Seattle Times: Drummer Winard Harper plays Jazz Alley in Seattle Aug. 4-5

from The Seattle Times:

As a young lion in the mid-1980s, drummer Winard Harper came of age in the midst of a jazz boom. Resurgent legends mentored budding players, providing them with invaluable experience and exposure. Record labels sought out young artists, and clubs rushed to book their bands.

Harper first gained attention as a supple timekeeper in 1982 with tenor sax titans Dexter Gordon and Johnny Griffin. But it was his four-year run with vocalist Betty Carter that catapulted the Baltimore native into prominence. He made his Seattle debut with Carter, a savvy talent scout who ran her band like a boot camp for improvisers, and he’s returned many times as the leader of his own combo.

He arrives in town on Tuesday for a two-night run at Jazz Alley looking at a jazz landscape transformed by technology and recession. After more than a decade leading a sextet constantly refreshed by a stream of top young talent, Harper is talking about downsizing. With sadness in his voice, he indicated that his longest-serving band member, Senegalese percussionist Alioune Faye, may not make the West Coast trip.

Continue reading at The Seattle Times.

Friday Jazz

Byron Vannoy’s Meridian performs today at the South Lake Union Summer Concert Series
(2200 Westlake Ave, upper plaza), 11:45am

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Bill Anschell Trio with Doug Miller and Byron Vannoy

JAZZ ALLEY: Monty Alexander Trio

SERAFINA: Kelly Ash Trio

LATONA PUB: Phil Sparks Trio

EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Trish Hatley Trio

HIROSHI’S: Jay Thomas & Gene Argel Quartet

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Fred Hoadley Trio

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Molly Venter
9pm – The Starlings with special guest Sarah Burgess
11pm – FLEX 4 with Dan Blunck (woodwinds), David Haney (piano), Dan O’Brien (bass) and Ken Paine (drums) – Stretching the limits of composed and improvised music

Gene Argel returns to Seattle

Pony Boy Records Presents
JAZZ and SUSHI
Friday, July 31 – Jay Thomas & Gene Argel Quartet

Jay Thomas – sax & trumpet
Gene Argel – Hammond B-3
Chuck Kistler – bass
Greg Williamson – drums

Hiroshi’s Restaurant
2501 Eastlake Avenue East, Seattle, WA
ph: (206)726-4966
no cover
7:30 – 10:00

Jazz & Sushi web page with photos, schedules, map and more:

Gene Argel is a native of the Pacific Northwest, and was a much loved fixture and “monster player” on the Seattle Jazz scene until his move to Hawaii in 1980. He dazzles his audiences with his jazz, blues, and Latin rhythms. Jay Thomas, Seattle’s ever-present mutil-instrumentalist post-bopper, especially remembers his funky earthy B3 inflections. Gene has played with a number of talented artists such as Gabe Balthazar, Joe Henderson, Henry Allen, Emil Richards, Branford Marsalis, Michael Brecker, Bill Evans and George Benson. Add to the mix some new friends with “funky drummer” Greg Williamson and the bassal support of re-bopper Chuck Kistler. Might there be a recording in process?

Sushi master Hiroshi and his gang prepare a full menu of Japanese cuisine that is fresh, tasty, and full of flavor – all matched with some very special sake and beverages (try the plumb wine) Favored by local Japanese and music lovers, Hiroshi’s has been featuring live jazz on Friday nights for over three years – presented by the Pony Boy Records stable of artists. Come by for some fine food, and see who will be sitting in with the band – Fridays have become a ‘happening’ on Eastlake!

Thursday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Gus Carns Trio (Last gig before moving to Boston); Andy Clausen Group

1st Set – Gus Carns Trio
Gus Carns- Piano
Mark Hunter – Bass
Evan Woodle – Drums

2nd Set – Andy Clausen Group
Andy Clausen – Trombone
Corey Dansereau – Trumpet
Xavier Del Castillo – Tenor Sax
Gus Carns – Piano
Nolan Woodle – Bass
Evan Woodle – Drums

JAZZ ALLEY: Monty Alexander Trio

NEW ORLEANS: Ham Carson Quintet

LO-FI: Gravity w/ Tim Kennedy, Ian Sheridan, & Claudio Rochat Felix

LUCID JAZZ LOUNGE: “The Hang” Jam w/ Josh Rawlings, Evan Flory-Barnes, Jeremy Jones

THAIKU: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson, & Tad Britton

Wednesday Jazz

IT’S HOT … COOL OFF THIS EVENING!
Dina Blade Trio at The Rainier Beach Pool (8825 Rainier S), 5:30

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Greta Matassa Vocal Showcase

JAZZ ALLEY: Spencer Day

NEW ORLEANS: Legacy Quartet w/Clarence Acox

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Romney Getty Duo with Romney Getty and Craig Smith
9pm – Vocal Jam hosted by Leah Stillwell, with the Dan Sales Trio

LUCID JAZZ LOUNGE: Le Trio

CONOR BYRNE PUB: Underground Swing

from Donn Bennett Drum Shop

DRUMMERS!!!!!

There is a lot going on at Donn Bennett Drum Studio in Bellevue in the next week. Original CHICAGO drummer Danny Seraphine, jazz great Winard Harper and swingster Donny Osborne will all be here. Space is limited for these events, some are already sold out. If you want to check these out it’s best SIGN UP NOW!!

Private lessons and master classes must be paid in advance. $2.00 service fee for phone transactions. For the Danny Seraphine Clinic payment can be made at the door, though advance reservations are recommended!

Reply or call Kris at 425-747-6145 for info and to reserve a spot. All details are below.
Thanx,
Donn Bennett

DANNY SERAPHINE just added 3 private lesson spots on Thursday 7/30 at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00. All Friday lessons are sold out.
There is still space available for his Thursday Clinic at 7:00 PM but it will definitely sell out. We are limited to 50 people. Arrive early if you want to guarantee a spot.

DONNY OSBORNE will be back for a day of private lessons on Saturday August 1st. Donny was the protégé of Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa. He was the drummer in Mel Torme’s band for 25 years. He is one of the worlds greatest resources in the field of swing drumming.

WINARD HARPER will teach a master class on Wednesday August 5th at 4:00PM. Winard is one of the hardest working drummers, composers, producers, and bandleaders in the jazz world today. Inspired by legends like Art Blakey, Max Roach and Billy Higgins, Winard has truly found his place amongst the greatest jazz drummers. For more about Winard CLICK HERE. Winard’s master class will be limited to 20 people.
Winard and his band will be at Jazz Alley 8/4+5. Mention Donn Bennett Drum Studio for 2 for 1 admission on 8/4.

DANNY SERAPHINE DRUM CLINIC
Thursday 7/30/08, 7:00-9:00PM (aprox) $10.00
Limited to 50 people, arrive early guarantee a spot.

DANNY SERAPHINE PRIVATE DRUM LESSONS
$100.00 per hour
Thursday, 7/30/09, 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 PM, Now Available

DONNY OSBORNE PRIVATE DRUM LESSONS
$60.00 per hour
Saturday 8/01/09, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

WINARD HARPER MASTER CLASS
Wednesday August 5th, 4:00-5:30 PM (aprox) $25.00
Limited to 20 people

Review: John Stowell, “Solitary Tales”

from All About Jazz:

An entire disc of solo, improvised guitar music could easily run the risk of sounding like one continuous tune. Fortunately, Portand, Oregon-based guitarist John Stowell applies enough depth and open-minded searching to his nylon-string guitar to keep things interesting throughout Solitary Tales. The eleven-track disc was recorded live at the home of master guitar luthier Mike Doolin, who builds guitars for Stowell. Relying heavily on single-note lines, the guitarist seems to pull arching motifs out of thin air, eschewing clichés while maintaining a swinging essence.

Stowell gives contemplative readings to Cole Porter’s “Everything I Love” and Bill Evans’ “Funny Man.” Steve Swallow’s “Outfits” contains some of the disc’s most inventive lines, with breathtaking leaps across the fret board. Ornette Coleman’s “Blues Connotation,” a disc highlight, jumps out as a bluesy surprise, as Stowell digs in with spirited phrasing.

The bulk of the recording is comprised of Stowell’s original compositions, including the rhythmic “Fun With Fruit,” the harmonically lush “Behind the Scenes” and the swingingly unpredictable closer, “Wybleing.” Thick and juicy chord clusters bring out a thumping, unhurried pace on the hypnotic “Friendly Giant.”

The up-close-and-personal setting and superb audio of Solitary Tales allow an extraordinary glimpse into Stowell’s uncompromising artistry.

Learn more about Solitary Tales at Origin Records.

Tuesday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: MusicWorks Big Band

JAZZ ALLEY: Spencer Day

DEXTER AND HAYES: Tim Kennedy Trio

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – JL Stiles
9pm – Byron Vannoy Trio with Byron Vannoy (drums), Jon Solo (piano) and Geoff Harper (bass)
from Earshot Jazz: Winner of the 2008 Earshot Golden Ear for 2008 Recording of the Year, percussionist extraordinaire Byron Vannoy here performs with a special trio featuring pianist Jon Solo & bassist Geoff Harper. Vannoy is a nuanced player, his strokes crisp and his ideas thoughtful. He has also proven himself a composer of considerable gifts, as those familiar with his Meridian ensemble well know. Don’t miss this opportunity to see a true-rising star of the Seattle creative arts scene, performing in an intimate group and performance space. The Byron Vannoy Trio will perform at Egan’s Ballard Jam House on July 28 at 9PM.

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Karin Kajita

MIX: Don Mock

Seattle Times: Oscar Peterson tribute highlights Jazz Port Townsend

from The Seattle Times:

PORT TOWNSEND — Young faces and new names dominated Jazz Port Townsend this year, emerging talent that pressed audiences against the future of jazz. But as the three-day festival neared its peak Saturday afternoon, the audience was asked to look to the past.

The festival’s artistic director John Clayton took the lead, recalling for those who packed McCurdy Pavilion in Fort Worden State Park, the first time, at age 16, that he ever listened to a recording of pianist Oscar Peterson. Like most, he was astounded and he never looked at jazz music the same way again. He remembered “every note,” Clayton said.

And with that, Clayton introduced to the stage the pianist Peterson named as his protégé, Benny Green, who had agreed, for the first time since Peterson’s death in 2007, to perform a set of Peterson’s music as a tribute to his former mentor.

Clayton himself was mentored by Peterson’s longtime bass player, Ray Brown, who also made Green part of his own trio in the early 1990s. Before Green sat down at the piano, Clayton made a phone call to Peterson’s widow, Kelly Peterson, from the stage so she could hear the audience applaud.

Green, 46, who performed with Seattle bassist Doug Miller and drummer Alvester Garnett, is one of few — if not the only pianist — who not only understands Peterson but can play like him. Capturing Peterson’s sound means taking command of the entire keyboard in a way few have done, doubling up his lines of improvisation with his right and left hand, filling songs with stout chords and bluesy turns, swallowing whale gulps of notes at a time but pronouncing each one meaningfully.

Continue reading at The Seattle Times.

Monday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Live recording featuring GARY SHUTES & DAN MARCUS

TOST: Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder

NEW ORLEANS: New Orleans Quintet

Sunday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY:  John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
3pm – Fairly Honest Jazz Band
8pm – Jim Cutler Orchestra

SERAFINA:
11am – Alex Guilbert  Duo

MARTINS OFF MADISON: Tim Kennedy

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Sunday Night Salsa: Rumbeggae

CONCERT: Pearl Django
KPLU Jazz Cruise, 10:30am. More info: www.kplu.org

Seattle Times Review: Jazz Port Townsend showcases a new generation of jazz

from The Seattle Times:

PORT TOWNSEND — During a workshop she helped teach on the art of vocal jazz, Gretchen Parlato confessed that many of her favorite singers were those who “don’t really sing.”

