Seattle Jazz Scene: Live Jazz Previews for Seattle

Tuesday Night Jam at the Owl
Hosted by Matt Williams
Tuesdays at 9:30 PM / Owl ‘n Thistle
The Tuesday night jam at the Owl is a Seattle tradition dating back to 1997, and a band known as Bebop and Destruction. It’s interesting, and often zany history includes wild antics, colorful characters and many a drop in from national touring musicians including Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Branford Marsalis, Emmett Cohen and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Pianist Eric Verlinde guided the jam into more tranquil waters over his eighteen years directing the session, a tenure that recently ended. Pianist Matt Williams has now taken the reins, injecting a new found enthusiasm and freeing up Verlinde to come and hang and play! The 9:30 start enables musicians with gigs that evening to show up and play after the opening set that lasts forty five minutes or so.
The session is very important within the musical and social fabric of the Seattle jazz scene. The very interesting and often humorous history of the session is well documented in an article I wrote for All About Jazz a few years back. Link provided below.https://www.allaboutjazz.com/tuesday-night-jams-at-the-owl-a-25-year-legacy-in-seattle

Artemis
Tue & Wed Jun 24-25, 7:30 PM / Jazz Alley
Artemis is a collective of some of the leading female voices in jazz today. That alone is means to celebrate, but more precisely, the celebration point is the huge amount of talent the band brings on a nightly basis to whatever stage they occupy. Founded by pianist Renee Rosnes, bassist Noreko Ueda, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen and drummer Allison Miller, the band now features Portland born and raised tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover. Glover pairs with Jensen as band members with PNW ties, as Jensen hails from Nanaimo, BC.
Every member of this band are quite capable and successful as bandleaders, yet as a collective they are a positive force on the festival circuit, as well as club tours such as this that brings them to the stage at JA. Glover, now one of the most acclaimed tenor players in jazz, is emblematic in many ways of strong female musicians who have benefited from the mentorship of the highly respected veteran musicians in this band. Glover and Jensen are one of the most formidable front lines in the music today, and just one reason you should be present when this quintet makes one of its rare appearances in Seattle. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=8658

Double Bill: Karin Kajita Quartet / Adam Chmaj Quartet
Thu Jun 26, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.
The double bill shows at SJF tend to shed light on artists with whom you might not be all that familiar with. This is certainly the case here. To be honest, as someone who attends as many jazz sets in Seattle as anybody, my personal exposure to the two featured artists are from the jam sessions at SJF and the Owl.

