Tuesday Jazz

February 12, 2008 / / No Comments

JAZZ ALLEY: Eliane Elias with Marc Johnson and Adam Nussbaum

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Emerald City Jazz Orchestra

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: N.O.Net, Nate Omdal Nonet, with Brian Bermudez (alto sax), Mike Dodge (tenor sax), Andrew Morrill (bari sax), Corey Dansereau (trumpet), Jason Parker (flugelhorn), Andy Clausen (trombone), Mike Owcharuk (piano), Dave Bush (drums), Nate Omdal (arranger, bass)

SERAFINA: Josh Hickman, solo guitar

UGLY MUG COFFEEHOUSE: Norm Bellas & Bob Antolin
11425 Rainier Ave S, 772-3151

Eliane Elias at Jazz Alley with Marc Johnson and Adam Nussbaum

February 12, 2008 / / No Comments

The Pacific Jazz Institute and Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley present for two nights only, Brazilian vocalist /pianist Eliane Elias, touring in support of her latest release Something For You: Eliane Elias Sings and Plays Bill Evans. Band members include Marc Johnson (bass) and Adam Nussbaum (drums). Set times Tuesday and Wednesday are at 7:30PM. Doors open at 6pm on Tuesday and 5:30pm on Wednesday.

It takes a rare artist to make a statement through music that extends his or her legacy through the act of paying tribute to someone else. Eliane Elias is one of the few who can pull off this contradictory tour de force. Throughout Something for You: Eliane Elias Sings and Plays Bill Evans, her latest album and the first to mark her return to the Blue Note Records family, she does exactly that. While touching the essence of the late great Bill Evans, she also brings her own unique gifts to the surface, as a composer, interpreter, outstanding instrumentalist and beguiling vocalist as well.

Every moment of Something for You radiates the sound that Elias had begun developing back in her home country of Brazil as a child, based on her unique juxtapositions of elegant phrasing, adventurous harmony and breezy swing, each element complementing the others. In this sense, this album will be no surprise to those who have learned to expect excellence from Elias as a matter of course.

With many awards under her belt including a Grammy Nomination, Ms. Elias was featured in the Thelonious Monk Institute’s televised Second Annual “Celebration of America’s Music” at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra, the JVC Festival with Sting, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, and Caetano Veloso at Lincoln Center in New York, the televised Piano Grand , and a Gala celebration for the 300th Anniversary of the piano in Washington DC, just to name a few.

Monday Jazz

February 11, 2008 / / No Comments

Here is what’s happening tonight:

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jazz Jam w/ Darin Clendenin Trio

NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Quintet

SERAFINA: The Piper Olson Duo

LA SPIGA: Ray Baldwin & Sam Chambliss

Herbie Hancock wins top Grammy award

February 11, 2008 / / No Comments

If you thought the New York Giants winning the Super Bowl was a major upset, imagine the shock when a jazz musician won the top Grammy award for Album Of The Year!

From the AP:

In a major shocker, Winehouse lost the final award of the night, album of the year, to Herbie Hancock’s “River: The Joni Letters.”

“You know it’s been 43 years since the first and only time that a jazz artist got the album of the year award,” Hancock said.

“I’d like to thank the Academy for courageously breaking the mold this time. In doing so, honoring the giants upon whose shoulders I stand, some of whom like Miles Davis, John Coltrane … unquestionably, deserved the award in the past. But this is a new day, that proves that the impossible can be made possible.”

Ben Thomas and Tangabrazo at Bake’s Place

February 7, 2008 / / No Comments

Bake’s Place regular Ben Thomas (vibes/bandoneon) brings a special new project for a night of tango music. Joining Ben will be Eric Rynes (violin), Jerrod Wendland (piano) and Jeff Norwood (bass). They have been playing milongas for dancers in dance halls throughout Washington, but will have a change of venue by playing at Bakes’ Place in Issaquah. Come join them and Craig and Laura Baker for a night of tangos, waltzes, milongas and great food.

Saturday February 9, 2008
Ben Thomas and Tangabrazo!

