Seattle Jazz Scene

Also check out Jazz Port Townsend and Jazz In The Valley.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
3pm – Fairly Honest Jazz Band
8pm – Jiggs Whigham and the BuJazzO US TOUR
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221

JAZZ ALLEY: Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band
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 Breakfasts w/guitarist Michael Gotz
4135 Providence Point Dr SE, Issaquah, 425-391-3335

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

DARRELL’S TAVERN: Kevin Mccarthy & Friends Jam Session
18041 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, 8

FAIRE GALLERY CAFE: Monktail session
1351 E Olive Way, Seattle 206-652-0781

SERAFINA: 11:00am: Pasquale Santos; 6:30pm: Jerry Frank
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807

VITO’S LOUNGE: Ruby Bishop
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 6:00pm

PROHIBITION GRILL: Bob Strickland jam
1414 Hewitt Ave, Everett, 425-258-6100, 5:00pm

Also check out Jazz Port Townsend and Jazz In The Valley.

JONES PLAYHOUSE THEATER: Table & Chairs showcase
4045 University Way NE, 8:00pm
From Earshot: Local experimental and improvised music label Table & Chairs is hosting its first of a series of quarterly showcase concerts at 8:00pm on July 30 at the Jones Playhouse Theatre in the U-District. Three bands not previously heard under the banner of Table & Chairs will be performing. Neil Welch’s Sleeper Ensemble and Prawnyxx will perform, and what’s normally a guitar and drum power duo, Simon Henneman and Greg Keplinger, has been expanded to a quartet for the showcase. The Sleeper ensemble is due to release a recording with Table & Chairs at the end of this summer. Simon Henneman and Greg Keplinger also have plans to begin a recording an album for Table & Chairs this year. Admission is $10 at the door. More information at www.tableandchairsmusic.com.

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

JAZZ ALLEY: Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

BAKE’S PLACE: Clairdee
4135 Providence Point Dr SE, Issaquah, 425-391-3335, 7:30pm

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Val D’Alessio; 9pm – Kareem Kandi Group
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

SERAFINA: Javier Anderson Trio
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807

VINO AT THE LANDING: Brooks Giles Trio
800 N 10th Pl, Renton, 7:00pm

VITO’S: Ruby Bishop
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 8:00pm

LUCID: 9:30pm: Klyntel’s Uninhibited: “The Groove Collective”
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042

SORRENTO HOTEL: Miss Rose & Her Rhythm Percolators
900 Madison St, 206-622-6400, 7:30pm

GRAZIE: Charles Mack Band
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm

This weekend is probably the biggest jazz weekend of the year in Western Washington.

Both Jazz Port Townsend and Jazz In The Valley are happening in Port Townsend and Ellensburg respectively and New York vocalist, and former Seattle resident, Kendra Shank is performing at Tula’s tonight.

Go out and hear some live music! And if you like what you hear, send us a fanview or photos.

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

JAZZ ALLEY: Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

NEW ORLEANS: Chad McCullough, Rick Mandyck, Phil Sparks and Matt Jorgensen
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 8:00pm

BAKE’S PLACE: The Yesberger Band
4135 Providence Point Dr SE, Issaquah, 425-391-3335, 7:30pm

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

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

HIROSHI’S: Karen Shivers Quartet
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7pm: Oghale Agbro and Elnah Jordan; 9pm: Karin Blaineand TR Ritchie

SCOTCH AND VINE: D’Vonne Lewis Trio
22341 Marine View Dr S, Des Moines, 7:00pm

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

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Karin Kajita & Emily Mcintosh
1520 NE 177th, Shoreline, (206) 365-4447, 8:00pm

SERAFINA: Alex Guilbert Duo
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807

SORRENTO HOTEL: Kimberly Reason
900 Madison St, 206-622-6400, 7:30pm

GRAZIE: Barbie Anaka
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm

VITOS: Casey MacGill
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695

THE CHAPEL: Operation ID; ManKinSon
Good Shepherd Center (Wallingford), 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jose Gonzales & Katrina Kope
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

INTERBAY GOLF: Scott Lindenmuth
2501 15th Ave W, 206-285-6079, 5:30pm

TRIPLE DOOR: “The Producers” Paul Brown And Darren Rahn
216 Union Street, Seattle, 206-838-4333, 7:30pm

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

BOXLEY’S: Frank Kohl Quartet
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

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

VITO’S: Ron Weinstein Trio
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695

DISTRICT LOUNGE: Cassia Demayo Quintet
4507 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, 206-634-2000, 9:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7:00pm: Jacqueline Tabor; 9:00pm: Chris Chandler and Paul Benoit
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

VITO’S: Julie Cascioppo
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 7:00pm

from The Seattle Times:

“Rob is a jewel,” says longtime Seattle jazz patron David Marriott Sr. of Rob Perry, the svelte, silver-haired manager of Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley for the past 27 years. “After you come down those stairs, you know you’ve got a good friend there. He’s going to take care of you. He sets the tone.”

