Thursday Jazz

February 17, 2011 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Sonando
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Orchestra feat. Sheila E. & Juan Escovedo
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Jerry Zimmerman
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: Ham Carson Quintet
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

THAIKU: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson, Tad Britton
5410 Ballard Ave NW, 8:30pm

LUCID: The Hang hosted by Evan Flory-Barnes, Josh Rawlings and Jason Holt
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Janette West Duo
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

BARCA: Phil Sparks / Adam Kessler Trio
1510 11th Avenue, Seattle, (206) 325-8263, 9:00pm

and if you are by your computer at 6:30pm tonight, tune into the Hal Galper Trio performing at Smalls in New York. You can watch it online on the Smalls’ website.

Tonight: Doug Beavers and Thomas Marriott at Tula’s

February 16, 2011 / / No Comments

New York trombonist Doug Beavers comes to Seattle to co-lead a band with trumpeter Thomas Marriott for a special night of music. Featuring an all-star band including Marc Seales on piano, Evan Flory-Barnes on Bass and Dvonne Lewis on drums, Beavers and Marriott will be featuring compositions written especially for the occasion. Not to be missed!

Tula’s Restaurant & Nightclub
February 16
7:30p
$10
http://tulas.com/

Wednesday Jazz

February 16, 2011 / / No Comments

JAZZ ALLEY: The Benny Green Quartet with special guest Donald Harrison
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Doug Beavers / Thomas Marriott Special Edition
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Bonnie Birch
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: The Legacy Band with Clarence Acox
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio
5410 Ballard Ave NW, 8:30pm

BOXLEY’S: Bob Hammer
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

CD Review: Brad Shepik, Across The Way

February 16, 2011 / / No Comments

from All About Jazz.com

Guitarist Brad Shepik mines a lode of styles on his compositions. Shadow and light play through his music, and he is not averse to opening the door to let a swath of sunshine in. The mood is never static, the wheel of invention is constantly churning out ideas that surprise and delight.

Shepik wrote most of Across The Way’s tunes while he was on the road, where he teamed up with vibraphonist Tom Beckham, bassist Jorge Roeder and drummer Mark Guiliana to form his first quartet. The musicians respond to his every need, the empathy between them electric, as they pick up and advance ideas to illuminate the spirit of the compositions.

The music has several influences, into which Shepik breathes his own affirmations. The acoustic intro to the title track underscores his open, linear approach. His use of space is judicious, as he lets the others come in and, in doing so, allow the song to blossom. The sensibility of the composition undergoes a change as the tempo surges and the electric guitar cuts a deeper swath. Time has been probed and altered to spin an enticing web.

“German Taco” is a sunny, playful tune. Shepik grabs the concept and lets the melody billow in a run of crystalline notes. His perception is acute, and he bends emphasis almost imperceptibly. Beckham is the perfect cohort as he saturates the melody, dancing on the notes and broadening the appeal. A crisp rhythm section adds to the impact and makes this a standout.

The closing “Train Home” is largely introspective. The mellow mood and the repeated motifs create a hypnotic aura, and with the introduction of a discernible and compelling melody the seduction is complete.

Shepik has crafted a rich sonic palette of creative brilliance.

CD Review: Roxy Coss

February 15, 2011 / / No Comments

From All About Jazz.com

There is no question that women musicians have, and continue to play, a major role in jazz—from composers and band leaders such as Maria Schneider to renowned pianist Marian McPartland,—but few make their mark as saxophonists. Roxy Coss is a New York-based saxophonist who, with her self-titled debut, joins the likes of Anat Cohen, Mary Fettig, Tia Fuller, and Karolina Strassmayer, as a saxophone voice with which to be reckoned. On her debut, Coss—on tenor and soprano saxophones, as well as flute—offers up eight superb originals, performed by her sextet.

The material includes elements of R&B, classical, funk and Latin styles, with a generally relaxed, modern jazz undertone. “Wandering One” begins the set with a warm-toned flugelhorn solo from Kate Miller, setting the stage for Coss’ first solo, on a briskly swinging melody. “Lately” changes direction drastically, a heavy ballad that drags a bit in tempo, while the Latin swing is alive and well on “A New Time,” where Coss, on flute, moves to an upbeat Latin rhythm. The album’s most ambitious piece is, however, the gospel-influenced ballad, “Enlightenment,” patterned after John Coltrane’s “Dear Lord.”

Coss does her best to be diverse on this first effort, and to that end she offers the funk-tinged “The Slow Accent.” and contemporary “The Cherry On Top,” two different but equally impressive charts. Coss ends the project with soprano, on the dark ballad “I Think So,” returning to the tenor on her R&B finale, “July.”

Neither flashy nor dull, Coss plays the saxophone with a measure of swing, swagger and sensitivity—all qualities that make this debut well worth a listen.

