from The Seattle Times:
The Earshot Jazz Festival will be upon us shortly, but you might consider taking in the Eastside Jazz Club “Extravaganza” Saturday as an appetizer to the main course. The intrepid club presents regional jazz artists every month, striving to keep jazz alive at the other end of Highway 520, and puts its all into this annual Bellevue celebration.
Zesty Brazilian pianist and composer Jovino Santos Neto and his Quinteto headline the show. If you haven’t seen the group lately, this might be a good time, as Santos Neto has written some wonderful new material, which stirs up jazz improv with a variety of Brazilian rhythms. One of the most consistently satisfying and scintillating ensembles on the Seattle scene, the group features Ben Thomas (vibraphone), Chuck Deardorf (bass), Mark Ivester (drums) and Jeff Busch (percussion).
The program opens with vocalist Stephanie Porter, who will be accompanied by Darius “Butch” Nordal, a wonderful pianist who doesn’t get out enough these days but has a long history in the area going back to the 1960s. Porter’s group is rounded out by Dan O’Brien (bass) and Steve Yusen (drums).
During intermission, guitarist Ari Joshua will entertain guests with Delvon Lamarr on organ and the wonderfully swinging drummer Lionel Kramer, who, along with his wife, Cooksie, produces Eastside Jazz Club events.
Have fun out there!
Eastside Jazz Club Extravaganza
6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Marriott Courtyard Hotel
11010 N.E. Eighth St., Bellevue; $15-$20
(425-828-9104 or brownpapertickets).