photos by Jim Levitt
The Thomas Marriott Quintet performing at Jazz Alley on Tuesday night, May 19, 2015. They’re there again tonight (Wednesday). Check it out!
Thomas Marriott, trumpet; Mark Taylor, saxophone; Dawn Clement, piano; Phil Sparks, bass; and Matt Jorgensen on drums.
Saxophonist Santosh Sharma, a junior in the powerhouse Roosevelt High School jazz program, led a qu
artet at Tula’s, opening for the Spike Wilner Trio. Santosh was selected for the 2015 Grammy Jazz Band. Joining him on guitar was Lucas Winter, a Roosevelt graduate now studying at Cornish. Drummer Luke Woodle, a Roosevelt senior, will be studying at USC in the fall. Bassist Michael Glynn rounded out the band.
Trumpeter Thomas Marriott is headlining at Jazz Alley this week. His quintet features Mark Taylor (saxophone), Dawn Clement (piano), Phil Sparks (bass) and Matt Jorgensen (drums).
The group is a last-minute replacement for trumpeter Wallace Roney who had to cancel. The show is only $10 so get on down to Jazz Alley and show your support for the Seattle jazz scene!
TUESDAY – WEDNESDAY, MAY 19-20
THOMAS MARRIOTT QUINTET
JAZZ ALLEY
2033 6th Avenue
Seattle WA 98121
Reservations: (206) 441-9729
JAZZ ALLEY: Najee
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
3:00pm: Fairly Honest Jazz Band
7:30pm: Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 8:00pm
CAFE RACER: Morgan Henderson
5828 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, 8:00pm
DARRELL’S TAVERN: Kevin Mccarthy & Friends Jam Session
18041 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, 8:00pm
SERAFINA: 11am: Pasquale Santos; 6:30pm: Lennon Aldort
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807
VITO’S LOUNGE: 6pm: Ruby Bishop; 9:30pm: Ron Weinstein Trio
927 9th Ave, Seattle
BOXLEY’S: Danny Kolke Trio
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 6:00pm
From KPLU’s Studio Sessions:
from The Seattle TImes:
For the second year in a row, the top three slots at the Essentially Ellington competition in New York have eluded three Seattle-area high-school jazz bands. The three-day event ended Saturday.
Seattle’s Garfield and Roosevelt high schools and Snoqualmie’s Mount Si High School were three of the 15 schools that competed. The same three schools were also finalists in 2014.
The first-place winner this year did come from the Northwest — the American Music Program, in Portland. Second place went to the Tucson Jazz Institute, of Tucson, Ariz., (which won in 2014), third place to Lexington High School, from Lexington, Mass. Dillard Center for the Arts, from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., received an honorable mention.
Continue reading at The Seattle TImes.
Tonight … The Ballard Jazz Walk! Check out details here.
everything else …
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jovino Santos Neto Quarteto
2214 Second Avenue, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm
JAZZ ALLEY: Ramsey Lewis Quartet
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm
LATONA PUB: Phil Sparks Trio
6423 Latona Avenue NE, 5:00 – 7:00pm, No Cover, 21+
BOXLEY’S: Jon Pugh Trio
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm
NORTH CITY BISTRO: Alma y Azucar
1520 NE 177th St, Shoreline, 206-365-4447, 8:00pm
SERAFINA: Tim Kennedy Duo
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807, 9:00pm
DUOS LOUNGE: Jeff Ferguson’s Triangular Jazztet
2940 SW Avalon Way, 206-452-2452, 7:30pm
GRAZIE: Edward Paul Trio
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm
VITO’S: Casey MacGill
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 8:00pm
SHUGA JAZZ BISTRO: Debbie Duncan, Eric Verlinde and Cliff Colon
317 Main Avenue South, Renton, 8:30pm
The Ballard Jazz Festival:
GUITAR SUMMIT
8:00pm: Jerry Hahn
9:00pm: Peter Bernstein
10:00pm: John Stowell
CONOR BYRNE PUB
5140 Ballard Avenue NW (PLEASE NOTE: THIS SHOW IS 21+)
Showtime: 8:00pm
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Sarah Partridge Quartet
2214 Second Avenue, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm
JAZZ ALLEY: Ramsey Lewis Quartet
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm
BARCA: Adam Kessler/Phil Sparks Trio
1510 11th Avenue, Seattle, (206) 325-8263, 9:00pm
BOXLEY’S: Darin Clendenin
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm
VITO’S: 5:30pm: Casey MacGill; 9:00pm: Rik Wright
