Seattle Jazz Scene

from The Seattle Times:

For Los Angeles percussionist Pete Escovedo, music has always been a family affair.

The Northern California native first made his mark with his siblings Coke and Phil in the Escovedo Brothers Latin Jazz Band, a sextet that expanded the West Coast Afro-Cuban sound pioneered by Cal Tjader.

Along with his brother Coke (who passed away in 1986), he went on to found the seminal Latino rock band Azteca in 1970, though Pete reached a much larger audience touring and recording with Santana in the mid-’70s.

During his three decades as a bandleader, Escovedo has continued to draw on his clan’s deep pool of talent. Opening a four-night run with his orchestra on Thursday at Jazz Alley, Escovedo will be joined by two of his four children, a potent percussion section tandem featuring his son Juan Escovedo and daughter Sheila E (who gained fame through her collaboration with Prince during his “Purple Rain” heyday).

Continue reading at The Seattle Times.

Today at Noon: Masterclass w/ Jane Ira Bloom Quartet, Poncho Concert Hall (710 E Roy St)

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Dawn Clement Quintet featuring Thomas Marriott, Mark Taylor and Jaz Sawyer

BAKE’S PLACE: Greta Matassa with Susan Pascal

BOXLEY’S: Ocho Pies

LOCAL COLOR: Rochelle House

THE CHAPEL: Seattle Improvised Music Festival

LATONA PUB: Phil Sparks Trio

NEW ORLEANS: Charles White Band

EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Trish Hatley Trio

HIROSHI’S: Jazz and Sushi

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Susan Carr Ensemble Valentine’s Show, with Susan Carr (vocals), Fred Hoadley (piano), Brian Kent (sax), Dan Schmidt (bass), Robert Petersen (guitar) and Don Dieterich (drums)

SERAFINA: Kiko de Freitas

Another first for Seattle’s Origin/OA2 Records. This week there are six current releases in the JazzWeek Top 50 National Radio Airplay Chart. To put that in perspective, Origin & OA2 titles are being played on nationwide jazz radio more than Blue Note, Concord, Sunnyside and Mack Avenue combined.

And congratulations again to the Northwest area artists who are on the Top 50: Gail Pettis (#7), Hadley Caliman (#11) and Phil Kelly (#38)!

Current Origin/OA2 titles in the Top 50
7 – GAIL PETTIS Here In The Moment (OA2 Records)
10 – DANA HALL Into The Light (Origin)
11 – HADLEY CALIMAN Straight Ahead (Origin)
26 – TOM TALLITSCH Perspective (OA2 Records)
38 – PHIL KELLY & THE NW PREVAILING WINDS Ballet Of The Bouncing Beagles (Origin)
45 – BUG The Gadfly (Origin)

SEATTLE ART MUSEUM: Art of Jazz: Dawn Clement Trio
from Earshot Jazz: As Julian Priester has noted: “In all this world of jazz, there are very few individual voices, no matter what the instrument. But Dawn Clement has come up with a voice that’s unique. One can’t say that she sounds like Bud Powell or Oscar Peterson or the Herbie Hancocks or Chick Coreas or Keith Jarretts of the world. Dawn Clement’s music is uniquely heard. And that’s the thing that grabbed my attention.” Hailing from Seattle, WA, pianist Dawn Clement attended and now serves as faculty at the Cornish College of the Arts. Collaborating regularly with Jane Ira Bloom, the Seattle Pianist Collective, and Julian Priester, and having released four acclaimed albums under her own name, Clement has established herself as a true Seattle treasure. Now in its 15th year, the Art of Jazz Series at the Seattle Art Museum Downtown features performances the on the second Thursday of every month at 5:30pm. Free with museum admission!

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Leah Natale and Katherine Stuber

NEW ORLEANS: Ham Carson Quintet

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Cahalen Morrison
9pm – Voices of Seattle – Elnah Jordan, Reggie Goings and Katie King with Randy Halberstadt (piano)

BOXLEY’S: Gary Shutes Quartet

SIP: Sue Bell & Chris Morton

SERAFINA: Alex Guilbert

SORRENTO: Karin Kajita

THAIKU: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson & Tad Britton

LUCID: The Hang with The Teaching

]The 2009 Earshot Golden Ear Award Nominations are up and you can vote online at the Earshot website.

