Jim Wilke’s Best of 2008 Northwest CDs

For Northwest jazz fans in particular, here are some of the exceptional releases from artists living in Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver.

Thomas MarriottCrazy, Music of Willie Nelson – Origin
Hadley CalimanGratitude – Origin
Dawn ClementBreak – Origin
Matt Jorgensen + 451Another Morning – Origin
Bridge QuartetDay – Origin
Bill Coon/ Ron PetersNo Boundaries – Modern Hot
Cory Weeds QuartetBig Weeds – Cellar Live
Kelley JohnsonHome – Sapphire

New Year’s Eve Jazz

Here is what’s on tap for tonight. If you have something to add, post it in the Comments or email us at [email protected]

From Earshot Jazz Magazine:

Poncho Sanchez at Jazz Alley
As we say farewell to 2008 and welcome 2009, there is no better way to celebrate than with an evening of jazz. This year, area venues offer an impressive selection of the region’s favorite musicians as well as several imports. Here is a sampling: The popular Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band will ring in the New Year at Jazz Alley. With Sanchez on congas, the band pays homage to 60 years of Latin jazz. In addition to the expected Afro-Cuban rhythms, Sanchez and his band mates infuse jazz standards with R&B and funk. Sanchez will be joined by George Ortiz on timbales, Tony Banda on bass, Ron Blake on trumpet, Javier Vergara on alto and tenor saxophone, Francisco Torres on trombone, Joseph De Leon on bongo and percussion, and David Torres on piano. The evening begins with a dinner show from 8:45 until 10 pm (doors open at 6 pm), for $100.50 per person, which includes a four-course dinner, admission to the first show, tax, and gratuity. Or, if you prefer, a first-set, cocktails-only package is $47.50. The “Ring in the New Year” package is $75.50 per person and includes admission to the second show, choice of desert, coffee or tea, party favors, and tax and tip. Music starts at 11 pm, with doors opening at 10:30 pm. For an entire night of jazz, both packages can be had for $150.50. Poncho Sanchez and his band also appear on December 29 & 30, with set times at 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm; admission $27.50. To make reservations call (206) 441-9729 or visit www.jazzalley.com.

Thomas Marriott & Hadley Caliman at Tula’s
Trumpeter Thomas Marriott and saxophonist Hadley Caliman help ring in the New Year at Tula’s. This dynamic duo has been burning up the road since the release of Caliman’s album, Gratitude, last February. Together they have played venues and festivals throughout North America with performances in more than a dozen cities. Tonight they will be backed Matt Jorgensen on drums, Randy Halberstadt on piano, and Phil Sparks on bass. Music begins at 8:00 pm and lasts well into 2009. The cover charge is $25. Call (206) 443-4221 to reserve.

Ring in the New Year at Egans
Egan’s Ballard Jam House ushers in the New Year with three acts designed to please. Beginning at 7:00 pm, alumni from the Roosevelt High School jazz program perform in a College Homecoming Show, followed by the irreverent comedy of Menagerie of Extravagance at 9:00 pm, and concluding with the distinct stylings of Jim Knodle and Friends at 11:00 pm. The cover charge is $10 for each show. Visit www.ballardjamhouse.com or call 206-789-1621 for more information

Little Bill & Blue Notes at Bakes
If you’re in the mood for blues, go to Bake’s Place to hear Little Bill and the Blue Notes. Vocalist and bassist “Little Bill” Englehart has been a fixture of the Northwest music scene since the 1950s, and the Blue Notes were one of the first rhythm and blues bands in the area. The festivities begin at 8:00 pm and continue until midnight. The package, for $95, includes a dinner hors d’oeuvres and dessert buffet, music, party favors, champagne toast, and a balloon release at midnight. Call (425) 391-3335 or e-mail [email protected] for reservations.

Curtis Salgado at the Triple Door
Blues are also on tap at the Triple Door. Vocalist and harmonica player extraordinaire Curtis Salgado kicks off the New Year with his engaging mix of blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll. The original inspiration for the Blues Brothers, Salgado has been a part of the Northwest scene since 1972 and has worked with the likes of Muddy Waters, Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland, Albert Collins, Bonnie Raitt, and Carlos Santana. The evening begins with a dinner show at 7:00 pm for $100, which includes concert admission, a 3-course dinner, glass of champagne, sales tax, and gratuity. Next up, the dessert show begins at 10:00 pm. Cost of admission is $70 and includes concert admission, an appetizer, dessert, glass of champagne, sales tax, and gratuity. For more information and reservations call (206) 838-4333 or visit www.tripledoor.com. The Musicquarium Lounge features: Kiko Freitas & How Now Brown Now

Lonnie Williams Band at the New Orleans
Finally, for a helping of rhythm ‘n’ blues, turn to the Lonnie Williams Band at the New Orleans Restaurant. A long-time fan favorite, Williams is known for his soulful and exciting performances. Music starts at 9 pm; cover charge $15. Call (206) 622-2563 for more information.