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695
BLUE MOON: Blue Moon session w/ Dave Abramson
712 NE 45th St, 206-675-9116, 4:30pm
PINK DOOR: Greg Ruby Trio
1919 Post Alley, Seattle, 206-443-3241, 8:00pm
SHUGA JAZZ BISTRO: Chris James Quartet
317 Main Avenue South, Renton, 7:30pm
EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Jacob Zimmerman Quintet
1707 NW Market Street
The Ballard Jazz Festival starts tonight
BROTHERHOOD OF THE DRUM
8:00pm: Julian MacDonough
9:00pm: Gene Coye
10:00pm: Michael Shrieve
CONOR BYRNE PUB
5140 Ballard Avenue NW (PLEASE NOTE: THIS SHOW IS 21+)
Showtime: 8:00pm
JAZZ ALLEY: Eric Bibb with Michael Jerome Browne
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Kareem Kandi Band
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm
THE ROYAL ROOM: The Minor 9/ Chaotic Noise Marching Corps/ Sazerac Orkestra
5000 Rainier Ave South, Seattle, (206) 906-9920, 8:00pm
EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Dina Blade Student Showcase
9pm – Elizabeth Perera (vocals), with Eric Verlinde (piano) and Geoff Harper (bass)
1707 NW Market Street, Seattle, (206) 789-1621
BOXLEY’S: Mount Si Jazz 2
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm
THE PINK DOOR: Casey MacGill Trio
1919 Post Alley, Seattle, 8:00pm
BAKE’S PLACE: Gotz/Lowe Duo
155 108th Ave NE, Bellevue, 425.454.2776, 6:00pm
VITO’S: Brad Gibson Trio
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 8:00pm
May 6-9
Various venues
View Ballard Jazz Festival Website | Buy Tickets
Thirteen is a lucky number for local jazz fans: The 13th annual Ballard Jazz Festival is just around the corner. Hitting on multiple stages from May 6-9, Seattle’s uniquely homegrown jazz fest has developed into an eagerly anticipated annual event that hasn’t lost touch with the intimate and collaborative atmosphere that made it special in the first place. Since its early days as the Ballard Jazz Walk, the reputation and reach of the festival have grown while the vibe has remained welcoming and accessible.
“I want to make sure it’s a local festival, so it sounds like Seattle,” says festival organizer and Seattle jazz impresario John Bishop. “It will be a celebration of that.”
Rather than putting the focus solely on individual marquee gigs, Bishop’s approach is to bring in carefully selected out-of-town talent and pair them up with local musicians for a variety of performances. This gives everyone a chance to mix and mingle, to have a good time over a period of a few days. As Bishop says, invoking a sage perception of what makes a jazz scene vital, “It’s about the hang.”
I want to make sure it’s a local festival, so it sounds like Seattle
– JOHN BISHOPAnother key piece of Bishop’s goal is to present the full range of jazz-related activity in town, mixing old and new, traditional and cutting-edge. To achieve your balanced jazz diet, for example, you could sample some renegade experimentalism at the Table & Chairs showcase and then drop in for classic jazz trio sounds from legendary pianist Overton Berry – “Two massively different experiences within a half block of each other,” says Bishop.
Bishop has also wisely retained festival elements that have proven popular over the years, including the opening night’s Brotherhood of the Drum and night two’s Guitar Summit concerts (both at Conor Byrne Pub), as well as the Ballard Jazz Walk, where you can take in 17 artists in eight venues for the price of a single ticket.
Every minute of the Ballard Jazz Festival is packed with great music, so selecting highlights can be an exercise in frustration. Just a few to consider: Brotherhood of the Drum will no doubt be special, as this year’s edition features Michael Shrieve, Gene Coye, and Julian MacDonough each leading their own bands. Shrieve is well-known to audiences locally and around the world as the original drummer for Santana. He has a staggering resume, which includes a wide range of music in many genres from rock and jazz to electronic and global experimentalism. Coincidentally, one of Los Angeles-based Gene Coye’s first gigs after high school was also with Santana, and he has since toured with guitarists Larry Carlton and Robben Ford. Julian MacDonough is a fixture on the West Coast scene, well-known for his work with saxophonist Mike Allen’s quartet and pianist Aaron Parks.
