Underground Sounds with Thomas Marriott, Rick Mandyck, Jeff Johnson & John Bishop

Tue Apr 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 8 PM / Underbelly- 119 First Av S.

Underbelly, the quaint cellar bar on First Avenue in Pioneer Square sits directly across the street from what was the New Orleans club, a former hub of local Seattle jazz. That vibe lives on Tuesday nights in the former burlesque venue, with four of the city’s top jazz musicians colliding in an explosive chordless quartet that at times has been known as “Free Fall.” This is an opportunity to witness great jazz in an informal environment with no cover. 

Trumpeter Thomas Marriott leads this band of long time mates with a strong intuitive connection. The author of fourteen albums as a leader and a recent inductee into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame is joined by the incomparable duo of bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop. Saxophonist Rick Mandyck has switched to alto, but bears the sound and approach of some of the great tenor players in jazz. The band plays originals from Marriott, Mandyck and Johnson, along with a few standards. The vibe in the room is relaxed, the drinks are first class and there is a very cute puppy in the house to add to the charm. The house screens classic films and cartoons as well! A highly recommended hang on Tuesday nights.

Thomas Marriott Quartet

Thu Apr 18, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.

Trumpeter Thomas Marriott has been moving the needle more than anyone on the Seattle jazz scene over the past fifteen years and more–and this is true even before he founded the Seattle Jazz Fellowship. The author of fourteen albums as a leader and many more as a sideman, Marriott has been electrifying the scene with his live performances from the New Orleans and Tula’s era to the new SJF digs in Pioneer Square. In that time, he has been recognized as one of the finest trumpet players in jazz.

His bandleading skills inlude the wisdom to hire a band to play his original tunes and stick with them, creating chemistry and intimate knowledge of the music. Pianist Tim Kennedy has been behind the piano in Marriott’s Seattle quartet for some time now. Bassist Trevor Ford‘s style fits well with Marriott’s tunes that can push the edges while swinging hard. New York transplant Stefan Schatz is a drummer steeped in the jazz tradition that is new to the band. This is one not to miss. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Stanley Clarke

Thu Apr 18 – Sun Apr 21, 7:30 & 9:30 PM / Jazz Alley

Electric bass virtuoso, and NEA Jazz Master Stanley Clarke has been lighting it up for fifty years. Brought to national attention as a member of Return to Forever with Chick Corea, Clarke has gone on to become a jazz fusion pioneer and living legend through his recordings and performances as a leader.

Clark hits Jazz Alley in trio mode, in collective spirit with Dave Weckl on drums and piano / keyboard ace Beka Gochiashvili. Weckl is to fusion drumming what Clark is to the electric bass– a true match made in heaven. These shows amount to fusion royalty present in Seattle. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=7539

Jun Iida Quintet

Fri & Sat Apr 19 – 20, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.

Trumpeter Jun Iida hits the Fellowship for a two night residency on the heels of his new release on Origin Records, Evergreen. Iida has a fluid and full trumpet sound. Having four sets over two nights gives the band a chance to reallyn dig into his tunes, with the help of this well put together band. Pianist Dylan Hayes, guitarist Martin Budde, bassist Michael Glynn and drummer Xavier Lecouturier represent a formidable gathering for Iida to work his magic. Always good for a trumpet player to have a band stocked with skilled soloists. For the audience, it presents a diversity of sound across the board over a weekend residency that makes attending both nights an excellent option. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

The Racer Sessions: James Falzone

Sun Apr 21, 7 PM / Gallery 1412- 1412 18th Ave

The Racer Sessions are an iconic series of performances that feature artists in exploration mode. There is a wide variance in the performances depending on the participating artist, but all are strong in the art of improvisation. The tradition began at the old Cafe Racer on the edge of the University District, when it was a hip coffee bar. The sessions moved to the current incarnation of Racer on Capitol Hill, but have moved once again to the intimate room at Gallery 1412.