Bake’s Place at Providence Point
4135 Providence Point Dr. SE
Issaquah, WA 98029
phone: 425-391-3335
http://bakesplace.org

Details:
Dinner Time: 7:00 – 8:00pm
Performance Time: 8:00 – 10:30pm
Dinner and show price: $49.50 (3 course; includes dinner salad, entree and gourmet dessert)
Show Price: $22.00

Thursday Jazz

February 7, 2008 / / No Comments

JAZZ ALLEY: Chris Botti

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Beth Winter / Dawn Clement Quartet

THE TRIPLE DOOR:
MAINSTAGE: Jessica Williams with special guest Aiko Shimada
MUSICQUARIUM: Concept Trio

NEW ORLEANS: The Ham Carson Quintet

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Cuong Vu Trio
Sets at 7:00 and 9:00pm. Reserved seating is full for both these shows. Any additional seats are available on a first-come first-served basis.

SERAFINA: Graham Banfield, solo guitar

THAIKU: Tad Britton Trio

GALLERY 1412: Emperor Norton’s Cabal; McDowell – Norman

ASTEROID CAFE: Tim Kennedy Trio Jam Session

UW CONCERT: Mallet Head Series: Tom Coller, Marc Seales, Dan Dean
Brechemin Auditorium, UW Campus, 7:30

Review: Cuong Vu Trio with Bill Frisell, Meany Theater

February 7, 2008 / / No Comments

By Bill Barton

REVIEW: CUONG VU TRIO WITH BILL FRISELL
MEANY THEATER, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
FEBRUARY 6, 2008

I just returned from hearing the Cuong Vu Trio with special guest Bill Frisell at the University of Washington’s Meany Theater. This was a great show, one long set. Frisell did some of the best playing I’ve ever heard from him live. Strangely enough I’ve always enjoyed him more playing with other people’s groups than with his own. As I sort of expected he was delving into the louder, rockier side of his playing personality for the most part.

Vu’s trumpet and electronics never fail to create some varied soundscapes, ranging from the atmospheric and ambiant to the downright raucous. He is a real master at using looping in live performance. At one point he built up a beautifully meshed series of interlocking loops (I counted either 13 or 14 layers) that practically lifted me out of my seat: one hell of a big band for a quartet! His pure acoustic sound is gorgeous too and he can play in the high register with amazing control at very, very low decibel levels as well as anyone I’ve heard.

Then there’s the maniacal Stomu Takeishi on electric bass… The guy’s a wild man. Vu, Takeishi and Frisell had lots of the latest and greatest digital toys to play with, twisting dials, pushing pedals, adjusting this, tweaking that, but for me the highlight of Takeishi’s playing came when he was using what looked like a plain old tin can as a slide on his bass and standing in front of his amplifier’s speaker to obtain controlled feedback. Awesome set!

Be sure to hear “Accelerated Thoughts” from the new artistShare CD Vu-Tet; they played a fine version of this twisting, turning, hyper-fast almost-bebop tune tonight. The Vu-Tet disc is exceptional. Check it out.

Jessica Williams at The Triple Door

February 6, 2008 / / No Comments

JESSICA WILLIAMS: REDEFINED
w/Special Guest Aiko Shimada

THURSDAY, FEB 7th, 7:30pm
THE TRIPLE DOOR
216 Union Street
Seattle, WA
Tickets and Info: 206-838-4333

This evening, tradition meets innovation, as the great pianist, Jessica Williams embraces 21st Century America with new music, controversial ideas, and a powerful message for our times.

Playing piano since she was four, she grew up to be a world-famous, critically acclaimed pianist. Now, she forges a new vision and a new direction for her far-reaching creative gifts. Part concert, part talk-show, and part journey of self-discovery for her AND her audiences.

Jessica Williams:REDEFINED is more than a show: it’s a musical miracle, a life-changing experience, a constantly-evolving glimpse into the mind and life of one of today’s most important musical innovators and radical thinkers. Jessica Williams, piano, technologies, opinions, and inspiration.

Jessica describes her latest musical evolution as “changing my whole business model, working with synthesizers, using classical song forms.”

See the reinvented piano virtuoso Jessica Williams, up close and personal!

Wednesday Jazz

February 6, 2008 / / No Comments

Lots of stuff happening tonight:

MEANY THEATER: Cuong Vu Trio with special guest Bill Frisell
University of Washington Campus, 7:30pm

GALLERY 1412: More Zero featuring Chris Stover

JAZZ ALLEY: Chris Botti
All shows are full except Wednesday and Thursday 9:30pm shows. Please call for assistance 206-441-9729.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Rochelle House Quartet

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio

NEW ORLEANS: The Legend Band featuring Clarence Acox

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
6pm – BMG Trio, with Brendan O’Donnell (guitar), Mack Grout (piano), and Greg Larson (trombone)
8pm – Vocal Jam with Carrie Wicks

TUTTA BELLA: Michael Gotz

SERAFINA: Passarim, bossa nova

WHISKEY BAR: Eric Verlinde & Friends

VICTORY LOUNGE: Joe Doria Trio

Saxophonist Andrew D’Angelo In The Hospital Awaiting Sugery

February 5, 2008 / / No Comments

On Friday, January 25, saxophonist and Seattle-native Andrew D’Angelo suffered a major seizure while driving in Brooklyn, NY. Tests in the hospital revealed a large tumor in his brain. Andrew will undergo brain surgery at some point in the next few weeks. At this time, it is believed that the tumor is not cancerous, but this will not be confirmed until a biopsy is performed.

Like many musicians, Andrew has no health insurance and needs help to cover the massive medical expenses. You can help out by contributing online through his website.

Andrew has also posted a blog so people can follow his progress.

Tuesday Jazz

February 5, 2008 / / No Comments

It’s Super Tuesday … some say that has to do with politics but I say it has to do with all the music happening tonight!

JAZZ ALLEY: Chris Botti
All shows are full except Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9:30pm shows. Please call for assistance 206-441-9729.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jay Thomas Big Band

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Darrius Willrich

NEW ORLEANS: Jet City Fliers

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Hot Java Cool Jazz Combo Showcase!
6:30pm – Eckstein Middle School
7:30pm – Edmonds Woodway HS

SERAFINA: Josh Hickman

GALLERY 1412: Flim Night – first edition

Fired Up, Ready To Go!

February 5, 2008 / / No Comments

This is a music blog, not a political blog, but occasionally the two worlds come together. In late January a group of Seattle musicians including trumpter/vocalist Jake Bergevin, Matt Cameron, Arturo Rodriguez and the Total Experience Gospel Choir got together at the Columbia City Theater to record a song writen by Bergevin’s two brothers, Jon and Joe, inspired by Barack Obama’s “One voice can change the world” speech.

The video has been speading across the internet and has over 45,000 views on YouTube. They even got a snarky diss from Fox News so you know they are doing something right.

Seattle Times: Bellevue festival loaded with jazz stars of tomorrow

February 5, 2008 / / No Comments

By Paul de Barros
Seattle Times jazz critic

Inclement weather, a flu bug and a Seattle band director’s “tough love” made the competition at this year’s Bellevue Community College Jazz Band Festival a bit unusual.

But the exciting music at BCC’s Carlson Theatre made it obvious, yet again, that the Northwest is a breeding ground for top jazz talent, with the emphasis decidedly on “young.”

{continue reading at The Seattle Times.com}

Monday Jazz

February 4, 2008 / / No Comments

Here is a list of what’s happening tonight in Seattle …

JAZZ ALLEY: Jake Shimabukuro

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Vocal Jam with Greta Matassa

THE NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Quintet

SERAFINA: The Piper Olson Duo

LA SPIGA: Ray Baldwin & Sam Chambliss

SEATTLE DRUM SCHOOL: Jim Knapp Orchestra
12510 15th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA, 8:00pm

Sunday Jazz

February 3, 2008 / / No Comments

JAZZ ALLEY: Kenny Rankin with Kendra Shank
This is your last night to catch former Seattle resident Kendra Shank opening for Kenny Rankin at Jazz Alley. It is Sunday so it is an early 7:30pm showtime.

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Sunday Night Salsa: Mango Son

TUTTA BELLA: Casey MacGill and Blue 4

SERAFINA: Jazz Brunch with the Conlin Roser Duo (11am – 1:30pm); Jerry Frank, solo jazz piano (6:30 – 9:00pm)

LA SPIGA: Marco de Carvalho

GRAZIE: Reuel Lubag Jam Session (6:00 – 9:00pm)

JAZZ VESPERS: The Overton Berry Trio w/ Mercedes Nicole, First Baptist Church (First Hill), 6:00pm
From Earshot Jazz: The Jazz Vespers series continues with an appearance by the Overton Berry Trio with Mercedes Nicole on vocals. Pianist Berry has been a fixture on the Seattle jazz scene since the 1950s and can easily be called a living legend. He has performed around the world, including throughout Asia, and has served as Music Director of many notable concert series. Singing straight-ahead jazz with an urban flare, vocalist Nicole has gained a reputation as an artistically playful and unpredictable performer, with a warm, rich, and resonant contralto voice. She is also a member of the dynamic vocal trio Cocoa Martini. They perform a 100-minute secular concert, with an inspirational interlude. Now in its sixth year, the Jazz Vespers take place on the first Sunday of each month (October through June) at the Seattle First Baptist Church on First Hill at the intersection of Union, Seneca and Harvard Streets. The concert begins at 6pm and is free. A collection is taken to permit the church to pay the musicians. Light refreshments are served in the church’s Fellowship Hall afterwards. Visit www.seattlefirstbaptist.org for more information.