This is an especially notable year for guitar fans, with three legendary axe men taking the stage at the Guitar Summit. Peter Bernstein is internationally acclaimed for his mastery and taste as a thoughtful straight-ahead maestro. The NYC stalwart has toured with Diana Krall and Joshua Redman, and the legendary icon Jim Hall sang his praises. John Stowell is also revered as a guitarist’s guitarist, an original voice with a uniquely cliché-free take on the jazz tradition, informed by a modern harmonic sense. Jerry Hahn was one of the first to occupy the guitar chair in Gary Burton’s pivotal groups starting at the close of the 60s, and was a key figure in laying the groundwork and establishing a musical vocabulary for later eclectic innovators such as Pat Metheny.
This is only scratching the surface: Other appearances include bassist David Friesen, saxophonists Eric Alexander and Lucas Pino, plus a cross-section of supremely talented local luminaries that will make you glad to call the Pacific Northwest home. Don’t miss it!
Tickets and information available at ballardjazzfestival.com.
–Andrew Luthringer
Wednesday, May 6
Conor Byrne Pub, 5140 Ballard Avenue NW
Brotherhood of the Drum, 8pm
Michael Shrieve, Gene Coye, and Julian MacDonough
Tickets $15 / $13 advance. Ages 21+.
Thursday, May 7
Conor Byrne Pub, 5140 Ballard Avenue NW
Guitar Summit, 8pm
Peter Bernstein, John Stowell, and Jerry Hahn
Tickets $15 / $13 advance. Ages 21+.
Friday, May 8
Various venues, downtown Ballard
Ballard Jazz Walk, 6:30pm
17 groups in eight venues for a single ticket price
Jazz Walk Only, $30 / $26 advance. Tickets available day-of at New York Fashion Academy, 5201 Ballard Ave NW. Most venues all ages, with some 21+.
Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 NW 67th St
Friday Night Concert, 7:30pm
The Peter Bernstein Trio and David Friesen Circle 3 Trio
Friday Night Concert + Jazz Walk, $30 / $26 advance. All ages.
Saturday, May 9
Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 NW 67th St
Swedish Pancake Jazz Brunch, 11am & 12:30pm
Thomas Marriott Quartet
Tickets $15 non-museum members, $12 museum members, $40 families of four. All ages.
Mainstage Concert, 7:30pm
Eric Alexander w/ the Peter Bernstein Trio
Lucas Pino No Net Nonet
Tickets $35 general, $55 reserved, $18 students. All ages.
Monday, May 4
Tim Berne’s Snakeoil
The Royal Room
5000 Rainier Ave S (Columbia City)
Tickets available at strangertickets.com
$18 general, $16 Earshot members & seniors, $9 students & veterans
Tim Berne’s third ECM album, You’ve Been Watching Me, sees the saxophonist-composer again leading his dynamic New York band Snakeoil, now a quintet with the arrival of guitarist Ryan Ferreira. Just as Berne has hit a new peak with his writing on You’ve Been Watching Me, his band has reached a heightened state of collective interaction, realizing the compositions to a tee. Snakeoil – with the leader on alto sax alongside pianist Matt Mitchell, clarinetist Oscar Noriega, percussionist Ches Smith, and Ferreira on electric and acoustic guitars – can still be bracingly kinetic. But there is new space in these compositions and more lyrical focus to the improvisations, leading to a dynamic, even cinematic experience.
ROYAL ROOM: Tim Berne’s Snakeoil
The Royal Room, 5000 Rainier Ave S, 206-906-9920, 8:00pm
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: D’Vonne Lewis & Limited Edition with Delvon Lamar and Skerik
2214 Second Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm
BOXLEY’S: Green River Vocal Jazz
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm
BLUE MOON: Andy Coe Band
712 NE 45th St, Seattle, 206-675-9116, 10:00pm
SEAMONSTER LOUNGE: T8P
2202 N 45th St, 206-992-1120, 8:00pm
NECTAR: Mo’ Jam Mondays w/ Morgan Gilkeson
412 N. 36th St., Seattle, 206.632.2020, 9:00pm
CAPITOL CIDER: Entre Mundos jam w/ Ernesto Pediangco
818 E Pike St, 9:00pm
Photos by Jim Levitt
The Spike Wilner Trio performs at Tula’s Jazz Club in Seattle. Pianist Spike Wilner runs two New York jazz clubs, Small’s and Mezzrow.Spike Wilner, piano;Michael Glynn, bass;Matt Jorgensen, drums (and Thomas Marriott, trumpet, joins at the end of the set)
from Bill Anschell:
Tonight will be a special evening at Tula’s. The club’s owner, Mack Waldron, is receiving a “Jazz Hero” award from the Jazz Journalists Association; he’s one of two dozen jazz advocates around the country chosen for the honor.