Clarinetist James Falzone is a world class musician, and a master of both classical and improvised forms. For his Fellowship date, he plays clarinet and piano in duo with Seattle-based dancer Giordana Falzone. G. Falzone is an accomplished movement artist, and the daughter of the noted clarinetist. https://www.racersessions.com/

Ann Reynolds Quartet

with Tobi Stone, Heather Chriscaden & Evan Woodle

Ian Hughes Quartet

Thu Apr 25, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship – 109 S. Main St.

Pianist Ann Reynolds has been featuring the compositions of female composers in her recent performances, including those of the great Mary Lou Williams. Her skillful arrangements have raised awareness of these “new standards” for her audiences. Reynolds is supported by the solid rhythm section of bassist Heather Chriscaden and drummer Evan Woodle. Her beautifully harmonic support elevates the soaring, bold sound of tenor saxophonist Tobi Stone, who acts as the lead voice of this well formed quartet. 

Guitarist Ian Hughes makes his Fellowship debut, leading a band that includes drummer Chris Patin, alto saxophonist Michael Jedynak, and bassist Marina Christopher. Hughes is known around Seattle for his work with the band Freudian Slurp among others projects. He is a tradition based player, with branches that extend into funk and adventurous original compositions. For this performance, he offers compositions inspired by nature, written during the pandemic to channel joy into times of despair. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Julio Jauregui

Fri Apr 26, 7 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.

Nobody embodies the spirit of Latin jazz in Seattle, better than talented pianist Julio Jauregui. The Mexico City native is an excellent jazz pianist who has pushed the limits of Latin music through a number of musical associations. He founded the band Tumbao with vocalist Carlos Cascante in 2001, and has been thrilling jazz and latin audiences with that combo ever since. Many of Jauregui’s performances are outside the orbit of local jazz programming. It’s satisfying to see him on the SJF schedule, giving the audience there the opportunity to witness his artistry and virtuosity. Band TBA https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Dylan Hayes Trio with Jeff Johnson & Xavier Lecouturier

Sat Apr 27, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.

Dylan Hayes is a highly skilled pianist, composer and arranger who moves around the Seattle jazz scene in a wide ranging sort of way. He is the curator of the legacy of conmposer Jim Knapp, and co-leads The Jim Knapp Orchestra with Jay Thomas. As a member of the collective ensemble, Meridian Odyssey, he is challenged in all facets of his skillset. For this performance, he strips it all down to the studs, performing in the traditional jazz piano trio format. It will be fun to see how the composer / arranger side of him interacts with the jazz pianist.

Hayes has chosen excellent partners for this trio venture. Bassist Jeff Johnson has been blazing a new trail through trio configurations for decades with the likes of Hal Galper, Jessica Williams, Chano Dominguez and Bill Anschell. Drummer Xavier Lecouturier has been Hayes’ musical partner since high school days in California, and shares a collective spirit with the pianist. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Willie Jones III Sextet

Tue Apr 30 – Wed May 1, 7:30 PM / Jazz Alley

Drummer Willie Jones III is touring in support of his new album Fallen Heroes, an homage to a long list of his mentors that include Roy Hargrove, Larry Willis and Jimmy Heath. Speaking of Hargrove, Jones has Justin Robinson on alto, a veteran of the late trumpeter’s quintet. Young trumpeter Giveton Gelin is on the gig as well, a rising star in jazz who appeared recently in Seattle at Langston. Vocalist Christie Dashiell adds a different dimension to the proceedings, with pianist Keith Brown and bassist Gerald Cannon rounding out this stellar assemblage of talent. This is one that has “fly under the radar” written all over it, and could well be one of the best hits of the year at Jazz Alley. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=7527

Chris McCarthy Quintet

Wed May 1, 7:30 PM / Royal Room

Chris McCarthy is a Seattle born and raised pianist based in New York City. His style rests on the edge of straight ahead modern jazz and modern improvised music. His articulate, probing playing does not delineate a particular style in the jazz world, and possesses a refreshing openness and clarity. He is joined by the dynamic front line of Japanese born trumpeter Takuya Kuroda and dedicated baritone saxophonist Eden Bareket. Both bassist Sam Minaie and drummer Steven Crammer are adventurous spirits in the post-bop tradition that have a penchant for producing elasticity in their approach to rhythmic aspects of a given tune. 