And other events happening tonight …

Cafe Harlequin: Finn Hill Jazz Quartet w/ Kay Bailey
107 Lake Street, Kirkland, 9:00pm

Thaiku: Ron Weinstein Trio

The Pink Door: Casey MacGill’s Blue 4 Trio

Serafina: Leo Raymundo Quartet and Sue Nixon

Tuesday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Carmen Staaf CD Release Party for “Reflection”

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Mike Gullo Group, with Mike Gullo (vocals), Scotty Bemis (piano), Colleen Gilligan (bass) and Brian “Blade” Greggs (drums)
9pm – Daniel Kamas

DEXTER AND HAYES: Tim Kennedy Trio

SPOTTED COW CREAM AND BEAN: Bellevue Standards Trio
5118 Main St # 700, Mill Creek, 7:00pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Karin Kajita

MIX: Don Mock, Steve Kim & Charlie Nordstrom

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Dylan Heaney, Keith Judelman & Phil Parisot

Freddie Hubbard (1938 – 2008)

from Downbeat:

Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, who from the mid ’60s to the late ’80s was arguably the most powerful and prolific trumpeter in jazz, died Monday morning. He had been admitted to the hospital in early December with what was believed to be a heart attack. He was 70.

Blessed with a sound that combined Clifford Brown’s technique, Lee Morgan’s bravura and Miles Davis’ sensitivity, Hubbard was prominent for much of his career both a leader and a sideman. Born in Indianapolis on April 7, 1938, Hubbard’s earliest professional gigs were with guitarist Wes Montgomery and his brothers before he moved to New York in 1958, working with Eric Dolphy, Sonny Rollins, Quincy Jones and many others. He recorded with John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman and on Oliver Nelson’s Blues And The Abstract Truth album.

In 1961, he joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers for three years and recorded as a leader for Blue Note. His albums for the label include Breaking Point, Goin’ Up and Hub-Tones, and he appeared as a sideman on a number of important Blue Note dates, including Herbie Hancock’s Maiden Voyage and Empyrean Isles. After stints with Atlantic and Impulse! records, Hubbard worked with producer Creed Taylor in 1970 and recorded a number of accessible and noteworthy jazz-fusion classics including Red Clay, Straight Life, Sky Dive and First Light. In the mid ’70s, Hubbard signed with Columbia and recorded and toured with VSOP: a Miles Davis reunion combo featuring Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Wayne Shorter and Tony Williams.

Monday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band

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

NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Quintet

LA SPIGA: Monarch Duo

TOST: Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder

Today on Jazz Northwest

This week on Jazz Northwest will feature selections from the Sacred Music of Duke Ellington with James Cadell, Dee Daniels and the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, and a selection of some favorite CDs from 2008 by jazz artists from BC, Washington and Oregon.

This year-end special on Jazz Northwest airs Sunday, December 28 at 1 pm PST on 88-5, KPLU and is streamed to the internet at www.kplu.org . The program is produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for KPLU, and is also available as a podcast after the airdate.

Sunday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: David Benoit

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

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
3pm- Fairly Honest Jazz Band
8pm- Sarah Slonim Quartet

SERAFINA:
11am-1:30pm Jazz Brunch: Conlin Roser / Cynthia Mullis Duo
6:30-9pm: The Piper Olsen Duo

LA SPIGA: Fred Hoadley Duo

TRACTOR TAVERN: VARMINT
feat. Robin Holcomb, Tim Young, Wayne Horvitz, Jon Hyde, Andy Roth, Keith Lowe, Arni Adler, Nova Devonie & special guests

Drop us a line and let us know what else is happening tonight!

Saturday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Kelley Johnson Quartet

JAZZ ALLEY: David Benoit Trio

HOLIDAY CONCERT:
Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra: Sacred Music by Duke Ellington
First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, 1717 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue; 7:30pm
206-547-6763, 800-838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com.

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Tor Dietrichson & Blues Machine

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Chad McCullough Group, with Chad McCullough (trumpet), Nathan Eklund (trumpet), Matt Jorgensen (drums), Paul Gabrielson (bass), Dan Kramlich (piano)
9pm – Finn Hill Jazz with Kay Bailey
11pm – Jim Knodle and the Distract Band, with Mike Dodge, Mike Owcharuk, Don Berman, and Nate Omdal, and very special guests

PAMPAS ROOM: Brian Nova Quartet

BAKE’S PLACE: Jovino Santos Neto Quarteto

SERAFINA: Voodoo Trio

GRAZIE: James Burnhard Blues Fusion

SORRENTO HOTEL: Katy Bourne Trio

Seattle Times: Holiday jazz continues…

From The Seattle Times

Christmas may be over, but holiday jazz is going strong.

