Seattle Jazz Scene

Former Seattle bassist, and inaugural Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame inductee, Chuck Metcalf, has passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Word came via email yesterday and the tributes have started pouring in.

Jay Thomas:
He was a very important guy on the scene going back to the late 40s and 50’s… and during the 60’s he was Mr. Jazz in Seattle along with Bob Winn, Floyd Standifer, Jerry Gray and Dave Coleman. And of course Dave Tuttle and Bill Richardson.

… The first time I heard Dexter [Gordan] was way back in the early 60’s and Chuck backed him at the Penthouse. Dexter played with a huge sound and when he played the End of a Love Affair on the bottom of his horn Chuck complained to me he had a hard time hearing his bass! Later in Chucks career Chuck was a member of Dex’s band … Chuck was soooo hip…what a loss.

John Gilbreath:
Chuck provided some valuable and painful lessons to me in my early days at Earshot Jazz. He mentored a lot of us, in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. I remain grateful to him.

I play my copy of “Help is Coming” pretty regularly on KBCS. I love the deep, woody tone, and the driving presence of his work. I’ll hit it hard tomorrow.

Matt Jorgensen:
I remember getting a call from Chuck for a Sunday night gig at The New Orleans. I was 20 years old and home for the Summer after my first year of school in New York and it was a big deal for me. It was my first gig with Chuck and my first gig at The New Orleans. It is one of those gigs I’ll always remember.

Feel free to leave your memories here.

JAZZ ALLEY: Arturo Sandoval
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

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

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
9pm – Tracy Spring and Jeff Knoch
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: Dave Peterson 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: Michel Navedo + Jimmie Herrod
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695

JAZZ ALLEY: Grafitti with Special Guests Dennis Chambers and Gary Grainger
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Scenes with John Stowell, Jeff Johnson and John Bishop
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

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

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Vocal Showcase featuring Bradley Leavens, Lisa Petion, and Elise Kloter – hosted by Julie Olson, with Darin Clendenin (piano), Dan O’Brien (bass), and Robert Rushing (drums)
9pm – Vocal Jam hosted by Julie Olson with Darin Clendenin (piano), Dan O’Brien (bass) and Robert Rushing (drums)
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

LUCID: Caffeine
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

JAZZ ALLEY: Grafitti with Special Guests Dennis Chambers and Gary Grainger
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Emerald City Jazz Orchestra
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Red Trio with Zach Para (drums), Luke Marantz (piano) and Ehud Ettun (bass)
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

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

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Marc Seales, Jeff Johnson, Warren Rand & Todd Strait
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Pearl Django with Special Guest Martin Taylor
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Greg Ruby w/ Neil Anderson
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, 206-772-6891

BOXLEY’S: Aria Prame Quintet
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Andrew Norsworthy and Robert Deeble
9pm – Rochelle House with Evan Flory-Barnes
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

SERAFINA: Leo Raymundo Trio, ft Sue Nixon
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807

SCOTCH AND VINE: Brian Lee Trio
22341 Marine View Dr S, Des Moines, 7:00pm

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

LUCID: Zizzy Zi Zixxy
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

from The Seattle Times:

Trombonist Dave Tuttle, a first-call player on Seattle’s jazz scene who performed with Benny Goodman at Carnegie Hall, died Dec. 20, 2011. The cause was emphysema. He was 85.

Born in Seattle, Mr. Tuttle attended Roosevelt High School and Cornish College before becoming a professional musician. He started in vaudeville at the Pantages Theatre, where he taught a young, unknown tap dancer named Sammy Davis Jr. to play the conga drum. Mr. Tuttle later played with band leader Norm Hoagy, the Cascade Symphony and in the pit band for hundreds of shows in Seattle theaters.

Goodman invited Mr. Tuttle to go to Russia, but the trombonist turned him down because he had just started to raise a family, said Mr. Tuttle’s widow, Olga. The Tuttles were married nearly 65 years.

Besides his wife, Mr. Tuttle is survived by his brother, E. Clark Tuttle; four children — Victor, Marty, Julia Rouse and Melanie Hingson; and 15 grand- and great-grandchildren.

Mr. Tuttle’s life will be celebrated 3-5 p.m. Jan. 15, at Edmonds Conference Center, 201 Fourth Ave. N., Edmonds. Remembrances may be made to the Carol Rowe Food Bank of Edmonds or a favorite charity.

