Friday Jazz

NEW ORLEANS: Thomas Marriott’s Flexicon

JAZZ ALLEY: Rachelle Ferrell

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Michael Blake & Hellbent

TRIPLE DOOR MAINSTAGE: Leon Redbone

LATONA PUB: Phil Sparks Trio

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Vinyl Logic with Peter Tutak (bass), Jon Goneau (keys), Jason Graczyk (guitar), Kelly Paletta (drums) and Matt Reid (trumpet/flugelhorn)
9pm – Clave Gringa featuring Ann-ita Reynolds (piano), Daniel Barry (trumpet), Dan O’Brien (bass), Marty Tuttle (timbales), Edsson Otero (congas)

BAKE’S PLACE: Greta Matassa with special guest Jovon Miller (Tap Dancer)

BOXLEY’S: Jay Thomas Trio

THE CHAPEL: Rachel Matthews

EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Trish Hatley Trio

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Fred Hoadley Trio

LUCID JAZZ LOUNGE: Susan Carr Ensemble

HIROSHI’S: Karen Shivers Quartet

Review: Nelda Swiggett, This Time

from All About Jazz:

Comparisons with Thelonious Monk and McCoy Tyner notwithstanding, Seattle- native Nelda Swiggett summons the influence of a piano talent closer to home, that of the late Gene Harris. Both pianists’ styles are characterized by a bright palette, a sinewy execution and a powerful, assertive command. Swiggett’s atonal tendencies echo Monk and her percussive nature, Tyner. Taken as a whole, the sound is all Swiggett’s: refined and confident, open and inviting.

This Time is Swiggett’s first recording for the OA2 label, and third release overall. No Time for Daydreams (1993), with the Room to Move Sextet, and Hands On (1999) were released on her own Moving Room imprint. This Time features 11 original Swiggett compositions that all reveal a keen ear for memorable and unique jazz composition. Swiggett favors rhythmic archetypes such as the punctuated “Jack and Key Boo Ba,” the closely chaotic “Mere Madness,” and the Latinesque “Beyond That.”

Swiggett is very much a double fisted pianist, like Harris, who is able to coax much from her piano. The orchestral expanse of her playing would enable Swiggett to easily produce a full-bodied solo recital. Bassist Chris Symer shares a close empathy with the pianist, fully able to duplicate and sustain her craggy rhythms. His arco playing on “The Time Being” is beautifully appropriate. Drummer Byron Vannoy is the anchor that keeps this trio grounded, his playing never too loud of overbearing. Swiggitt’s singing is also very fine, though closely guarded as she sings on only three of the disc’s compositions. This Time is a strong and elegant jazz showing.

Friday: Michael Blake and Hellbent

Earshot Jazz presents:
Michael Blake and Hellbent
Friday, April 30, 7:30pm

Tula’s Nightclub and Restaurant
2214 Second Ave (Belltown)
Seattle

Blake teams with fellow Lounge Lizard Alumni and Ornette Coleman drummer Calvin Weston, tuba virtuoso Marcus Rojas, and string innovator Charlie Burnham on violin. Hellbent is best experienced live, where the band’s passion and urgency fills the room and its inhabitants with unrestrained excitement. As one All About Jazz author commented: “They are hell bent on having fun and creating music that speaks to the heart and soul as well to the body and the mind.” more info

For reservations call 206-443-4221
$18 general, $16 Earshot members and seniors, $10 student

Thursday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Blue Street Voices

JAZZ ALLEY: Rachelle Ferrell

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Andrew Oliver Kora Band

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Rik Wright’s Zen Tornado, with Rik Wright (guitar), James DeJoie (reeds), Walter White (bass) and Jim Parsons (drums)

BARCA: Clark Gibson Trio

THAIKU: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson and Tad Britton

NEW ORLEANS: Ham Carson Quintet

LUCID: The Hang with The Teaching

CD Review: Wellstone Conspiracy, Motives

from All About Jazz.com

The Wellstone Conspiracy is a collective venture for four of the more prolific jazz musicians residing in the Northwest region of the United States. The group consists of Idaho-based saxophonist Brent Jensen and from Seattle, pianist Bill Anschell, bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop. The quartet, previously heard together on Jensen’s One More Mile (Origin, 2008), hits the mark with Motives, a disc full of stunning interplay and individual showmanship.

A highlight of the recording is the opening “Bye Bye Blackwell,” Jenson’s tribute to the late drummer Ed Blackwell. The tune builds on Johnson’s droning double stops and Jenson’s lyrical melody with spirited free-form improvising and aggressive drum flourishes from Bishop. Anschell’s swinging “Phindango,” based on the chord changes to Herbie Hancock’s “Dolphin Dance,” showcases the pianist’s ability to express harmonic sophistication with an inviting warmth. The tune also features one of many exceptional solo spots for Johnson. The bassist shines throughout the recording with a deep-in-the-wood tone and free flowing lines. He is especially poignant on his composition “Portrait,” a moving ballad.