A particular treat for Seattle jazz fans is “Sacred Music by Duke Ellington,” the annual presentation of the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra. Michael Brockman, SRJO co-director, saxophonist and Ellington scholar, says, “We look forward to the performance every year; we don’t get tired of it. Because it’s so universally inclusive of all faiths, it makes you think about your own faith which is ultimately the point of this time of year.” Read the complete earlier interview with Brockman online at www.seattletimes.com/musicnightlife.

Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra performs “Sacred Music by Duke Ellington” at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, 1717 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue; $24-$28 (206-547-6763, 800-838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com).

Also on the jazz calendar is the David Benoit Trio, which will reopen tonight Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley (closed for the past few days due to weather). The trio plays “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle; $24.50 (206-441-9729 or www.jazzalley.com).

Friday Jazz

Are we done with the snow yet? Most venues should back to normal, but it is always wise to call ahead just to be sure.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jay Thomas Quartet

JAZZ ALLEY: David Benoit Trio

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM:
5:00pm: James Baumgart / Jason Parker Duo
9:00pm: Pocket Change

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Ben Roseth Group, with Ben Roseth (saxophone), Sean Hutchinson (drums), Drew Pierson (piano) and David Dawda (bass)
9pm – SisterMonk, with Jody Rubel, Kathy Deane and Fedis Grey – “From tangy funk to deep bottomed Latin grooves, from Middle-eastern trance to rock and soul, SisterMonk remains one of the hottest emerging Rock-fusion acts today.”
11pm – TBA

PAMPAS ROOM: Brian Nova Quartet

LATONA PUB: Hadley Caliman, Phil Sparks and Matt Jorgensen (5 – 7pm)

SERAFINA: Fred Hoadley Trio

GRAZIE: Micheal Matthews

HIROSHI’S JAZZ AND SUSHI: Mordy Ferber and New Friends
Mordy Ferber – guitar; Chris Symer – bass; Greg Williamson – drums
Mordy Ferber plays with the likes of Michael Brecker, Jack DeJohnette, Eddie Gomez, Peter Erskine, Bob Mintzer, Dave Liebman, etc… He is a professor at NYU and The New School. He is a heavy, heavy, heavy player – and a nice guy stopping by to make new friends. More bio info below.
2501 Eastlake Avenue East, Seattle, WA
reservations recommended
ph: (206)726-4966

Earshot Golden Ear Award Nominees Announced

Each year the Golden Ear Awards program provides an opportunity for Seattle jazz fans and performers to celebrate the region’s jazz accomplishments of the previous year. Earshot Jazz initiated the Golden Ear Awards in 1990 to recognize the accomplishments of Seattle jazz artists over the previous year, and to induct significant members of the jazz community into the local Jazz Hall of Fame.

Nominees have been announced for the 2008 awards. To cast your vote, visit the Earshot website at:
http://earshot.org/Events/golden.html?&event_id=399

2008 NW Recording of the Year:
Hadley Caliman – Gratitude
Byron Vannoy – Meridian
Thomas Marriott – Crazy: Music of Willie Nelson
Matt Jorgensen +451 – Another Morning
Jeff Johnson – Tall Stranger

2008 NW Acoustic Jazz Ensemble:
Hadley Caliman Quartet/Quintet
Jim Knapp Orchestra
Ziggurat
Hans Teuber/Geoffrey Harper/Byron Vannoy

2008 NW “Outside” Jazz Group:
Jeff Johnson Trio
More Zero
Thomas Marriott’s Willie Nelson Project
Speak

2008 NW Jazz Instrumentalist:
Mark Taylor
Hadley Caliman
Hans Teuber
Thomas Marriott
Jeff Johnson

Emerging Artist of 2008:
Neil Welch
Byron Vannoy
The Teaching
Evan Flory-Barnes

NW Vocalist of the Year:
Kelly Harland
Kelley Johnson
Greta Matassa
Gail Pettis

2008 NW Concert of the Year:
Hadley Caliman at Ballard Jazz Festival
Hadley Caliman CD release party at Tula’s
Lee Konitz at Ballard Jazz Festival
Wayne Horvitz Retrospective at Earshot Festival

Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame Nominees:
Jack Perciful
KBCS 91.3
Phil Sparks
Bob Nixon

Sunday Jazz

If you venture out, be sure to call ahead to confirm that the venue is open. Stay safe and warm!