Photos: Jovino Santos Neto at South Seattle CC

February 15, 2011 / / No Comments

Photos by Jim Levitt:

On Saturday, February 12, Music Northwest put on a concert at South Seattle Community College’s excellent Olympic Recital Hall. Jovino Santos Neto, Chuck Deardorf and Mark Ivester were joined by Seattle Symphony violist Mara Gearman for “Brazilian Jazz Meets Classical.” Great show.


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Tuesday Jazz

February 15, 2011 / / No Comments

JAZZ ALLEY: The Benny Green Quartet with special guest Donald Harrison
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm & 9:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Roadside Attraction
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Karin Kajita
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

MIX: Don Mock & Steve Kim
6006 12th Ave South, 206-767-0280, 9:00pm

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

OWL ‘N THISTLE: Jam w/ Eric Verlinde & Jose Martinez
808 Post Ave, 206-621-7777, 10:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Future Jazz Heads
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

SEAMONSTER LOUNGE: McTuff Trio
2202 N 45th St, 206-633-1824, 10:00pm

Michael Shrieve resumes Monday night residency tonight

February 14, 2011 / / No Comments

Drummer Michael Shrieve and his group Spellbinder resume their Monday night residency at White Rabbit, which is the new club in the space formerly occupied by Tost.

Every Monday – The White Rabbit – 9:30pm
513 N 36th St Suite E
Seattle, WA, 98103

Also, Shrieve was recently voted the the #10 Drummer of All Time by the readers of Rolling Stone magazine.

10. Michael Shrieve
The musical highlight of the original Woodstock concert in 1969 may well be Santana’s 10-minute performance of “Soul Sacrifice.” Drummer Michael Shrieve holds the whole thing together, and Santana was never quite the same after he left in 1974. Since then he’s worked with Sammy Hagar, Todd Rundgren and many others – but he remains best-known for Santana. Fans long for his return to the group, but earlier this year Carlos Santana married his current drummer Cindy Blackman, making Shrieve’s return even more unlikely than before.

Esperanza Spalding wins Best New Artist Grammy

February 14, 2011 / / No Comments

Congrats to Esperanza Spalding and her win for Best New Artist last night at The Grammys. Anytime Joe Lovano and other jazz artists are thanked on national television it is a good thing. Spalding’s star will certainly continue to rise … next stop, the Portland Jazz Festival which starts this weekend.

Here is a video of her backstage at The Grammys after her win:

Monday Jazz

February 14, 2011 / / No Comments

It is Valentine’s Day … what better way to say “I Love You” then taking that special someone out for some music.

JAZZ ALLEY: Mindy Abair
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 and 9:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Greta Matassa Quartet
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

TRIPLE DOOR: Sinatra at the Sands
216 Union Street, 206-838-4333, 7:00pm & 9:30pm

BAKE’S PLACE: David Lanz and Friends
4135 Providence Point Dr. SE Issaquah, (425) 391-3335, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: New Orleans Quintet
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

AMORE: Ronnie Pierce Jazz Ensemble
2301 5th Ave, 206-770-0606, 7:30pm

EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Primo Kim
555 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, 425-455-2734, 6:00pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Coreena Brown w/ Jimmy Holden
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, (206) 772-6891

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Howard Dixon
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

BOXLEY’S: Kelley Johnson and John Hansen
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

Jazz Grammy Winners

February 13, 2011 / / No Comments

CONTEMPORARY JAZZ ALBUM
“The Stanley Clarke Band” – The Stanley Clarke Band [Heads Up International]

JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM
“Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959): To Billie With Love From Dee Dee” – Dee Dee Bridgewater [Emarcy]

IMPROVISED JAZZ SOLO
“A Change Is Gonna Come” – Herbie Hancock
Track from: “The Imagine Project” [Hancock Records]

JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM, INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP
“Moody 4B” – James Moody [IPO Recordings]

LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE ALBUM
“Mingus Big Band Live at Jazz Standard” – Mingus Big Band

LATIN JAZZ ALBUM
“Chucho’s Steps” – Chucho Valdes and the Afro-Cuban Messengers

INSTRUMENTAL COMPOSITION
“The Path Among The Trees” – Billy Childs, composer (Billy Childs Ensemble)
Track from: Autumn: “In Moving Pictures Jazz – Chamber Music Vol. 2” [ArtistShare]

INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT
“Carlos” – Vince Mendoza, arranger (John Scofield, Vince Mendoza & Metropole Orkest)
Track from: “54” [Emarcy/Universal]

INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT ACCOMPANYING VOCALIST(S)
“Baba Yetu” – Christopher Tin, arranger (Christopher Tin, Soweto Gospel Choir & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)
Track from: “Calling All Dawns” [Tin Works Publishing]

Sunday Jazz

February 13, 2011 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
3pm – Jazz Police Big Band
8pm – Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221

JAZZ ALLEY: Mindi Abair
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729

BOXLEY’S: Danny Kolke Trio
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

BAKE’S PLACE:
10am – Sunday Breakfast w/ Michael Gotz
4135 Providence Point Dr SE, Issaquah, 425-391-3335