This date will tend to slip under the radar, due to the Royal Room’s outdated and puzzling approach to publicity. Don’t allow that to deter you from venturing to Columbia City and welcoming home a brilliant Seattle artist who is making his mark in New York. https://theroyalroomseattle.com/event/chris-mccarthy-quintet-feat-takuya-kuroda/

Trombonasaurus Wrecks

Thu May 2, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 Main St.

Veteran trombonist Dan Marcus has been a major voice on the Seattle music scene for decades. His work includes highly visible gigs with SRJO and a variety of small bands in the area’s best clubs. His playing is also heard in show bands around town at the city’s showcase theaters. His musical personality is bold and virtuosic. Trombonasaurus Wrecks is his statement as a proud, unabashed trombonist living in a trumpet and saxophone dominated world. For good measure, he brings along a cadre of the city’s best trombonists, including the brilliant David Marriott, Jr.. Add relative newcomers Beserat Tafesse and Audrey Stangland, and you have a low toned wall of sound that ascends to trombone heaven. With pianist John Hansen and bassist Greg Feingold or Heather Chriscaden in tow in the rhythm section, this band is sure to vibrate the foundation of the intimate room at 109 S. Main. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Matt Jorgensen Quintet

Fri & Sat May 3 – 4, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.

Drummer/composer Matt Jorgensen is the author of eleven albums as a leader or co-leader, including his modern jazz band, +451. He has co-led the ensembles Chamber 3, Human Spirit with Thomas Marriott and Mark Taylor, and NYC with Gary Versace. He is co-principal of Origin Records, the highly regarded Seattle based label.

Jorgensen has a way of measuring the pulse of the Seattle scene and assembling a band that best interprets his original compositions. For this iteration of his quintet, he teams with his longtime ally Mark Taylor on alto saxophone, joined in the front line by young tenor saxophonist Jackson Cotugno. Pianist Dylan Hayes has been making a name for himself as a composer/arranger, as well as an up and coming voice on piano. Bassist Kelsey Mines has become a highly visible presence on the scene, performing in a wide-ranging array of gigs that covers a broad spectrum of the jazz idiom. Jorgensen’s two night residency presents him with an opportunity to reach out over his two plus decade career as a composer, and dig deep into the sound. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Free Fall with Jeff Johnson

Thu May 9, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.

Free Fall is a chord-less quartet that in rare appearances over the years, has gained a reputation as a free spooling affair with four of the best jazz musicians this city has produced historically. The core of the band’s history goes back to a weekly gig in Ballard in the 1990’s, when bassist Jeff Johnson, drummer John Bishop and saxophonist Rick Mandyck led a trio gig that would every so often add a fourth member. That fourth member now is trumpeter Thomas Marriott, adding a different dynamic to the band. 

The quartet performs original compositions, many of which are open ended, freedom seeking scores written by Johnson and Mandyck. Marriott adds his tunes as well, selecting those that very well may have been incubated in this harmony liberated environment. Johnson’s trailblazing style on bass, and Bishop’s orchestral sound on drums tends to bring the best out of Marriott and Mandyck. One not to miss on the May calendar. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Marina Albero Trio / Quartet

Fri & Sat May 10 – 11, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.

It’s now been ten years since pianist Marina Albero arrived in Seattle from her native Barcelona. The daughter of iconic Catalan musician / composer Marian Albero has created a style that reflects the many different directions her musical journey has taken her. A four month sabbatical in New Orleans is the latest journey taken by Albero, an immersion into her music while surrounded by the multiplicity of musical influences that encompass the crescent city. Albero hits SJF upon her return from that real life deep dive into the melting pot of American music, for a two night residency that features two different bands.

Albero breaks things down into the classic trio format on the first night, joining in conversation with bassist Kelsey Mines and drummer D’Vonne Lewis. Saturday night will feature a quartet with drummer Xavier Lecouturier, bassist Trevor Ford and tenor saxophonist Jackson Cotugno. With a different band and different tunes each night, attending both nights is a great option. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Johnaye Kendrick

Fri & Sat May 17-18, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.

