and the Fort Apache Band, and Tierney Sutton.

Pat Strosahl, President of the Seasons Music Festival (the non-profit organization that programs the festival), says, “This is by far the most important festival we’ve staged in our three years of operation. It has internationally recognized performers every single night, an astounding educational component, and the sense of collaboration and intermingling of musical ideas that characterize the best festivals worldwide.”

Strosahl says the each night will be an event in its own right which will include dinner/appetizers, winemaker-of-the-day, and often an “Afterglow” gathering for artists, donors and interested others.

Special events include a Red Carpet Opening Night Celebration, a Birthday Party with surprises (Monday, Oct 13 is the exact third anniversary of the first performance at The Seasons), and Latin Jazz night (Friday, Oct 17) to be opened by the YVCC Jazz Band!

The Festival includes two specially commissioned works:
“Cradle Song: A Love Story in One Scene” A Chamber Opera composed by international opera composer Daron Hagen to be debuted Sunday, October 12 at 4 PM and “Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite” arranged by Bill Mays for combined classical and jazz ensembles to be performed on Tuesday, October 14 at 7:00 PM.

The education component of the festival will reach middle and high school students from around the valley, tribal students, college students from YVCC and CWU, the general public, and a selected group of the best post graduate composition students from around the nation, who will seminar for an entire week with Composer-in-Residence Daron Hagen. The Yakima Symphony and The Finisterra Trio (Artists-in-Residence) will read and perform selected student works at various times during the festival.

The latest information can be found on their website at: www.seasonsmusicfestival.com

Wednesday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: Ed Reed and the Peck Allmond Quartet

TRIPLE DOOR:
MAINSTAGE: Brian Nova Orchestra
MUSICQUARIUM: Paul Kemmish and Andy Coe 

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Greta Matassa Vocal Workshop

NEW ORLEANS: The Legend Band w/ Clarence Acox

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Cyrille Gosselin’s Quartet Impromptu, Cyrille Gosselin (guitar/vocals), Joe Casalini (bass), Bob Merryhew (drums), percussions: Chris Jaquin (percussion), Michael Owcharuk (piano/accordion)
9pm – Vocal jazz jam session, hosted by Gayle Cloud, with the Dan Sales Trio

WHISKEY BAR: Ronnie Pierce

Origin Records Chicago Jazz Summit

September 24th – 27th

In celebration of their relationship with almost two dozen Chicago jazz musicians and the clubs that support them, Origin Records will head to Chicago on Sept. 24th to present the Origin Records Chicago Jazz Summit. Over four days, Andy’s Jazz Club plays host to close to 40 Origin and OA2 musicians including established Chicago artists Geof Bradfield, Alison Ruble, John McLean, Kelly Brand, Scott Burns, Kyle Asche and Seattle musicians Thomas Marriott, Jeff Johnson, John Bishop, Matt Jorgensen, and Chad McCullough.

Included in the weeks events will be CD release events for Geof Bradfield’s Urban Nomad, and Corey Christiansen’s Roll With It.

For a complete line-up of artists, visit Origin Records events page.

Tell your friends!

Seattle Film/Music/Digital Media Happy Hour

Wednesday September 24th, 5-7pm at Sole Repair on Capitol Hill

You are invited to the new Film, Music and Digital Media Happy Hour sponsored by the Seattle Mayor’s Office of Film + Music, WashingtonFilmWorks, the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Recording Academy, and Washington Interactive Network.

Seattle has been a growing hub for film, music and digital media over the past several years, and it is vital for these three communities to interact for our city to continue to thrive. This Happy Hour offers just such an environment for people from these industries to socialize, network, and build a unified community.

These Happy Hour events are held on the last Wednesday of every month from 5 to 7pm, and are hosted at Sole Repair, located at 1001 East Pike Street on Capitol Hill (near the corner of 10th and Pike). Must be at least 21 or older to attend. We hope to see you there!

Tuesday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Music Works Big Band

JAZZ ALLEY: Ed Reed and the Peck Allmond Quartet

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Boston to Austin, with Liz Stahler and Brianna Lane
9pm – Victor Noriega Trio Plus 2, with Victor Noriega (piano), Jay Thomas (horns), Mark Taylor (alto sax), Willie Blair (bass) and Kassa Overall (drums)

DEXTER AND HAYES: Tim Kennedy Trio

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Karin Kajita

MIX: Don Mock, Steve Kim & Charlie Nordstrom

OWL ‘N THISTLE: Jam Session

Monday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: JAZZ JAM with the Darin Clendenin Trio

NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Quintet

TOST: Michael Shrieve Spellbinder

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Ruby Bishop

Sunday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: Earl Klugh

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
3:00pm: Jay Thomas Big Band
8:00pm: Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM:
Sunday Night Salsa: Tor Dietrichson & Mambo Cadillac

TUTTA BELLA WALLINGFORD: Casey McGill’s Blue 4 Trio

SERAFINA:
11am – 1:30pm: Jazz Brunch with the Conlin Roser Duo
6:30 – 9:00pm: Ann reynolds / Tobi Stone Duo

La SPIGA: Roger Pegues Duo

WASABI BISTRO: Brazilian Jazz

Saturday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Susan Pascal Quartet

JAZZ ALLEY: Earl Klugh

THE TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Red Eye Flight

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Island Jazz Quintet, Maggie Laird (vocals/melodica), Richard Person (trumpet/flugelhorn), Tom Wilkins (piano), Todd Zimberg (drums), Todd Gowers (bass)
9pm – Steve Korn Group with Steve Korn (drums), Mark Taylor (sax), Marc Seales (piano) and John Hamar (bass)

CHAPEL PERFORMANCE SPACE: Ziggurat Ensemble 
Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, 8pm

SERAFINA: Leo Raymundo w/ Sue Nixon

GRAZIE: Michael Powers Group

BAKE’S PLACE: Kelley Johnson Quartet

SORRENTO HOTEL: Katy Bourne Trio

PAMPAS ROOM: Brian Nova w/ Stephanie Porter

Seattle Times: Jazz singer’s long road to intersection with destiny

from The Seattle Times

Now 79, Reed will return to Seattle for the first time since 1946, performing Tuesday and Wednesday night at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley with the man who could be fairly credited for discovering Reed: reed and trumpet player Peck Allmond.

“The first thing I thought when I heard him [at Jazz CampWEST] was, ‘Why don’t I have all his recordings?’ ” said Allmond, who played on both of Reed’s albums and produced Reed’s 2008 work, “The Song Is You.”

Reed, who lives in Richmond, Calif., and Allmond will perform with the other members of Allmond’s quartet, drummer Todd Strait, bassist Scott Steed and pianist Randy Porter. Empathetic and personal, Reed’s voice tells a story as much as it sings a song. Reed’s cinematic back story has attracted a lot of attention in a short time. He has played clubs in New York, Boston and San Francisco. And he recently recorded a segment of Marian McPartland’s radio show, “Piano Jazz.”