Continue reading at All About Jazz.com

Wednesday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: Anat Cohen with Benny Green, Peter Washington and Lewis Nash

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Greta Matassa Vocal Showcase

NEW ORLEANS: Legacy Quartet w/Clarence Acox

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Vocal Jam hosted by Dina Blade, with Chris Morton (piano), Larry Holloway (bass) and Ed Littlefield (drums)
9pm – Vocal Showcase featuring Andy Shaw, Fathia Atallah and Terrence Woodson – Hosted by Carol Potvin, with Chris Morton (piano), Larry Holloway (bass) and Ed Littlefield (drums)

Pat Metheny Masterclass on Friday

Seventeen-time Grammy award winning guitarist Pat Metheny makes a special appearance at the School of Music on Friday, April 30, noon to 1 p.m. at Brechemin Auditorium when he leads a clinic with UW jazz students. The event is free and open to the public.

Friday, April 30, 2010
Noon to 1 p.m.

LOCATION: Brechemin Auditorium
(on the University of Washington campus)

for more information: 206-685-8384

Pat Metheny will be performing at Meany Theather Friday night as part of his tour in support of Orchestrion.

Tuesday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: Anat Cohen with Benny Green, Peter Washington and Lewis Nash

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: The Little Big Band

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Washington Middle School and Hamilton Middle School Jazz students

THE MIX: Don Mock

OWL ‘N THISTLE: Jam w/ Eric Verlinde & Jose Martinez

Sunday Jazz

BALLARD JAZZ FESTIVAL – Swedish Pancake Jazz Brunch w/ Greta Matassa
Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 NW 67th St, 10am & noon
More info: www.ballardjazzfestival.com

TULAS JAZZ CLUB:
3pm – Fairly Honest Jazz  Band
8pm – Gabriel Alegria Afro-Peruvian Sextet

JAZZ ALLEY: David Grisman

SERAFINA:
6pm – Jerry Frank

BOXLEY’S: Danny Kolke Trio

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

CAFE RACER: Racer Sessions
5828 Roosevelt Way NE, 8pm

CONCERT: Murl Allen Sanders Quartet
Marine View Church, 8469 Eastside Dr NE, Tacoma, 5pm

Saturday Jazz

BALLARD JAZZ FESTIVAL – Mainstage Concert:
Claudio Roditi, Jovino Santos-Neto, Hadley Caliman Quartet

Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 NW 67th St, 7:30
More info: www.ballardjazzfestival.com

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Kelley Johnson Quartet

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Dorothy Rodes, w/ Ed Weber (piano) and Jeff Johnson (bass)

BAKE’S PLACE: Marilyn Keller Quartet

EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Trish Hatley Trio

SEATTLE CENTER: World Rhythm Festival
More info: swps.org

CAFE SOLSTICE: Improvised Music Project Festival
More Info: improvisedmusicproject.org

JAZZ ALLEY: David Grisman

SERAFINA: Tim Kennedy Trio

GRAZIE: Michael Powers Group

LUCID: Night of Rhythm & Blues: Tribute to Motown

Friday Jazz

BALLARD JAZZ FESTIVAL – Jazz Walk:
Numerous artists in numerous venues!

Ballard, 6pm. More info: www.ballardjazzfestival.com

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Marc Seales Group

BAKE’S PLACE: Fridays in the Living Room with Greta: Special Guest-Pearl Marilyn Keller

EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Trish Hatley Trio

LATONA PUB: Phil Sparks Trio

HIROSHI’S: Sukiyaki

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Stephanie Porter & Friends

LUCID JAZZ LOUNGE: Mark Lilly

SEATTLE CENTER: World Rhythm Festival
More info: swps.org

CAFE SOLSTICE: Improvised Music Project Festival
More Info: improvisedmusicproject.org

JAZZ ALLEY: David Grisman

SERAFINA: Fred Hoadley Trio

GRAZIE: Michael Powers Group

Thursday Jazz

BALLARD JAZZ FESTIVAL continues!

BALLARD JAZZ FESTIVAL – Guitar Summit:
John Moulder, Ulf Bandgren, John Stowell,
Dan Phelps, Matthew Von Doran and Corey Christiansen

Sunset Tavern, 8pm. More info: www.ballardjazzfestival.com

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: BCC Jazz Orchestra w/ Hal Sherman

JAZZ ALLEY: David Grisman

NEW ORLEANS: Ham Carson

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – First Circle, w/ Michael Cosgrove (guitar), Larry Messer (guitar), Jeff Fiorini (bass) w/Lars Larson (drums)
9pm – Catherine Feeny

THAIKU: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson, Tad Britton

LUCID JAZZ LOUNGE: The Hang w/ The Teaching

BARCA: Clark Gibson Trio
11th and E Pike, 9pm

Wednesday Jazz

BALLARD JAZZ FESTIVAL starts tonight!

