Seattle Jazz Scene

Starting with a trickle of albums years ago, there’s now a constant stream of excellent CDs by NW Jazz artists each year.

We’ll feature some of the best from 2011 on Jazz Northwest this Sunday at 1:00 PM on 88.5 KPLU.

JIM WILKE’S TOP NORTHWEST JAZZ CDs OF 2011
For Pacific Northwest jazz fans in particular, here are some of the exceptional releases from artists living in Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver.

Chuck Deardorf, Transparence (Origin)
Thomas Marriott, Human Spirit (Origin)
Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto, Current (Adventure Music)
Bill Anschell, Figments (Origin)
Elspeth Savani, Flights of Mind (Elspeth Savani)
Cory Weeds, Just Like That (Cellar Live)
Wellstone Conspiracy, Humble Origins (Origin)
Milt Kleeb Dectet, Something If Nothing Else (Pony Boy)

NEW ORLEANS: Chad McCullough
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 8:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
9pm – Human Spirit with Thomas Marriott (trumpet), Mark Taylor (sax), Gary Fukushima (piano), Mark Hunter (bass) & Matt Jorgensen (drums)
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Bill Anschell 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

HIROSHI’S: Woitach / Graye Quartet
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966

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

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Trish Hatley w/ Hans Brehmer
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, (206) 772-6891

BOXLEY’S: Bryant Urban’s Blue Oasis
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

LUCID: Ayron Jones & The Way
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

SCOTCH AND VINE: Al Miller
22341 Marine View Dr S, Des Moines, 7:00pm

Human Spirit will be joined by former Seattle pianist, and now-LA resident, Gary Fukushima and bassist Mark Hunter for their performance this Friday at Egan’s Ballard Jam house.

The band will perform one set starting at 9:00pm. Tickets are $10.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30
EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE
1707 NW Market Street
Seattle, WA 98107
9:00pm
Reservations: 206-789-1621

Thomas Marriott – trumpet
Mark Taylor – saxophones
Gary Fukushima – piano
Mark Hunter – bass
Matt Jorgensen – drums

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

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Leah Natale / Jacqueline Tabor Group
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

THE ROYAL ROOM: Varmint
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 9:00pm

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Kareem Kandi
216 Union Street, Seattle, 206-838-4333, 9:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm: Ben Scholz Trio with Milo Petersen (guitar), Chuck Kistler (upright bass) and Ben Scholz (drums)
9pm: Spencer with Andrew Morrill (alto sax), Spencer Leroux (tenor sax), Max Williams (guitar), Luke Bergman (bass) and Evan Woodle (drums)
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

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

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

BOXLEY’S: Leah Stillwell Duo
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

AMORE: Danny Quintero w/ Randy Halberstadt
522 Wall St, Seattle, 206-770-0606, 8:00pm

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

VITO’S: Lamar Lofton
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695

The commercial auctioneers at James G. Murphy Co. will be auctioning off Thaiku and Fu Kun Wu’s interior, creating a unique opportunity for people to take home a piece of the beloved Thai restaurant and bar. The auction will be held on Thursday, December 29 at 10:00am, with a preview from 8-10am, at Thaiku’s current location at 5410 Ballard Avenue NW.

On the auction block is a huge assortment of antique Asian decor, as well as kitchen appliances, dining tables and chairs, bar stools and other furnishings. A preview of the items can be found here: http://murphyauction.com/Auction/Details/339.

from Bill Anschell:

I’m happy to announce that this Friday, my trio will celebrate the close of yet another joyous holiday season by NOT PLAYING the Charlie Brown Christmas Song!

How many times do you think you heard it this year? How many times do you think I played it? Well, I can tell you: 17 1/2. The half happened when I reached the middle last Friday at exactly 12:10 pm, which happens to be break time on my solo gig. I jumped off the bench, grabbed my coffee, and left a few toddlers crying. What a shame, because I was, frankly, playing the snot out of it, transcending both the song itself and my own blunt musicianship. Which is why I can’t wait to play it 17.5 times again next year, starting right where I left off on the day after Thanksgiving. I’ll be sure to invite you.

But more to the point, it’s not just the Charlie Brown Christmas Song we won’t be playing on Friday night, but every one of your holiday favorites! If you’ve got one you think I haven’t thought of, just let me know, and we won’t play it either. Instead, it will be my usual Grinchish mix of original compositions and derangements of jazz standards.