Several hours before she took the big stage at McCurdy Pavilion for her festival debut, she explained some of the singers she liked the most did not have the greatest technical ability, but rather a certain quality to their voice, a pleasing sound, an emotional gravity.

To a large degree, she could have been talking about herself. New to many audiences, Parlato performed Friday night at Jazz Port Townsend with the Gerald Clayton Trio, challenging notions of what defines a great jazz singer. Her voice has a breathless quality to it. She emphasizes phrasing and subtle changes in pitch rather than melodic acrobatics.

She sings much the way she talks. She possesses a soft but striking voice that sounds wistful and sleepy, the way someone sounds perhaps if they’ve recently been crying. As festival director John Clayton put it, she puts the microphone close to her lips and “whispers” the song into your ear.

Continue reading at The Seattle Times.

Saturday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Greta Matassa Quartet

JAZZ ALLEY: John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey

TRIPLE DOOR MAINSTAGE: Jacqui Naylor Trio

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Nick Allison Trio, Katie Walter w/Cary Black (bass), Chris Monroe (drums)
9pm – Moraine, w/Dennis Rea (guitar), Alicia Allen (violin), Stephen Cavit (drums), Ruth Davidson (cello), Kevin Millard (bass/baliset)
11pm – Jim Knodle and the Distract Band

GRAZIE: Michael Powers Group

BAKE’S PLACE: Pearl Django

GALLERY 1412: Jeffrey Allport, Tyler Wilcox, Gust Burns

EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Trish Hatley Trio

LOCAL COLOR: Sue Bell

SERAFINA: Voodoo Trio

CONCERT: Monktail Creative Concern’s Sounds Outside
1:00pm – Non Grata
2:30pm – Moraine
4:00pm – Washington Composers Orchestra
5:30pm – Tu
7:00pm – Sugar Skulls
Cal Anderson Park, 1635 11th Ave (btn E. Denny and E. Pine).
More info: www.soundsoutside.com

This Sunday: Bernie Jacobs Quartet on Jazz NW, 88.5 KPLU


Andre Thomas, Chuck Kistler, Bernie Jacobs, Eric Verlinde at The Seattle Art Museum

Bernie Jacobs is a versatile musician who plays flute, saxes and sings in a wide range of settings. We recorded the Bernie Jacobs Quartet in the July Art of Jazz concert at The Seattle Art Museum. Highlights from this concert including standards, jazz and blues will air on Jazz Northwest, Sunday July 26 at 1 pm on 88-5, KPLU and www.kplu.org.

The group includes Bernie Jacobs, Eric Verlinde, piano, Chuck Kistler, bass and and André Thomas on drums.

The Art of Jazz series at the Seattle Art Museum is produced by Earshot Jazz and the Museum and is presented free of charge on the second Thursday of each month. Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for KPLU. The program is also available as a podcast after the airdate.

Seattle Times: Singer splices tunes for hybrid jazz sound

From The Seattle Times:

Concert preview – Jacqui Naylor
8 p.m. Saturday, Triple Door, 216 Union St., Seattle; $20 (206-838-4333 or www.tripledoor.com).

Some jazz singers forge a distinctive identity by finding overlooked tunes, while others put an indelible stamp on familiar standards through the force of their personality. And then there are the rarefied few who weave a new repertoire out of whole cloth, outfitting their book with material transformed by a bracing new concept.

Jacqui Naylor, a self-possessed San Francisco vocalist with a pleasingly smoky sound, belongs to the latter category. She started her career as a jazz chanteuse captivated by the American Songbook, but in recent years she’s distinguished herself with a surprisingly effective strategy she calls “acoustic smashing.” Through an ingenious process of musical alchemy, she melds seemingly disparate songs, combining beloved pre-rock standards with contemporary songs from the rock era.

Continue reading at The Seattle Times.

Listen to Origin Records’ Northwest Jazz Show at 11:00am

Following up on our recent stories regarding the programming changes at KBCS a number of people have commented that they listen to a majority of their music online now. You might have noticed on the right side of Seattle Jazz Scene an ad for Origin Records Online Radio through Live365.com.