Adam Chmaj is a tenor saxophonist with a big sound reminiscent of traditionalists like the great Coleman Hawkins, but with a modern bent to his approach. Pianist Karin Kajita has shown herself to be a strong soloist and agile accompanist behind the keys, in general, making everyone on the bandstand sound better. She has that rare quality of being able to listen and calmly integrate her playing in the moment.
Chmaj will be presenting a mix of original tunes with bassist Moe Weisner, drummer Luca Cartner and pianist Chris Schindele. Kajita will offer originals along with hard bop tunes that are perhaps underappreciated. She sports a veteran band that features Seattle tenor stalwart Rich Cole, trumpeter Erik Esvelt, bassist Andy Zadrozny and drummer Randy Doak. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Jahnvi Madan Quartet
Fri Jun 27, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St,
Clarinetist / Composer Jahnvi Madan hits the new Pioneer Square space of the Seattle Jazz Fellowship, with a crisp new quartet and some new music from her upcoming debut album. Some standards will be covered as well, with an emphasis on Madan’s affection for the music of Duke Ellington.
With bassist Kelsey Mines and drummer Chris Icasiano, Madan’s quartet takes on an eclectic quality in the sense that it is a versatile vehicle that can travel anywhere. Brilliant 19-year-old pianist Roman Goron completes the quartet, a good opportunity to see him play before his departure to New York to attend Juilliard. Clarinet-based quartets are a rare bird in modern jazz, unlike in times past in jazz history when the instrument was in high demand. Nice to see the tide turning a bit here. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Milo Petersen Quartet
Sat Jun 28, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship
Guitarist Milo Petersen has set the gold standard for jazz guitar in Seattle. His influence over generations as a mentor is unmatched on his instrument here, and his legacy as a performer is a fitting match. As a founding member of the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, and as a leader and sideman in countless combos around town, Petersen has forged a national identity for himself.
The guitarist hits the new SJF space at 103 S. Main St. with a cast of familiar faces – friends and musicians with whom he has shared musical experiences for many years. Bassist Phil Sparks, drummer Greg Campbell and tenor saxophonist Steve Griggs make up this veteran quartet, performing Petersen originals and skillful arrangements of jazz standards. A notable jazz drummer as well, Petersen will stick to the 7-string guitar for this one, leaving the rhythm chops for Campbell. A great evening to see some veteran straight-ahead musicians tearing it up! https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Monday Night Jazz Jam at Seattle Jazz Fellowship
Monday Nights at 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.
The all-ages Monday night jam has become quite a thing, with an attentive, trending young listening audience standing side by side with a long roll call of musicians. Now in the new basement club occupied by the non-profit, the vibe is intimate as the evening begins with a short, half hour max set by the Thomas Marriott Quartet. There is a sign up list that enables settings that make musical sense, allowing the session to move along at a good pace, promoting the mentorship cycle. Most importantly, it’s just plain fun, and the hang is one of the weekly highlights on the scene. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Tobi Stone Quartet
Fri July 11, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.
Tenor saxophonist Tobi Stone has always approached her instrument in an original style, largely influenced by her time spent with Olympia saxophone legend, Bert Wilson. The late saxophonist pioneered the use of multi-phonics, applying his technique to bebop and avant-garde styles. Stone travels in good company for this performance, calling in pianist Ann Reynolds, bassist Heather Chriscaden and drummer Eric Eagle. The show will feature originals, some of which will be dedicated to Wilson.
Stone is fast approaching Seattle legend status, as a strong, forward moving, groundbreaking female musician. Her fully resonant sound on the tenor saxophone bears traits of generations of tenor tradition in jazz, received and shared in her very personal way. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Greta Matassa Sextet
Sat July 12, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.
Seattle vocal artist Greta Matassa is a dynamic vocal talent, as we all know. An artist with a remarkable vocal skill set, as well as a keen sense as a bandleader, Matassa may yet be most acclaimed for impacting the jazz vocal community at large as a mentor. One can plainly witness this fact at each of her gigs, enthusiastically attended by her appreciative devotees. It helps, always, to have a killin’ band at your disposal, with your life partner holding down the groove on bass. Clipper Anderson and drummer Mark Ivester have been the push behind this modern jazz juggernaut of sorts. Saxophonist Alexey Nikolaev is the Matassa’s counterpoint on the front line, while pianist David Lee Joyner is the perfect accompanist. Don’t sleep on Joyner however, the south sound veteran can be a force on his own. Guitarist Brian Monroney is one of the most skilled players on the scene, adding another dimension to the band.
There is never a good time to NOT attend a Greta Matassa gig. She plays a lot of gigs around the sound, but the vibe of this occasion at SJF, in the new room, should be special. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Nick Biello Quintet
Mon July 14, 7:30 PM / Royal Room
Alto saxophonist Nick Biello is a master of his instrument, and you owe it to yourself, as a jazz fan, to see him perform. That being said, there are a plethora of great jazz musicians, some of them very young in age and tenure, who fail to take their audience to that desired place of repose and awakening that we all seek. Biello stands out in this way, always using his virtuosity to create that direct pathway to the above stated theorectical place of musical grace. Shedding the poetic, let’s just say that the cat can really play, cares a great deal about the audience being an integral part of the experience, and always has a band that can support these notions in full.
Trumpeter Charlie Porter is equally of interest, a master player with a bold, round trumpet sound rarely heard. A leader and author of several highly acclaimed albums, Porter is known to PNW jazz fans per his long residency in Portland, before departing for New York. Pianist Chris McCarthy holds that special PNW connection as well, growing up in and around Seattle before his trek to NYC. McCarthy is an in demand player in Gotham, known for his high skill level and sensitivity to his musical surroundings. Bassist Alex Tremblay is a noted bandleader and recording artist as well, often collaborating with Biello and McCarthy in the process. Austrian drummer Peter Kronreif is an in-demand quantity in NYC, known for his versatility and musicality.
What all of this adds up to is chemistry, that state of familiarity where fear is lost and innovation begins, This should be a fun ride. https://theroyalroomseattle.com/event/nick-biello-quintet/