So what makes this Friday night special? On the night before New Years Eve, live music venues are usually about as popular as Ross Dress For Less Holiday Fruitcake, which is to say maybe not so much. And what’s so great about that? I’ll tell you: You could wind up with a semi-private recital; you might even get the coveted seat inches from my left hand. Just be sure not to lean forward if I start to play some stride, because my insurance doesn’t cover personal injury.

What else? 7:30 – 11:30, $15, reservations suggested but certainly not required; all relevant info at www.tulas.com.

Hope to see you there.

Best,
Bill

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

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Mack Waldron’s 70th Birthday Party … music by Greta Matassa and Kelley Johnson
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

THE ROYAL ROOM:
7:00pm: Andy Clausen’s Wishbone Project
7:45pm: The McKarrtet
8:30pm: Andrew D’Angelo and AGOGIC
5000 Rainier Avenue South

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

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm: Vocal Showcase featuring Ala Carte and Alison Pollowitz
9pm: Vocal Jam hosted by Katie King
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

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

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

418 PUBLIC HOUSE: Claudio Rochat-felix, Ryan Burns, Ian Sheridan
418 NW 65th St, 9:00pm

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

via Jazz Times:

Sam Rivers, the multi-instrumentalist and bandleader who helped to define free jazz but whose compositions also embraced form and melody, died Dec. 26 in Orlando, Fla. He was 88. The cause of death, as reported by the Orlando Sentinel, was pneumonia.

Born in Oklahoma in 1923, Rivers, like so many other future jazz musicians, was raised on the music of the church, and his father was a gospel singer with the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Rivers’ mother taught music, and Rivers learned to play violin and piano as a child. The family lived in Chicago and Little Rock, but in 1947, Rivers, who ultimately played tenor and soprano saxophones (his primary instruments), flute, bass clarinet, piano and harmonica, moved to Boston, where he studied at the Boston Conservatory of Music and Boston University.

Early in his career, in the 1950s, Rivers played in trumpeter Herb Pomeroy’s band, alongside Quincy Jones and Jaki Byard. Rivers began to lead his own bands in the late ’50s, one of which included the teenaged drummer Tony Williams. Although he came up on bebop, Rivers took to jazz’s burgeoning avant-garde, aligning himself with the Jazz Composers’ Guild, along with such leading free-jazz figures as Cecil Taylor and Archie Shepp.

Continue reading at Jazz Times.

JAZZ ALLEY: Sara Gazarek
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

THE ROYAL ROOM:
7:00pm – Clausen/Mulherkar Duo
7:45pm – The Westerlies featuring Andy Clausen (Trombone) Willem DeKoch (Trombone) Zubin Hensler (Trumpet) Riley Mulherkar (Trumpet)
8:00pm – Roxy Coss and Friends
9:15pm – Zubin Hensler/Andrew Mulherkar
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 9:00pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Take Flight
9pm – Tasty Trio, with Max Williams (guitar), Mat Muntz (bass), Max Holmberg (drums)

VITO’S: Wally Shoup Trio
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

Mack Waldron, owner of Tula’s Jazz Club, will be celebrating his 70th birthday this Wednesday, December 28, with a night of music at his club.

Music will be lead by vocalist Greta Matassa and Kelley Johnson, but you can plan on it evolving into a all-start jam session.

There is no cover for working jazz musicians, $10 for everyone else, and there will be a buffet.

See you at Tula’s this Wednesday!

TOWN HALL SEATTLE: Duke Ellington Sacred Concert
1119 8th Ave, Seattle, 7:30pm
Tickets are still available for tonight’s show. Box office opens at 6:30 pm.

JAZZ ALLEY: Sara Gazarek
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

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

PARATII: Paratii session w/ Jeff Busch
5463 Leary Ave NW, 206-420-7406, 8:00pm

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

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

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

BOXLEY’S: Carolyn Graye Singer’s Soiree
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

from vocalist Valerie Joyce:

from The Seattle Times:

Sara Gazarek, a keenly swinging, emotive vocalist who attended Seattle’s Roosevelt High School and now teaches jazz at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, is home for Christmas. The spirited singer recently signed a recording contract with the highly respected Palmetto label (Fred Hersch, Ben Allison, Kate McGarry) and just recorded a new album produced by keyboard man Larry Goldings. The disc is due next year, but you can hear Gazarek with Roosevelt homey Sean Hutchinson (drums), John Hansen (piano) and David Dawda (bass) at 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle; $20.50 (206-441-9729 or www.jazzalley.com).