Another jazz memorial

A memorial has been announced for Seattle jazz pianist Paul West, whose obituary ran in The Seattle Times on Dec. 15. The memorial is on the same day — but at a different time — as the service for Mr. Tuttle. Mr. West’s memorial will be from 5-7 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St., Seattle, just east of the University of Washington.

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

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jay Thomas Hard Bop Quartet
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Pearl Django with Special Guest Martin Taylor
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

THE ROYAL ROOM: The Mulherkar Brothers Quintet
5000 Rainier Ave South, Seattle, 9:30pm

HIROSHI’S: Jazz and Sushi
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966

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

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Butch Harrison
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, (206) 772-6891

BOXLEY’S: Dan O’brien Trio
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Evan Shay Group, with Evan Shay (saxes), Corey Dansereau (trumpet), Paul Gabrielson (bass), Devon Yesberger (piano) and Max Holmberg (drums) ($10 cover/$5 students)
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

GRAZIE: Quiet Fire
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm

LUCID: 6:30pm: Alika Lyman Group; 9:30pm: A Night with Kassa Overall & Friends
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

JAZZ ALLEY: Pearl Django with Special Guest Martin Taylor
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Hardcoretet & Gravity
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
9pm – Diatribe Quintet, with Xavier Del Castillo (tenor sax), Corey Dansereau (trumpet), Julian Garvue (piano), Mat Muntz (bass) and Max Holmberg (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: Chuck Kistler 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

from Earshot Jazz:

Nominations Wanted:
The Golden Ear Awards recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the previous year in Seattle jazz. Nominations for the 2011 awards are currently being accepted. Please email nominations to [email protected] by January 6, 2012. The official voting ballots for the 2011 awards will be printed in the February issue of this publication and available at www.earshot.org.

Send us your suggestions for

NW Recording of the Year
NW Acoustic Jazz Ensemble of the Year
Alternative Jazz Group of the Year
NW Concert of the Year
NW Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year
Emerging Artist of the Year
NW Vocalist of the Year
Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame

Each year the Golden Ear Awards program provides an opportunity for Seattle jazz fans and performers to celebrate the region’s jazz accomplishments of the previous year. Earshot Jazz initiated the Golden Ear Awards in 1990 to recognize the accomplishments of Seattle jazz artists over the previous year, and to induct significant members of the jazz community into the local Jazz Hall of Fame. Over the years, the award categories have shifted slighty, but the essence of the process has remained the same.

JAZZ ALLEY: Pearl Django with Special Guest Martin Taylor
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

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

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

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm: Ballard High School Jazz Combo with Sam Zisette (trumpet), Ruby Fore (tenor sax), Thomas Varas (piano), Zach Metzger (bass) and Luca Cartner (drums), and special guests Will Radford (sax) and Jade Likkel (vocals)
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

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

JAZZ ALLEY: Pearl Django with Special Guest Martin Taylor
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jay Thomas 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

Pearl Django with Special Guest Martin Taylor

January 3 – 8 at JAZZ ALLEY
2033 6th Avenue, Seattle
Reservations: 206.441.9729

Pacific Jazz Institute at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley presents Seattle’s own gypsy jazz artists Pearl Django with special guest jazz guitarist Martin Taylor. Band members include Troy Chapman (guitar), and Ryan Hoffman (guitar), Rick Leppanen (bass), Michael Gray (violin), and David Lange (accordion). Set times Tuesday – Thursday and Sunday at 7:30pm and Friday – Saturday at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Doors open at 6:00pm on Tuesday and 5:30pm Wednesday – Sunday.

“Pearl Django plays gypsy jazz…and they do it with such verve, skill and pleasure that they’re pretty much irresistible to jazz and non-jazz listeners alike.” — Seattle Weekly

Joining Pearl Django, special guest and award winning guitarist Martin Taylor has established a unique musical career as an internationally acclaimed musician, and his inimitable style has seen him recognized as the world’s foremost exponent of solo jazz guitar playing. As well as being a true guitar innovator, he is also a master concert performer, dazzling audiences with his solo shows, which combine virtuosity, emotion, humor, with a strong stage presence.

ROYAL ROOM: Grid featuring Allison Miller accompanied by Jen Gilleran (percussion), Gregg Keplinger (percussion), Sean Lane (percussion), CJ Stout (guitar), Neil Welch (saxophone), Kate Olson (saxophone), Erica Carlson (percussion) and Andrew Rudd (percussion).
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 8:00pm

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: Jazz Jam with Greta Matassa
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

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