Martin Budde
Thu July 17, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.
Guitarist Martin Budde has earned acclaim as an innovative and flexible player over the past half decade or so in Seattle. As a member of the new wave of jazz talent in the city, Budde helped pave the way out of pandemic slumber with the collective Meridian Odyssey, resulting in two recordings for the highly regarded Origin Records label. In 2023, he released his first solo album, a trio effort with Ben Feldman and Xavier Lecouturier for Origin titled Back Burner.
Budde’s guitar style is accented by his upbringing in Alaska, gathering sounds from bluegrass and folk forms and incorporating them into his jazz lexicon. For this hit at Seattle Jazz Fellowship, he forms a trio with pianist Dylan Hayes and bassist Trevor Ford, exploring music without a traditional drummer.https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Victor Noriega Kuyatet
Fri July 18, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.
Victor Noriega was a prominent member of the Seattle scene before he relocated to Vancouver, BC. It’s good to see him on the SJF schedule as the pianist returns and reunites with some old mates in Pioneer Square.
Dubbed “Kuyatet,” Noriega dives into jazz interpretations of Fililpino folk songs and Tagalog language standards and originals along the same musical lines. Bassist Michael Glynn shares a strong rhythm section featuring drummer Eric Eagle and percussionist Jeff Busch.
Seattle is a city with a strong Filipino music scene, including jazz music. This is a great opportunity to experience the music in the hands of a fine jazz pianist in Noriega, joined by a contingent of some of the city’s best musicians. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Roman Goron Quintet +
featuring Jay Thomas, Joel Steinke, Xavier Lecouturier & Trevor Ford
Sat July 19, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.
It seems almost obligatory to preface pianist Roman Goron’s name with “nineteen year old,” or “young,” when describing his abilities as a pianist and composer. He will turn twenty in August before he departs for New York to attend Juilliard. To this point, Goron is remarkably self-taught, with some guidance from mentors such as Dave Kikoski. His portal of entry onto the Seattle scene was through area jam sessions, evolving into a leader of his own trio, and a noted sideperson who has accompanied artists such as Sarah Hanahan and Joe Farnsworth. Clearly, the age reference is rapidly disappearing from his introduction.
This performance is his send-off to NYC, in giving thanks and appreciation to the scene that has nurtured his talent and given it a stage to perform on. It will begin in quintet mode, with Goron welcoming in Seattle jazz legend Jay Thomas, saxophonist Joel Steinke, bassist Trevor Ford and drummer Xavier Lecouturier. The second set will feature a cast of special guests that will perform music from the pianist’s young, but busy career. Goron has come a long way in so many ways. This is a good chance to see him off in a positive way. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Wellstone Conspiracy featuring Bill Anschell, John Bishop, Brent Jensen & Jeff Johnson
Sat July 26, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.
Wellstone Conspiracy is in this case, a band- not a conspiracy. In fact, it is a quartet that includes four of the finest musicians this city has to offer, playing original music that has a very unique character. The last time Wellstone performed live was at Tula’s, the iconic Belltown jazz spot that disappeared on Halloween night in 2019. If you are familiar with the four musicians, you can imagine what qualities they might bring with them into the collective. If not, let me help you catch up.
The origins of the collective goes back to Brent Jensen‘s recording projects, in particular the soprano and alto saxophonist’s Origin Records release, One More Mile (2006). The quartet would go on to record two notable albums- Motives in 2009, and Humble Origins, released in 2011. Bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop are a known quantity as a duo on many projects, including the groundbreaking rubato trio of Hal Galper. Johnson’s jazz story dates back to time with Philly Joe Jones, while Bishop has performed with Ernestine Anderson and a host of others, all the while creating the Origin Records platform. Pianist Bill Anschell is a noted composer, and the leader of a several bands. His piano trio with Johnson and D’Vonne Lewis is a staple on the Seattle scene. Anschell has an extensive recording history with Origin, many of his recordings including his bandmates in Wellstone Conspiracy.
Every once in a while, you have to take that classic car out of the garage and take it for a spin around the neighborhood, you dig? At some point in that ride, you’re going to learn new things and realize the evolving potential that lies under the hood on a given day. As this poke around Pioneer Square is a rare occassion, this is one ride worth taking, a highlight on the July jazz calendar in Seattle. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events