The awards ceremony will be held on Monday, February 15th at The Triple Door featuring the music of Greg Williamson’s A-Y-P Large Ensemble.

And the nominees are …

2009 NW Recording of the Year:
Rochelle House, Water (House Records)
Thomas Marriott, Flexicon (Origin Records)
Mark Taylor, Spectre (Origin Records)
Neil Welch & Chris Icasiano, Bad Luck (Belle Records)

2009 NW Acoustic Jazz Group:
WACO / Washington Composers Orchestra
The Teaching
Mark Taylor Quartet
Hans Teuber

2009 NW Alternative Jazz Group:
Neil Welch / Chris Icasiano Duo
Speak
Sunship
Goat

2009 NW Jazz Instrumentalist:
Eric Barber, saxophones
Chris Icasiano, drums
Jeff Johnson, bass
Tom Varner, French horn
Neil Welch, saxophones

Emerging Artist of 2009:
Andy Clausen & Sjenka
Evan Flory-Barnes & The Teaching
Speak
Sunship
Neil Welch / Chris Icasiano Duo

2009 NW Vocalist of the Year:
Cocoa Martini (Karen Shivers, Kimberly Reason, Kay Bailey)
Rochelle House
Bernie Jacobs
Valerie Joyce
Greta Matassa

2009 NW Concert of the Year:
Evan Flory-Barnes, “Acknowledgment of a Celebration,” Town Hall, Earshot Jazz Festival, 11/8
Frank Gratkowski/ Achim Kaufman/ Wilbert De Joode, Chapel Performance Space, Wayward Music Series & Earshot Jazz Festival, 11/2
Sunship w/ Bora Ju & Archana Bennur, Mr Spot’s Chai House, 11/14
Tom Varner Tentet, Chapel Performance Space, Earshot Jazz Festival, 10/29
Neil Welch & Chris Icasiano, Bad Luck CD release, Chapel Performance Space, 11/14

Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame Nominees
Marc Seales
Overton Berry
Chuck Deardorf
Stuart Dempster
Bert Wilson

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Gail Pettis CD Release Party

JAZZ ALLEY: Ernie Watts and New Stories

NEW ORLEANS: Legacy Quartet w/Clarence Acox

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Nathan Hale High School Vocal Jazz and Jazz Combo
9pm – Vocal Jam hosted by Penelope Donado, with Beth Wulff (piano), Joe Casalini (bass) and Jim Wulff (drums)

BOXLEY’S: Craig Hoyer

SERAFINA: Sue Nixon & Friends

ERNIE WATTS AND NEW STORIES
JAZZ ALLEY
February 9-10, 2010

2033 6th Avenue, Seattle WA 98121
Reservations: 206.441.9729

The Pacific Jazz Institute at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley presents two-time Grammy-Winning saxophonist Ernie Watts, touring in support of his latest release Four plus Four, for two nights. Band members joining Mr. Watts are Marc Seales (piano), Doug Miller (upright bass) and John Bishop (drums). Show times Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30pm. Doors Tuesday at 6pm & Wednesday at 5:30pm.

Ernie Watts returns to Seattle for his premier headline engagement in support of his latest release Four plus Four. This rare appearance will give Watts the opportunity to shine at his improvisational best as a leader, featuring his warm “Trane-soaked-in-wine” tone on material specially chosen for the occasion. Over the years, Watts has been heard at the club in various scenarios with groups led by Kurt Elling, Gene Harris and Lee Ritenour.

New York trumpeter is passing through town on his way to Vancouver and will be performing at Egan’s Ballard Jam House on Thursday, February 18 at 9:00pm. The the intimate space of Egan’s, this promises to be an amazing show.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18
EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE
1707 NW Market Street
Seattle, WA 98107

Tickets: $10 / All Ages
Reservations: 206-789-1621

featuring:
JIM ROTONDI – trumpet
JOHN HANSEN – piano
CHUCK DEARDORF – bass
MATT JORGENSEN – drums

Trumpeter Jim Rotondi has been a major figure in the world of jazz for over 20 years, both in New York and on the international scene. His sound, soul, and sense of swing have been in demand as leader and sideman all over the world.