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

DARRELL’S TAVERN: Jam w/ Kevin McCarthy
18041 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, 8pm

CONCERT: Gail Pettis Trio
Bloedel Reserve, 7571 NE Dolphin Dr, Bainbridge, 4:30, 7:30

CONCERT: PLU Valentine Concert, w/David Deacon-Joyner, Clipper Anderson, Dennis Hastings
12180 Park Ave S, Tacoma, 8pm

Saturday Jazz

February 12, 2011 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Dave Peck Trio w/ Jeff Johnson, Eric Eagle
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Mindi Abair
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729

BOXLEY’S: Todd Hymas w/Reuel Lubag
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

BAKE’S PLACE: Pearl Django
4135 Providence Point Dr. SE Issaquah, (425) 391-3335, 7:30pm

SERAFINA: Jose Gonzales Trio
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 323-0807, 9pm

LUCID: How Now Brown Cow
5241 University Way, Seattle, 9:30pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – ThorNton Creek 9pm – Jim Page, Reggie Garrett and Paul Benoit
1707 NW Market Street, Seattle, 206-789-1621

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Greta Matassa w/ Darin Clendenin
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, (206) 772-6891, 7pm

Friday Jazz

February 11, 2011 / / No Comments

THE CHAPEL: Seattle Improvised Music Festival: Malfatti, Coleman, Collins; Cohen; Arno, Coleman, Cohen, Allport, Lafkas, Burns
The Chapel Performance Space (4639 Sunnyside Avenue North), 8:00pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Dave Peck Trio
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Mindi Abair
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

NEW ORLEANS: Thomas Marriott’s Flexicon
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 8:00pm

LATONA PUB: Phil Sparks Trio
6423 Latona Avenue NE, 5:00 – 7:00pm, No Cover, 21+

AMORE: Lonnie Williams
2301 5th Ave, (206) 770-0606

BAKE’S PLACE: Greta Matassa and Susan Pascal
4135 Providence Point Dr. SE Issaquah, (425) 391-3335, 7:30pm

BOXLEY’S: Jay Thomas Trio
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

HIROSHI’S: Dave Anderson’s “Trio Real”
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966

SERAFINA: Kiko de Freitas
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 323-0807, 9pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Phil Westbrook
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, (206) 772-6891

LUCID: Samba
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7pm: Cara Francis and John Hartman; 9pm: Schroeder’s Stimulus Package
1707 NW Market St, 206-789-1621

Wednesday Jazz

February 9, 2011 / / No Comments

JAZZ ALLEY: Vijay Iyer Trio
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Smith Staelens Big Band
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Bonnie Birch
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: The Legacy Band with Clarence Acox
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio
5410 Ballard Ave NW, 8:30pm

BOXLEY’S: John Hansen
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Vocal Jam hosted by Randall O’Dowd
1707 NW Market St, 206-789-1621, 7:00pm

LUCID: The Farko Collective
5241 University Ave NE, Seattle, 206-402-3042, 8:30pm

SEAMONSTER LOUNGE: Joe Doria Trio
2202 N 45th St, 206-633-1824, 10:00pm

Tuesday Jazz

February 8, 2011 / / No Comments

JAZZ ALLEY: Jack Bruce, John Medeski, Vernon Reid and Cindy Blackman – The Tony Williams Tribute Band
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm & 9:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Emerald City Jazz Orchestra
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

EASTSIDE JAZZ CLUB: Trish Hatley
Sherman Clay Pianos, 1000 Bellevue Way Northeast, Bellevue, 7:30pm, (425) 454-0633

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Karin Kajita
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

MIX: Don Mock & Steve Kim
6006 12th Ave South, 206-767-0280, 9:00pm

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

OWL ‘N THISTLE: Jam w/ Eric Verlinde & Jose Martinez
808 Post Ave, 206-621-7777, 10:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Future Jazz Heads
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

SEAMONSTER LOUNGE: McTuff Trio
2202 N 45th St, 206-633-1824, 10:00pm

Photos: Sun Ra Tribute Band at Is That Jazz?

February 7, 2011 / / No Comments

from Eye Shot Jazz:


Once again the all-star dectet Sun Ra Tribute Band reunited and paid tribute to the inspirational iconoclast Sun Ra by playing many of his compositions from the late 1950s and early 1960s. There were sparkly robes, processions, group vocals, flying objects and planetary alignment. The cast of characters included Stuart Dempster: trombone, Bill Smith: clarinet, Tom Baker: guitar, Greg Sinibaldi: saxophone, Michael Monhart: saxophone, Jim Knodle: trumpet, Lynette Westendorf: piano, Greg Campbell: percussion, horn, Dan O’Brien: bass, Bill Moyer: percussion. performed at the Chapel Performance Space on Friday, Jan 21st.