Perry, 60, the public face of Seattle’s signature jazz institution (the 32-year-old club is owned by John Dimitriou) is retiring at the end of July. For two generations of musicians and fans, saying goodbye will be like losing a familiar old friend.

“He’s going to be missed dearly,” says Dimitriou. “He was a great asset.”

As manager, Perry is not only the face at the bottom of the stairs. He manages 18 servers, five bussers and a front-of-house staff of 10, and oversees the kitchen and bar. It’s not a job for the faint of heart.

Perry started working for Dimitriou in 1984, back when the club was a casual joint in the University District and a manager was needed to run a second club in Pioneer Square. Perry thought his first night might be his last. Pianist Ahmad Jamal was the headliner.

Continue reading at The Seattle Times:

JAZZ ALLEY: Monterey Jazz Festival Next Generation Jazz Orchestra
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Greta Matassa Jazz Workshop
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: Craig Hoyer
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7pm: Vocal Showcase; 9pm: Vocal Jam hosted by Eugenie Jones
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Diane Fast-Neale
1520 NE 177th, Shoreline, (206) 365-4447, 7:00pm

DISTRICT LOUNGE: Peter Daniel
4507 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, 206-634-2000

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

VITO’S: Jerry Zimmerman
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 7:00pm

Are you heading to Jazz Port Townsend or Jazz In The Valley this weekend?

We would like to publish fan reviews and photos … so send in your comments and photos of the shows. They can be as short as a paragraph or a full-fledged review. Those of you with smart phones can talk photos and email them to us.

Send your comments and photos to: [email protected].

Reports are coming in that Frank Foster, saxophonist for the Count Basie Orchestra, passed away this morning.

Update: AP has an obit online via The Seattle Times:

Frank Foster, a jazz saxophonist who played with the Count Basie Orchestra and composed the band’s hit, “Shiny Stockings,” died Tuesday. He was 82.

Foster died Tuesday morning at his home in Chesapeake, Virginia, of complications from kidney failure, according to Cecilia Foster, his wife of 45 years.

Foster was recognized in 2002 by the National Endowment for the Arts as a Jazz Master, the nation’s highest jazz honor . In a statement expressing sadness at Foster’s death, NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman called him “an extraordinary saxophonist, composer, arranger, bandleader, and educator.”

Landesman added, “We join many others in the jazz community and beyond in mourning his death while celebrating his life.”

According to the NEA, Foster’s many compositions included material for singers Sarah Vaughan and Frank Sinatra, and a commissioned piece written for jazz orchestra for the 1980 Winter Olympics: “Lake Placid Suite.”

Foster was a native of Cincinnati. He told NEA interviewer Don Ball in 2008 that he “had an ear for music” from an early age. He said his mother took him to hear opera when he was just 6.

Jazz big bands caught his attention when he was 12. Foster’s first instrument was clarinet, but at age 13 he took up the sax. Foster told the interviewer he played in a dance band at Wilberforce University and went on to join Basie’s band in 1953.

Continue reading at The Seattle Times.

Gail Pettis performs this weekend at Jazz In The Valley in Ellensburg.
(Photo by Daniel Sheehan)

Jazz Port Townsend is not the only major jazz festival this weekend in Washington. The 14th annual Jazz In The Valley takes place July 29-31 in Ellensburg, a two hour drive east of Seattle on I-90.

This year’ performers include Gail Pettis, Gary Hobbs Quartet, Lloyd Jones Struggle, John Gross Trio, Little Bill and the Bluenotes, McTuff, Sonando, The John Moawad’s All Star Big Band and many more.

All the shows are located in downtown Ellensburg, with a main outdoor concert stage and jazz in the surrounding clubs and galleries (think Ballard Jazz Walk).

With a festival pass only costing $35 (individual days can be bought for $10-15), Jazz In The Valley makes a great weekend event, especially if Seattle’s rainy July weather continues.

Tickets are available for purchase online through today (Tuesday, July 26) or can be bought in person at the event. Last year’s event did sell out, so we recommend buying online today if you are planning on attending.

More info: Jazz In The Valley website

from The Seattle Times:

The Monterey Jazz Festival Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, a national all-star high-school group selected by the education arm of the Monterey Jazz Festival and directed by Paul Contos, swings through Seattle this week. Often a glimpse of future stars, the band has featured pianists Benny Green and Patrice Rushen and saxophonist Joshua Redman in the past.

7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle; $19.50 (206-441-9729 or www.jazzalley.com).

JAZZ ALLEY: Monterey Jazz Festival Next Generation Jazz Orchestra
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Music Works Big Band
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 & Jaques Willis
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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7pm: Raina Rose, Carrie Elkin, and Andrew Pressman; 9pm: Terrence McManus (NYC-based jazz guitarist)
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621, 9:00pm

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

DISTRICT LOUNGE: Cassia Demayo Quintet
4507 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, 206-634-2000, 9:00pm

VITO’S: Wally Shoup Quartet
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695

COPPER GATE: Suffering F#ckheads
6301 24th Ave NW, 206-706-3292, 8:00pm

HIGHWAY 99 CLUB: Farko Collective
1414 Alaskan Way, Seattle, 8:00pm

from The Seattle TImes:

A few years ago, when West Coast composer Bill Holman met Cuban clarinetist Paquito D’Rivera for the first time, Holman had quite a shock.