JAZZ ALLEY: Smokey Joe Cafe

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM:
Sunday Night Salsa: Rumbeggae

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

SERAFINA:
11am-1:30pm Jazz Brunch: Conlin Roser / Cynthia Mullis Duo
6:30-9pm: Ann Reynolds / Tobi Stone Duo

LA SPIGA: Fred Hoadley Duo

Drop us a line and let us know what else is happening tonight!

Saturday Jazz

It’s a challenging night to be a jazz musician or jazz fan. But then, hey, why do you think they invented snow mobiles?

If you do venture out, be sure to call ahead to confirm that the venue is open. Stay safe and warm!

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Bill Anschell Quartet

JAZZ ALLEY: Smokey Joe Cafe

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Tom Baker Quartet, w/ Tom Baker (guitar/fretless guitar), Greg Campbell (drums/horn), Jesse Canterbury (clarinet/bass clarinet) and Brian Cobb (bass)
9pm – Victor Noriega farewell gig, w/ Mark Taylor (alto sax), Thomas Marriott (trumpet), Phil Sparks (bass) and Eric Eagle (drums)
11pm – Gryphon

SERAFINA: Jazzuhka

GRAZIE: Michael Powers Group

BAKE’S PLACE: Greta Matassa Quartet w/ Susan Pascal

HOLIDAY CONCERT: Michael Owcharuk’s Slavak Jazz Christmas
w/ Michael Owcharuk (piano), Beth Fleenor (clarinets), Jim Knodle and Jason Parker (trumpet), Cara Sawyer (French horn, Nate Omdal (bass), Cody Rahn (drums)
Chapel Performance Space, Good Shepherd Center (4649 Sunnyside Ave N.) 7pm

Seattle Times: It’ll be a cool Christmas with singer Holly Cole at Jazz Alley

from The Seattle Times:

Some singers attack a song with a chain saw. Holly Cole prefers a scalpel.

The cool-toned jazz chanteuse possesses a razor sharp gift for revealing unexpected emotional subtexts in familiar songs. She’s an expert at cutting through hints of bad faith and self-deception, so that a long-flickering torch song like “You’re My Thrill” suddenly flares up, taking on a menacing air of voyeuristic obsession.

“A lot of people confuse irony with sarcasm, and there’s a huge difference,” says Cole, 45, who opens a two-night run of her “A Night Before Christmas” show at Jazz Alley on Monday. “Sarcasm is the cheapest form of humor and not that interesting. Irony doesn’t necessarily have to say one thing and mean another. It can just be pointing out potential conflicts of interest.”

When it comes to the holidays however, Cole mostly gives her ironic reflex a rest. Growing up in a passionately musical family in New Brunswick, one of Canada’s Maritime Provinces, she fondly remembers family song sessions reaching a fevered pitch during Christmas.

Continue reading at The Seattle Times.

Friday Jazz

Make sure and call ahead to confirm that the venue is open.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Greta Matassa Quintet with Susan Pascal

JAZZ ALLEY: Smokey Joe’s Cafe

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Jon Sheckler Group, with Jon Sheckler (drums), Nathan Parker (bass), Erika Price (piano), Eli Meisner (guitar) and special guest Mark Taylor
9pm – Blues To Do All Star Holiday Jam!
11pm – “Hans Teuber says yes” CD release! With Geoff Harper (bass), Hans Teuber (piano/saxophones) and Byron Vannoy (drums)

BAKE’S PLACE: Bake’s Place Wine Tasting and Gourmet Food Pairing ~ Special Holiday Show

GRAZIE: Michael Powers Group

HIROSHI’S JAZZ AND SUSHI: Jon Hamar & Bill Anschell New Music Summit

PAMPAS ROOM: Brian Nova Quartet

LOCAL COLOR: Rochelle House

The Stranger: Heavy and Deep

From The Stranger

When Stuart Dempster showed me Then & Now, Now & Then (Taiga), a double LP commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Deep Listening Band (aka DLB), I almost dropped the damn thing. I’m embarrassed to admit I had forgotten that well-made vinyl LPs are heavy.

“Deep Listening” sounds heavy, too, until you realize that the weight of the music made by DLB—the trio of Dempster, Pauline Oliveros, David Gamper, and assorted collaborators—resides not in claiming profundity, but in the act of making natural resonance and reverberation integral to their performances. By turns playful, austere, simple, hypnotic (in the old-school minimalist sense), funny, and complex, the “deep listening” happens among the musicians and inside the surrounding acoustic space.

Continue reading at The Stranger

Thursday = Snow

Jazz Alley is closed tonight. Just called down to Tula’s and they are going to be closed tonight.

If you venture out tonight make sure and call ahead.