The Steve Griggs Ensemble will perform 10 free events at branches of the Seattle Public Library beginning on Sunday, August 3. This residency is supported by the library and Chamber Music America Residency Partnership Program. Titled Songs of Unsung Seattle, the original narration and music programs will include Panama Hotel Jazz about Japanese American endurance of injustice during WWII and Cup of Joe Brazil about jazz saxophonist Joe Brazil’s community development through music in the face of civil rights injustice during the 1960’s and 1970’s. The residency will explore connections between Seattle history, original music, and the library’s collection.
Go to www.spl.org/jazz for complete schedule information.
The ensemble includes saxophonist Griggs, trumpeter Jay Thomas, vibraphonist Susan Pascal, guitarist Milo Petersen, and bassist Phil Sparks.
Panama Hotel Jazz was created through a 4Culture Historic Site Specific Grant and won an Adventurous Programming Award from ASCAP and Chamber Music America. Cup of Joe Brazil is based on biographical research into Brazil’s life supported by a 4Culture Individual Artist Project and the Jack Straw Foundation Artist Support Program.
UP-COMING PERFORMANCES:
Aug 17 @ 2:00pm: International District Branch (713 Eighth Ave. S.)
Aug 24 @ 2:00pm: Queen Anne Branch (400 W. Garfield St.)
Sep 7 @ 2:00pm: University Branch (5009 Roosevelt Way N.E.)
Sep 14 @ 2:00pm: Greenlake Branch (7364 E. Green Lake Dr. N.)
Sep 21 @ 2:00pm: West Seattle Branch (2306 42nd Ave. S.W.)
Sep 28 @ 2:00pm: Columbia Branch (4721 Rainier Ave. S.)
Oct 19 @ 2:00pm: Douglass-Truth Branch (2300 E. Yesler Way)
Dec 8 @ 6:00pm: Ballard Branch (5614 22nd Ave. N.W)