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

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

JAZZ ALLEY: Tingstad and Rumbel
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

HIROSHI’S: Chuck Kistler Quartet
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966

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

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

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Rick Leppanen & Susan Pascal
1520 NE 177th, Shoreline, (206) 365-4447, 8:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Cherlyn Johnson & Heartdance Christmas Special
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

VITO’S: Lushy
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Eric Patterson/Gary Fukishima Quartet with Eric Patterson (alto sax), Gary Fukushima (keys), Eric Eagle (drums) and Geoff Harper (bass)
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

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

LUCID: Lisa Markley & Bruce Balmer
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

SCOTCH AND VINE: Jose “juicy” Gonzales Trio
22341 Marine View Dr S, Des Moines, 7:00pm

SEAMONSTER: Shawn Mickelson Quintet
2202 N 45th St, 206-992-1120, 10:00pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: David Friesen Christmas Project
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

THE ROYAL ROOM: Dawn Clement and Varmit
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 9:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
9pm – Cameron Vohr and Eric Hansen
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

JAZZ ALLEY: Tingstad and Rumbel
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

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

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

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

BOXLEY’S: Reuel Lubag Duo
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

AMORE: Danny Quintero w/ Randy Halberstadt
522 Wall St, Seattle, 206-770-0606, 8:00pm

VITO’S: Tango Ahora
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695

‘Tis the season for jazz clubs opening, closing and moving! And we have another move to report.

Bake’s Place owners Craig and Laura Baker have announced that they are moving their location to Downtown Bellevue.

From the Bake’s Place website:

We are proud to announce that Bake’s Place will be moving to downtown Bellevue in early spring 2012! After successfully presenting live music for 12 years, we are deeply aware of the vast wealth of musical talent in our region. Simply put; we want to present more of these artists. For some time now, we’ve been looking for an opportunity to broaden the scope of what we do. Finally, that opportunity has presented itself.

We believe that music is magic, and our vision has always been to create a true listening environment, where our guests can unwind from the busyness of the modern world and enjoy the space between the notes. Although our location is changing, our vision remains the same. As is our tradition, we will continue to offer world-class music, outstanding cuisine and friendly service in a uniquely intimate setting. We are deeply grateful for your friendship and patronage and are very excited to share the next leg of the adventure with you.

JAZZ ALLEY: David Lanz Annual Winter Solstice & CD release Concert
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Kelley Johnson Vocal Showcase
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

THE ROYAL ROOM: Skerik’s Bandalabra
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 9:00pm

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: Randy Halberstadt
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Steve Messick Quartet
9pm – Freethiopiques, with Jessica Lurie and Joe Doria
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

LUCID: Michelle Searle & Josh Rawlings
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

VITO’S: The Leeni & Love Show
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 7:00pm

418 PUBLIC HOUSE: Claudio Rochat-felix, Ryan Burns, Ian Sheridan
418 NW 65th St, 9:00pm

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

JAZZ ALLEY: David Lanz Annual Winter Solstice & CD release Concert
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

THE ROYAL ROOM: Skerik’s Bandalabra
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 9:00pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – McKarrtet
9pm – USCeattle
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

from The Seattle Times:

Calling out around the world — are you ready for a brand new “Unsilent Night”?

If so, you’ll have your chance in Seattle on Wednesday, the night of the winter solstice, when local experimental-music lovers can take part in a free “worldwide annual communal event” dreamed up by New York composer Phil Kline in 1992.

Here’s how it works: First, go to www.unsilentnight.com to download the music of the evening (think: shimmery tintinnabulations). Once you have it on your boombox, MP3 player, iPhone or other sound-making device, go to the Chapel Performance Space at the Good Shepherd Center (4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., fourth floor, Seattle) at 6:30 p.m.

At 7 p.m., participants will stroll through the streets of Wallingford for 45 minutes, surrounded by “a cloud of sound” that will vary according to your place in the procession. Local composer Tom Baker, the moving force behind the Seattle incarnation of “Unsilent Night,” says anyone can join at any time. If you don’t want to provide sound, you can always serve as a “human resonator.”

The performance is followed at 8 p.m. with a “new-music-office-holiday-party,” hosted by the Seattle Composers’ Salon, geared to artists who don’t have an office holiday party of their own to attend.

If you have a boombox to lend or need more information, contact [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]. Seattle is just one of 25 cities taking part in this event. To see who else is participating, go to www.unsilentnight.com, where you can also sample the music and look at video of “Unsilent Nights” of yesteryear.