Since relocating to New York, Jim has toured and recorded with a host of jazz luminaries, including the big bands of Ray Charles, Lionel Hampton, Grammy-winner Toshiko Akiyoshi, Bob Mintzer, and the small groups of Charles Earland, Lou Donaldson, Curtis Fuller and Joe Chambers. Jim currently leads two of his own groups, a quintet featuring vibraphonist Joe Locke in the front line, as well as an electric group, Full House, which also features pianist David Hazeltine. He is also a founding member of the collective sextet One For All, which features a front line of saxophonist Eric Alexander and trombonist Steve Davis, as well as the aforementioned Hazeltine, drummer Joe Farnsworth and bassist John Webber in the rhythm section.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: GTZB: Jason Goessl, Mark Taylor, Tom Zgonc and Ryan Burns

NEW ORLEANS: New Orleans Quintet

TOST: Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Howard Dixon

We are looking forward to seeing The Who perform during Halftime of the Superbowl … but can their performance possibly be better than the halftime entertainment of Superbowl 16?

JAZZ ALLEY: Esperanza Spalding

Seattle Jazz Vespers: A Benefit Concert for Haiti
From Earshot Jazz: This special concert benefits relief efforts for last week’s Port-au-Prince, Haiti earthquake. All donations are free-will and will be donated to Companis/ World Relief. Presented by the Seattle Jazz Vespers, this benefit event features the Stephanie Porter Quartet and special guest Lance Buller. Porter is a longtime figure of the Northwest jazz scene, performing for over 15 years. An outstanding jazz vocalist, Porter prompted one Downbeat critic to muse: “Porter is one of the most complex individuals and unpredictable singers I’ve ever met. Lord how this lady sings.” Her quartet of Bill Anschell (piano), Danny O’Brien (bass), and Steve Yusen (drums) will be augmented by trumpeter and vocalist Lance Buller. The Seattle Jazz Vespers presents 100 minutes of Pacific Northwest jazz the first Sunday of each month in the beautiful sanctuary of the Seattle First Baptist Church. Always a family friendly concert, the event also features light refreshments and an opportunity to meet with artists following the performance. The 2010 Vespers season is set to include such ensembles as Cocoa Martini, Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra, Blue Street Singers, and the Zazou Sextet. Please spread the word about about this benefit concert! First Baptist Church, Sunday February 7 at 6pm.

SERAFINA:
11:00am: Alex Guilbert Duo
6:30pm: Ann Reynolds & Tobi Stone

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Kelley Johnson Quartet

JAZZ ALLEY: Esperanza Spalding

BAKE’S PLACE: Jovino Santos Neto Quarteto

BOXLEY’S: Kelly Eisenhour Quartet

WAYWARD COFFEEHOUSE: Jazz in the Corner
8570 Greenwood Ave N, 8:00pm

LUCID: Solbird

SERAFINA: Leo Raymundo Trio

SORRENTO HOTEL: Sue Bell Quartet

Singer Gail Pettis will celebrate the release of her new CD, Here in the Moment, currently #5 on the JazzWeek chart, with a performance at Tula’s on Wednesday, February 10 at 7:30pm.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB
2214 2nd Ave, Seattle
7:30pm, $10
Reservations: 206-443-4221

With an exquisitely subtle three-and-a-half-octave approach to the Great American Songbook, Gail Pettis developed a loyal following as her debut recording “May I Come In?” received international play throughout 2007. Now she returns with “Here in the Moment,” a collection of 11 songs including a 5/4 arrangement of “Who Can I Turn To,” a rousing latin treatment of “I Could Have Danced All Night,” and a duo with bass on the Nashville hit “Snap Your Fingers.” With a recent award of “Northwest Vocalist of the Year” from Earshot Jazz, “Here In The Moment” reflects an exciting period in this singular vocalist’s musical career.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Hadley Caliman Quintet featuring Thomas Marriott

LATONA PUB: Phil Sparks Trio

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE
7pm – Larry Johnson and Gary Engbrecht
9pm – Dina Blade and Friends, with Greg Glassman (guitar), Chuck Kistler (bass) and Jim Knodle (trumpet)

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM:
5:30pm – Peter Schmeeckle Sextet
9:00pm – Tor Dietrichson Blues Machine

BAKE’S PLACE: Greta Matassa and Gary Scott

SERAFINA: Kelly Ash Trio

LUCID JAZZ: Bebop w/ K.N.O.T.