At the bottom of this email, you can read Mack’s bio, put together by KPLU host (and JJA board member) Robin Lloyd. What isn’t mentioned, and is unknown to many people, is that Mack kept Tula’s open when it wasn’t in his financial interest to do so; he knew the club’s importance to the local jazz community and didn’t want to let down the musicians who play there.
He’s also probably the only jazz club owner in the country who tunes his own piano, almost daily, and very well. It’s always a treat to play there, and the jazz scene wouldn’t be nearly the same without it. I’m honored that Mack chose my trio to help celebrate his well-deserved award.
At 6:30 the award presentation will take place, then at 7:30 my trio will hit the stage. It’s my Standards Trio, with bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer D’Vonne Lewis. None of the music is pre-arranged, and Jeff and D’Vonne always manage to surprise me (which is what spontaneous arrangements are all about).
The goods:
Thursday, April 30th, Tula’s (www.tulas.com), $10 cover.
I’m guessing it will be a full house, so reservations are a good idea; while you’re at it you can pick your own seat. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the city’s best players stop by and sit in. Highly recommended.
–Bill
Elliott “Mack” Waldron is the proprietor of Tula’s Restaurant and Jazz Club in Seattle, which for two decades has featured local and regional jazz musicians seven nights a week, filling an important cultural niche here. Seattle is just lucky enough to be Waldron’s wife’s hometown.
To explain: Mack began his personal association with jazz in his youth. He played in his high-school jazz band in Kilgore, Texas (in the northeastern part of the state), and continued when he attended Kilgore Junior College. He enlisted in the Navy, joined the band and eventually becoming a bandleader – making that his career for 26 years. He was stationed at Sand Point Naval Base on Lake Washington when he retired, and he and his wife Tula (yes, the club is named for her: it’s a diminutive of Demetra) decided to stay.
At first, Mack worked booking musical acts, but then he decided to plunge into the business directly. “It had always been my dream to own a jazz club,” he’s said.
Mack knows his jazz. In the service he’d been considered a players’ bandleader, and today he’s considered a players’ club owner. He books the bands, treats the musicians well and in turn is well respected by the musicians he hires. “We have a mutual admiration,” he says. “I admire them for their musicianship, and I think they do appreciate me for providing a venue for them to perform.” He acknowledges difficulties in keeping Tula’s open for the past 21 years, but has always accepted them as a personal challenge. He’s quick to credit the support of his family and abundance of highly talented players in the region for the club’s success.
Wynton Marsalis has ranked Tula’s among his top 10 clubs in the nation for USA Today, saying “This is a cool place.” Tula’s has been featured in DownBeat’s guide to the world’s “150 Great Jazz Rooms,” too. Mack has been honored with Seattle’s Earshot Jazz Golden Ear Award for providing a key showcase for our local musicians.
And he’s trying to make sure there are more of them to come. In support of music education, Mack invites high-school bandleaders to bring their bands to the club. “Seattle has a wealth of good high-school band directors and music teachers,” he believes. “The parents are also very supportive of music education. We have a wonderful education system here. It’s very exciting to participate and I feel like I’m contributing something to further young musicians in the Seattle area.” Which makes Mack Waldron a Jazz Hero for everyone in hailing distance, and even further.
– Robin Lloyd
JJA Board Member
(from Earshot Jazz profiles written by Jason West, 1999 and Gregory Brusstar, 2012)
Photo: Daniel Sheehan
Pianist George Colligan will be performing Friday night (May 1) at Tula’s Jazz Club in a bit of a different role … as the drummer in his new project Theoretical Planets. The show is a CD Release for their new recording, Risky Business (Origin Records).
Check out the video here from the recording session.