BALLARD JAZZ FESTIVAL – BROTHERHOOD OF THE DRUM:
Barrett Martin, Chris Icasiano and Speak, Byron Vannoy,
Thione Diop, Matt Jorgensen

Sunset Tavern, 8pm. More info: www.ballardjazzfestival.com

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Beth Winter’s Cornish Vocal Showcase

JAZZ ALLEY: Susana Baca

NEW ORLEANS: Legacy Quartet w/Clarence Acox

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Chip Parker, w/ Randy Halberstadt (piano), Chuck Kistler (bass) and Robert Rushing (drums)

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio

LUCID JAZZ LOUNGE: Maggie Laird Trio

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Diane Fast – Neale

Ballard Jazz Festival Starts Wednesday

from The Seattle Times:

The last few years of tenor saxophonist Hadley Caliman’s career have been among his most productive, after decades spent off the radar in prison, in recovery — both the result of his past drug addiction — and quietly teaching music while living in the Columbia River town of Cathlamet.

Caliman, who will perform Saturday at the annual Ballard Jazz Festival, is awaiting the release of his third album in two years (a yet unnamed recording with longtime friend Pete Christlieb), which follows “Gratitude” in 2008 and this year’s “Straight Ahead.” In early April, the album peaked at No. 2 on the JazzWeek Jazz Chart — a measure of radio airplay in North America.

Caliman and his quartet from “Straight Ahead” (trumpeter Thomas Marriott, pianist Eric Verlinde, bassist Phil Sparks, drummer Matt Jorgensen) will open the Mainstage Concert at 7:30 p.m. They will be followed by the festival’s headliner, Brazilian trumpeter Claudio Roditi, who will play with Seattle-based pianist Jovino Santos-Neto, also a Brazilian native. Bassist Chuck Deardorf and drummer Mark Ivester make up the rest of the rhythm section.

The festival, in its eighth year, has matured to reliable form, featuring the area’s best jazz musicians and five days of performances all over downtown Ballard. As usual, the festival brought in a prominent player from outside the area, Roditi, a New Yorker and a regular at the Lionel Hampton festival in Idaho. Singer Greta Matassa will perform at a jazz brunch Sunday, expanded to include two seatings at 10 a.m. and noon.

But most of the sentiment surrounds Caliman, 78, for whom the past few years have also been a time of narrowing focus for reasons unrelated to playing jazz.

Caliman has liver cancer.

“I’m almost 79, how much more time am I supposed to get, 30 more years?” Caliman said, laughing gently. “Give me a break. You just have to face it … It will just take care of itself.

Continue reading at The Seattle Times.

Tuesday Jazz

EASTSIDE JAZZ CLUB: Trish, Has & Phil
Sherman Clay (1000 Bellevue Way, Bellevue), 7:30

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Roadside Attraction

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: The Andrew D’Angelo/Cuong Vu Quartet shows originally scheduled for tonight have been cancelled. Andrew has been stuck in Europe due to the recent volcanic activity in Iceland

MIX: Don Mock

OWL ‘N THISTLE: Jam w/ Eric Verlinde & Jose Martinez

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Karin Kajita

Sunday Jazz

TULAS JAZZ CLUB:
3pm – Jay Thomas Big Band
8pm – Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra

JAZZ ALLEY: Madelience Peyroux

SERAFINA:
11am – Alex Guilbert / Jerry Frank
6pm – Ann Reynolds / Tobi Stone

BOXLEY’S: Danny Kolke Trio

BAKE’S PLACE: Sunday Blues, BBQ & Beer: Paul Green & Straight Shot

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Sunday Night Salsa: Orquesta Caribe

CAFE RACER: Racer Sessions
5828 Roosevelt Way NE, 8pm

CONCERT: Bill Frisell and UW students and Jazz Panel Discussion
Meany Theater, UW Seattle, 3pm and 4:30pm, more info: www.music.washington.edu/jazz20/

Saturday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: Madeleine Peyroux

BAKE’S PLACE: Gail Pettis Quartet

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
3pm – Jannie Spain and Friends
7:30pm – Greta Matassa w/ Robert Vaughn

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Tom Baker Quartet
9pm – Room for Roots Series
11pm – Jim Knodle and the Distract Band

EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Trish Hatley Trio

LUCID JAZZ LOUNGE: Moraine

GRAZIE: Katie King Trio

BOXLEY’S: Janette West Quartet

CONCERT: SRJO presents Birth of the Cool
Nordstrom Recital Hall, 200 University St, 7:30pm more info: srjo.org