LOCAL COLOR: Beth & Jim Wulff

BOXLEYS: Ocho Pies

HIROSHI’S: Jazz and Sushi

BOXLEY’S: Jay Thomas Trio

LUCID JAZZ LOUNGE: The Hang with The Teaching

THAIKU: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson & Tad Britton

SERAFINA: Alex Guilbert

NEW ORLEANS: Bob Jackson Quintet

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Susan Robinson with Darin Clendenin (piano), Clipper Anderson (bass) and Mark Ivester (drums)

from The New York Times:

PAT METHENY, the jazz guitarist, has lately spent an inordinate amount of time thinking about robots. Actually, that’s putting it mildly: he has been downright obsessed with robots, and with getting them to do his bidding. “I haven’t slept more than four hours a night for six months now,” he said one day last fall at a makeshift rehearsal space in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn, the former home of a Byzantine Catholic church.

Wearing a T-shirt and faded jeans, his tousled mane tucked under a baseball cap, Mr. Metheny stood before a 14-foot-high, 35-foot-wide wall festooned with musical instruments: an imposing, circuit-wired one-man band. The contraption itself seemed byzantine, all the more so when it sprang to life in a mechanical whirl: beaters tapping cymbals, levers gliding over strings, mallets cascading across a vibraphone.

Continue reading at The New York Times.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE:

from The New York Times:

… Never a grandstander, unconcerned with publicity, [Fred] Hersch has been a fiercely independent but unassuming presence on the New York jazz scene since he moved to the city at age 21 in 1977. He has made more than 45 albums as a solo performer, composer, bandleader or duo partner since 1991, when he released his first record of original material, a collection of unclassifiable songs composed for jazz rhythm section, tenor saxophone and cello, aptly titled, “Forward Motion.” His body of work is clearly recognizable as a manifesto of contemporary jazz. “Some people think I sound like Fred,” says Mehldau, who like Iverson is a former student of Hersch’s. “That’s because Fred was a major influence on me and on a lot of the players around today. Fred’s musical world is a world where a lot of the developments of jazz history and all of music history come together in a very contemporary way. His style has a lot to do with thinking as an individual, and it has a lot to do with beauty. I wouldn’t be doing what I do if I hadn’t learned from Fred, and I think that’s true of quite a few other people.”

Continue reading at The New York Times.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Smith/Staelens Big Band

NEW ORLEANS: Legacy Quartet w/Clarence Acox

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
9pm – Vocal Showcase hosted by Kathleen Donnelly, featuring Julie Olson, Pat Johnston and Dee Brown. Accompanied by Darin Clendenin (piano), Dan O’Brien (bass) and Robert Rushing (drums)

BOXLEY’S: Bob Hammer & Chris Clark

LUCID: Leif Totusek & Company

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio

JAZZ ALLEY: Brian Bromberg Band

Seattle jazz artists Gail Pettis and Hadley Caliman both have CDs with strong showings on the JazzWeek National Airplay Chart.

Gail Pettis’ new CD, Here In The Moment, is currently #5 and Hadley Caliman’s Straight Ahead jumped from #54 to #12 this week.

Bellingham-based composer Phil Kelly‘s new CD, Ballet Of The Bouncing Beagles, featuring a number of Seattle musicians, is currently #26.

Congratulations to both Hadley, Gail and Phil for giving Seattle such a strong presence on national radio.

RELATED LINKS:
Buy Gail Pettis’ Here In The Moment
Buy Hadley Caliman’s Straight Ahead
Buy Phil Kelly’s Ballet Of The Bouncing Beagles

Best Contemporary Jazz Album
75
Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate
[Heads Up International]

Best Jazz Vocal Album
Dedicated To You: Kurt Elling Sings The Music Of Coltrane And Hartman
Kurt Elling
[Concord Jazz]

Best Improvised Jazz Solo
Dancin’ 4 Chicken
Terence Blanchard, soloist
Track from: Watts (Jeff “Tain” Watts)
[Dark Key Music]

Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual Or Group
Five Peace Band – Live
Chick Corea & John McLaughlin Five Peace Band
[Concord Records]

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
Book One
New Orleans Jazz Orchestra
[World Village]

Best Latin Jazz Album
Juntos Para Siempre
Bebo Valdés And Chucho Valdés
[Sony Music/Calle 54]