Now with a Grammy in tow from her work in the vocal quartet, saje, vocal artist Johnaye Kendrick returns home to the SJF for two sets of original music and selected standards. A professorship at Cornish brought her to us in Seattle, and we have reaped the benefits of her artistry ever since. The author of two solo albums with a long list of finely crafted original tunes, Kendrick will be working up some new tunes to be included in her next album. An original board member of the Seattle Jazz Fellowship, Kendrick thrilled the audience on the opening weekend of the new Pioneer Square digs. She is joined in her return by bassist Chris Symer, pianist Dylan Hayes and drummer Byron Vannoy.  Another stellar two night residency by SJF with one of the true gems of the Seattle and international jazz scene. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Jory Tindall: Left Coast

Thur May 23, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St

Saxophonist Jory Tindall has put together a band to celebrate the West Coast style, with a non-chordal quartet in the spirit of Lee Konitz, Lennie Tristano and Chet Baker. The band will present original music inspired by the west coast movement, though nuanced by Tindall’s hard bop DNA. Driven by bassist Greg Feingold and drummer Stefan Schatz, Tindall is joined on the front line by trumpeter Jun Iida. Feingold is a bold presence on double bass, and a perfect fit for this assemblage. Plenty of room here for melodic improvisation from the front line. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Ray Vega Quartet

Fri & Sat May 24 – 25, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.

Trumpeter Ray Vega is a native of the Bronx, NY, and a veteran of the bands of Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, Johnny Pacheco and many, many more. He is also a master practitioner of bebop. Vega met a young Thomas Marriott in Seattle while on a tour stop at Jazz Alley, and became a close friend of the young trumpeter and his family. Their friendship became a musical partnership under the banner of “East-West Trumpet Summit,” resulting in three albums on the Origin Records label and accompanying live performances. 

This time around, Vega performs in quartet mode with three of Seattle’s finest. Pianist Eric Verlinde is a perfect match for the trumpeter’s personal musical journey. He is a master jazz pianist with a special affection for Latin jazz. Bassist Michael Glynn is a first call Seattle player with the acute musical flexibility to interact with a wide range of approaches to the jazz lexicon. He appeared on the latest East-West Trumpet Summit album, Coast to Coast (Origin, 2022). Drummer John Bishop is an iconic Seattle performer acclaimed on an international scale. He has been one of the leading voices in the Seattle jazz community for forty years as a drummer, record label owner, graphic designer and festival presenter. He has appeared on over 100 albums and has recorded and toured with the likes of Hal Galper, Jessica Williams, Sonny Fortune and Ernestine Anderson to name but a few. He was elected to the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame in 2008. 

Vega is a genuine soul and a bright light in the music world. Get there early for this one, it should fill up quickly. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Victor North

Thu May 30, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.

Philadelphia based tenor saxophonist Victor North has roots in Seattle and Alaska, moving to Philly some twenty five years ago after attending Rutgers University. In that time, he has established himself as a prominent voice on the fertile Philly scene, performing with the late Joey DeFancesco, Orrin Evans’ Captain Black Big Band, Charles Fambrough, Terrell Stafford and a variety of others. North is a powerful presence on the tenor, a straight ahead player with an eclectic view of the music. He doesn’t perform in Seattle all that often, take advantage of this opportunity. Band TBA https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Machado Mijiga Trio

Fri & Sat May 31 – Jun 1, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.

Machado Mijiga is a Portland based drummer / composer who has a close connection to the new wave of young jazz artists in Seattle. Making his second SJF appearance, Mijiga will perform in trio mode with one of those Seattle players in pianist Dylan Hayes. Veteran first-call bassist Michael Glynn completes the trio, in an environment where listeners will be able to witness his elegance as a soloist in ample portions. Mijiga’s style is intricate in form, polyrhythmic at times and nuanced in pure energy. At this point in his career, he is stylistically diverse, still in search of a true voice as he well should be. All of that musical gathering will be pared down to the moment at hand in trio mode, with Hayes’ harmonic imagination creating shapes for bass and drums to interact with. The date ends an active and broad ranging month of programming at the Seattle Jazz Fellowship. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events