EMP’s annual Jazz in January series runs this weekend, January 9-10, with a scaled-back lineup compared to previous years.
It seems no Northwest jazz series would be complete without an appearance by the Roosevelt and Garfield High School Big Bands and they are again featured here with Cuong Vu and Thomas Marriott making a guest appearance with each band respectively. The concert is Friday, January 9 at 7:00pm in the Sky Church.
Saturday’s program starts with Jim Wilke interviewing drum legend Han Bennink at the JBL Theater starting at 3:00pm. The incredibly creative Bennink should be an entertaining interviewee who’ll keep Wilke on his toes.
Jazz in January concludes Saturday night with a double-bill featuring Cuong Vu’s trio featuring Stomu Takeishi on bass and Ted Poor on drums. The trio is supporting their critically acclaimed new CD “Vu-tet” and if you didn’t see them at the 2007 Earshot Jazz Festival or at Meany Hall in 2008, make sure and catch this show. Cellist, bassist, composer and visual artist Paul Rucker opens (click here to view photo of Paul Rucker performing at the 2008 Earshot Jazz Festival). Saturday, January 10 at 7:00pm in the Sky Church.