Friday, May 1st, 7:30pm
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB
2214 Second Ave, Seattle
Reservations: 206-443-4221
George Colligan – drums
Nicole Glover – tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone
Joe Manis – tenor saxophone, alto saxophone
Jon Lakey – bass
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jazz Journalists Awards Celebrations (6:30pm); Bill Anschell Trio
2214 Second Avenue, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm
JAZZ ALLEY: Al Di Meola Elegant Gypsy & More Electric Tour
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm
BARCA: Adam Kessler/Phil Sparks Trio
1510 11th Avenue, Seattle, (206) 325-8263, 9:00pm
BOXLEY’S: Solo Piano Night
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm
VITO’S: 5:30pm: Casey MacGill; 9:00pm: Sweet Spot Combo
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695
BLUE MOON: Blue Moon session w/ Dave Abramson
712 NE 45th St, 206-675-9116, 4:30pm
PINK DOOR: Greg Ruby Trio
1919 Post Alley, Seattle, 206-443-3241, 8:00pm
SEAMONSTER LOUNGE: Trio Subtonic
2202 N 45th St, (206) 992-1120, 10:00pm
SHUGA JAZZ BISTRO: Chris James Quartet
317 Main Avenue South, Renton, 7:30pm
Jazz pianist and impresario Spike Wilner takes the stage at Tula’s Restaurant & Jazz Club tonight for one night only!
In addition to being a top-flight pianist, Wilner is owner of two New York City jazz clubs, Smalls and Mezzrow.
Joining Wilner is Michael Glynn (bass) and Matt Jorgensen(drums).
Opening the show will be a set by the fantastic young saxophonist Santosh Sharma and his trio.
TUESDAY, APRIL 28 / 7:30PM
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB
2215 2ND AVE, SEATTLE
Reservations: 206-443-4221
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Spike Wilner Trio (Santosh Sharma Trio opens)
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm
JAZZ ALLEY: The Jones Family Singers
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm
BOXLEY’S: CKMS Jazz Night
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm
ROYAL ROOM: Ancient Future
5000 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, 206-906-9920, 8:00pm
OWL ‘N THISTLE: Jam w/ Eric Verlinde
808 Post Ave, 206-621-7777, 10:00pm
SEAMONSTER LOUNGE: McTuff
2202 N 45th St, (206) 992-1120, 10:00pm
THE PINK DOOR: Casey MacGill Trio
1919 Post Alley, Seattle, 8:00pm
BAKE’S PLACE: Gotz / Lowe Duo
155 108th Ave NE, Bellevue WA 98004, 425.454.2776, 6:30pm
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Thomas Marriott Quartet
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm
JAZZ ALLEY: Sergio Mendes
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm
SERAFINA: Shawn Mickelson Duo
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807, 9:00pm
BOXLEY’S: Milo Petersen & Steve Griggs Quartet
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm
VITO’S: 6:00pm: Jerry Zimmerman; 9:00pm: Prom Queen
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695
GRAZIE: Michael Powers
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm
SUGA JAZZ BISTRO: Deems Tsutakawa
317 Main Avenue South, Renton, 8:30pm
THE ROYAL ROOM: Tim Kennedy presents: Favorites from Reggaeband & Richie Aldente, Katrina Kope with Soul Kata and friends, and the Tai Shan Band/
5000 Rainier Ave South, Seattle, 206-906-9920
EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – MaqueAttack, with Elena Maque (alto sax), Davy Nefos (drums), Joey Walbaum (keys) and Dean Schmidt (bass)
9pm – Lil’ Sara and the Nightowls
1707 NW Market Street, Seattle, (206) 789-1621
This week on Jazz Northwest we’ll sample some new and recent recordings including a new old one from 1962 being issued for the first time! Ernestine Anderson was just 34 years old and in the first bloom of her career when she sang at The Penthouse, a Pioneer Square jazz club where Jim Wilke was producing a weekly live and direct broadcast on KING-FM. The aircheck of the broadcast is the source for this new first time issue on a HighNote CD. Also this week: Barney McClure with the Central Washington University Jazz Band, Pearl Django, Tom Collier, and a preview of the Ballard Jazz Festival (May 6-9) and best bets for live jazz in the coming week. Jazz Northwest is produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88.5 KPLU and kplu.org. The program airs at 2 PM Pacific and streams at kplu.org. A podcast is available after the broadcast.