CD Review: Crazy: The Music of Willie Nelson

February 2, 2008 / / No Comments

By John Barron, All About Jazz.com

Crazy: The Music of Willie Nelson goes above and beyond the confines of mere adulation for an American music icon. Seattle-based trumpeter Thomas Marriott creates a conceptual sonic flow, harnessing energy from the melodic and rhythmic legacy of some of Nelson’s well known and not-so-well-known gems. For the bulk of the session Marriott is supported by a stellar crew of like-minded risk takers, including saxophonist Mark Taylor, keyboardist Ryan Burns, bassist Geoff Harper and drummer Matt Jorgensen.

The disc traverses a musical landscape full of twists and turns, moving ever-so-smoothly from techno- based grooves (“Phases & Stages, Circles & Cycles”), to 1970s-era fusion explorations (“Write Your Own Songs,” “You Wouldn’t Cross the Street”), to straight-ahead blowing (“I’m Building Heartaches”). Tracks like “Everywhere I Go” and “Crazy” are comparatively clear-cut, adhering to the accessible nature of Nelson’s gorgeous melodies.

An emphasis on melody seems to be Marriott’s top priority throughout the disc’s eleven tracks. The trumpeter’s warm-tone and exuberance breathes life into simple, yet sumptuous themes such as “The Great Divide” and “On the Road Again.” An exciting soloist, Marriott’s improvised dueling with Taylor’s soprano saxophone on “I’m Building Heartaches” stands out as a disc highlight.

Jorgensen and Harper keep things grounded while maintaining a loose, open-ended rapport with each groove. Burns snakes his way through the disc with inventive soloing and distorted synth clusters. His out-of- left-field accompaniment on the second half of “Crazy” is worth the price of admission. Guest keyboardist Wayne Horwitz creates an electronic frenzy on the Weather Report-influenced “Write Your Own Songs”—the groove is practically a carbon copy of Joe Zawinul’s “Black Market.”

The music from this session may be hard to categorize, but the same can be said of Nelson. The eclectic nature of the iconic singer/songwriter’s catalogue lends itself surprisingly well to Marriott’s liberal approach.

Click here to buy this CD

Saturday Jazz

February 2, 2008 / / No Comments

BAKE’S PLACE: Jovino Santos Neto Quarteto

JAZZ ALLEY: Kenny Rankin (Kendra Shank opens)

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Bill Anschell Quartet

THE HENDRIX LOUNGE: Rick Mandyck, Doug Miller, John Bishop

THIRD PLACE COMMONS: Thomas Marriott’s Willie Nelson Project
17171 Bothell Way NE., Lake Forest Park, WA, 7:00 – 9:45pm, Free

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Flora McGill with Josh & Evan

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Dorothy Rodes and Darin Clendenin
9pm – RaChiChi Pop Jazz Trio

TUTTA BELLA: Djangomatics

SERAFINA: Sue Nixon Trio

LA SPIGA: Gail Pettis

ST CLOUDS: Jose Gonzales Trio
1131 34th Avenue, Seattle, (206) 726-1522

Seattle Times Cuong Vu Preview

February 2, 2008 / / No Comments

From Friday’s Seattle Times: A couple of years ago, the sensational Bellevue-bred trumpeter and composer Cuong Vu played an unlikely double bill with the Edmonds-Woodway High School Jazz Band.

As emcee, and figuring the crowd was probably more comfortable with Count Basie than Vu’s grunge/jazz, I advised them to just “follow the sound, and the shapes it makes in space and time,” and everything would make sense.

You know what? The audience loved that show.

…

Vu’s trio — with special guest Bill Frisell (guitar) — performs at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Meany Theater at the UW ($10-$15; 206-543-4880 or www.meany.org). The trio also plays at 7 and 9 p.m. the following night at Egan’s in Ballard ($12; 206-789-1621 or www.ballardjamhouse.com).