If you have never tried it out, simply click on the PLAY button and it will launch the radio player (you may have to listen to a few ads at the beginning).

From 11am – 1pm every day Origin Records has added the Northwest Jazz Show highlighting some of the artists on the label from their hometown.

Friday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Marc Seales Group with Gary Hobbs, Cuong Vu and Dave Captein

JAZZ ALLEY: John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Ala Carte with vocalists Julie Olson, Pat Johnston and Dee Brown. Backed by Reuel Lubag (piano), Matt Page (drums) and Burt Boice (bass)
9pm – Randall O’Dowd with Karin Kajita (piano), Mark Bullis (bass) and Robert Rushing (drums)

BAKE’S PLACE: Craig Baker and Friends

CHAPEL PERFORMANCE SPACE: Jeffrey Allport & Tyler Wilcox

EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Trish Hatley Trio

HIROSHI’S: Jazz & Sushi

LUCID JAZZ LOUNGE: Brendan O’Donnell Trio

LOCAL COLOR: Jeni Wren

LATONA PUB: Phil Sparks, Hadley Caliman and Matt Jorgensen

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Doug Reid Group

PAMPAS ROOM: Brian Nova Quartet

SERAFINA: Fred Hoadley Trio

Thursday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Daniel Barry and Walk All Ways

JAZZ ALLEY: John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey

NEW ORLEANS: Ham Carson Quintet

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Susan Robinson, with Darin Clendenin (piano), Clipper Anderson (bass) and Mark Ivester (drums)
9pm – Jonathon Sheckler Group

THAIKU: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson and Tad Britton

STANFORDS: Gail Pettis Trio
17380 Southcenter Pkwy, Tukwila, 7:00pm

LO-FI: Gravity w/ Tim Kennedy, Ian Sheridan, & Claudio Rochat Felix (10:00pm)

LUCID JAZZ LOUNGE: “The Hang” Jam w/ Josh Rawlings, Evan Flory-Barnes, Jeremy Jones (9:30)

More on the proposed changes at KBCS

The up-coming changes to KBCS programming will deal a huge blow to the Seattle Jazz Community and local jazz on the radio. A number of long-time volunteers and KBCS fans have grouped together to form Save KBCS. As their website says, they want to “Keep the ‘Community’ in Community Radio.”

For the full list of proposed changes by KBCS management, click here.

The list of shows to be eliminated are:

* The Bud and Don Show
* Bebop Spoken Here
* 20th Century Jazz
* Vintage Jazz
* The Caravan
* Lunch With Folks
* Daily Planet
* Drive Time Jazz

Looking at this list it is evident that a large chunk of jazz will be taken off the Seattle airwaves. Drive Time Jazz especially will greatly impact the Seattle Jazz Community.

We at Seattle Jazz Scene have talked to a number of KBCS DJs over the years and they have made it their mission to consciously play new music, music by active jazz artists (something you can’t always hear on KPLU), and give prominent attention to Seattle jazz musicians when they have new CDs out. With the 7-9am Drive Time Jazz spot filled with public affairs programming, KBCS is going head-to-head with public affairs programming on KPLU, KUOW, AM1090 and others.

With John Gilbreath being tapped to host a 9 – Noon spot Monday – Friday, this poses even more questions for the Seattle jazz community. His new show is listed as playing, “jazz, world, and Americana,” which means jazz have a smaller presence than it currently does. And with Gilbreath on the air 15 hours a week (and at least another hour a day in commuting bringing his total commitment to approximately 20 hours), how will impact his job as Executive Director of Earshot Jazz?

From what we have heard and what has been written by KBCS management, the change in programming has been brought on by declining listenership. Looking at traditional Seattle media metrics this claim can be validated. But … one should point out that KBCS’ listeners are far from “traditional”. KBCS’ programming is eclectic and therefore their listeners are eclectic. Are jazz fans inclined to listen to afternoon world and folk music? Probably not. But that is the charm of KBCS. It is a station that servers many musical communities throughout the Northwest.

We will be following this story more. If you want to voice your opinions, call KBCS at 425-564-2427 or email [email protected]