“It was the funniest thing,” said the 84-year-old NEA Jazz Master in a phone interview. “When we were introduced, he said, ‘Bill Holman!’ and proceeded to sing the whole first chorus of a piece I’d written for Buddy Rich. Nothing left out, no pauses.”

D’Rivera explained to the astonished Holman that his teacher had made him learn to play — and sing — the piece. It was called “Ready Mix.”

Now the venerated arranger and composer has written a spanking new composition for D’Rivera himself, a three-part concerto for clarinet and jazz big band called “Northwest Passage.” The piece has its world premiere Saturday at Jazz Port Townsend.

The new work was commissioned by Port Townsend arts nonprofit Centrum through a grant from the NEA Jazz Masters Live program, thanks to festival program manager Gregg Miller, a clarinet player himself.

Continue reading at The Seattle TImes.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Boyd Phelps Sax Attack
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

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

AMORE: JT/TK Quartet
2301 5th Ave, 206-770-0606, 7:30pm

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

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

WHITE RABBIT: Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder
513 N 36th St Suite E, Seattle, 9:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
4pm – Easy Street Jazz Band
8pm – Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221

JAZZ ALLEY: The Steve Tyrell Band
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 Breakfasts w/guitarist Michael Gotz
6:45pm – Ledward Kaapana
4135 Providence Point Dr SE, Issaquah, 425-391-3335

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

DARRELL’S TAVERN: Kevin Mccarthy & Friends Jam Session
18041 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, 8

FAIRE GALLERY CAFE: Monktail session
1351 E Olive Way, Seattle 206-652-0781

SERAFINA: 11:00am: Pasquale Santos; 6:30pm: Anne Reynolds & Tobi Stone
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807

VITO’S LOUNGE: Ruby Bishop
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 6:00pm

PROHIBITION GRILL: Bob Strickland jam
1414 Hewitt Ave, Everett, 425-258-6100, 5:00pm

from The Bay Citizen:

This April, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences announced the elimination of 31 Grammy Awards categories to widespread outcry. Locally, the disappearance of one class of category in particular —awards for Latin Jazz — has continued to draw ire from musicians.

But petitions can only go so far. Pianist Mark Levine, the recipient of a 2003 Grammy nomination in the Latin Jazz category, decided this spring to resign his membership. After being informed via a letter that he was, in fact, a lifetime member, Levine has decided to take his protest a step further.

This past week, he returned the plaque he was awarded for the 2003 nomination for his Latin Tinge album “Isla,” and 2010 Latin Grammy nomination parchment for the Latin Tinge’s “Off & On.”

In the weeks between the initial announcement and his public repudiation of his Recording Academy honors, Levine had come to see the organization as not just ham-fisted but racially insensitive, both in NARAS’s initial category culling and its reply to critics.

Continue reading at The Bay Citizen.

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

JAZZ ALLEY: The Steve Tyrell Band
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

BAKE’S PLACE: Geoffrey Castle
4135 Providence Point Dr SE, Issaquah, 425-391-3335, 7:30pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Murl Sanders
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, 206-772-6891

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Grace Skrobisz
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

SERAFINA: Alex Guilbert Trio
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807

VINO AT THE LANDING: Brooks Giles Trio
800 N 10th Pl, Renton, 7:00pm

VITO’S: Ruby Bishop
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 8:00pm

LUCID: 9:30pm: Caffeine
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042

SORRENTO HOTEL: Karin & Emily Mcintosh
900 Madison St, 206-622-6400, 7:30pm

GRAZIE: Michael Powers Group
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm

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

JAZZ ALLEY: The Steve Tyrell Band
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

THE CHAPEL: Beth Fleenor / Bling
Good Shepherd Center (Wallingford), 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, 7:30pm

BAKE’S PLACE: The Mulherkar-Clausen Quintet
4135 Providence Point Dr SE, Issaquah, 425-391-3335, 7:30pm

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

LUCID: From Los Angeles: guitarist Jon Bremen and saxophonist Ariel Alexander with Paul Gabrielson & Matt Jorgensen
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

HIROSHI’S: Jay Thomas Quartet
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966

SCOTCH AND VINE: Jose ‘Juicy’ Gonzales Trio
22341 Marine View Dr S, Des Moines, 7:00pm

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

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Greta Matassa & Darin Clendenin
1520 NE 177th, Shoreline, (206) 365-4447, 8:00pm

SERAFINA: John Sanders’ Gypsy Reeds
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807

SORRENTO HOTEL: Nikki Decaires
900 Madison St, 206-622-6400, 7:30pm

GRAZIE: Michael Powers Group
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm