TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Vocal Jam with Darin Clendenin Trio
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm
TRIPLE DOOR MAINSTAGE: Aurelio with Garifuna Soul
216 Union Street, 206-838-4333, 7:30pm
NEW ORLEANS: New Orleans Quintet
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm
AMORE: Ronnie Pierce Jazz Ensemble
2301 5th Ave, 206-770-0606, 7:30pm
EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Primo Kim
555 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, 425-455-2734, 6:00pm
MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Howard Dixon
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm
There have been two recent passing of musicians with ties to the Northwest.
Bassist Mark Bullis passed away on January 5th in Palm Springs after a brief illness from diverticulitis complications. He was 54.
Bullis was active on the Seattle scene performing Mondays with Ronnie Pierce at Amore, in addition to performances with Steve Allen, Diane Shure, Barbara McNair, Johnny Barnes of the Platters, Edmonia Jarrett, and Hadley Caliman. He also performed with the Seattle Philharmonic and the Bellevue Philharmonic.
Shortly before his death, Bullis recorded a CD with pianist Sam Pannunzio and drummer Lionel Kramer which will be released later this year.
More information is available here.
Pianist Tricia Woods, who was a student at Cornish College of the Arts in the early-90s and continued to perform in Seattle until moving to New York, passed away in her home in Mapplewood, NJ, on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 after a long battle with breast cancer.
She was forty-four years old. Tricia was born and raised in Tupper Lake, New York, attended Brown University where she majored in biology, studied music at Cornish College in Seattle and received a Masters in Music at City College in New York City. She was a beloved piano teacher and active member of the Maplewood, New Jersey community over the last seven years.
She is survived by her husband, Gregory Jones and her son, Christopher Woods-Jones.
We remember and miss you.
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: “Yet What is Any Ocean” CD Release with Q.E.D. (Ben Thomas, Chris Stover and Alex Chadsey)
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm
JAZZ ALLEY: Ain’t Misbehavin’
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm
MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Bonnie Birch
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm
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 and Gail Pettis
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm
EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7pm: Vocal Jam hosted by Charles Key; 9pm: Vocal Showcase featuring Emily McVicker and Penolope Donado
1707 NW Market St, 206-789-1621
LUCID: Rochelle House & Evan Flory-Barnes
5241 University Ave NE, Seattle, 206-402-3042, 8:30pm
Drummer Matt Jorgensen is in Denver this week for the opening of Dale Chisman In Retrospect an exhibition of paintings by the noted Denver abstractionist. Jorgensen’s recent recording, Tattooed by Passion, is based on the paintings of Chisman, who is his wife’s late-father.
The show starts this Thursday, with an opening reception at 6:00pm and runs through February 27 at RedLine (2350 Arapahoe Street, Denver).
Jorgensen will be interviewed on KUVO 89.3fm radio Wednesday afternoon (1:20pm Denver time, 12:20pm Seattle time) talking about his recent recording and the opening at RedLine. (You should be able to listen to the interview online on KUVO’s website).
This past week has also seen a surge in airplay of Jorgensen’s Tattooed by Passion CD. It currently sits at #30 on the JazzWeek Radio Chart, up from #70 last week.
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Emerald City Jazz Orchestra
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm
JAZZ ALLEY: Ain’t Misbehavin’
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm
MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Karin Kajita
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm
MIX: Don Mock & Steve Kim … and it is Ryan Burns’ Birthday Party!
6006 12th Ave South, 206-767-0280, 9:00pm
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
BOXLEY’S: Future Jazz Heads
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm
SEAMONSTER LOUNGE: McTuff Trio
2202 N 45th St, 206-633-1824, 10:00pm
THE CHAPEL: Gretta Harley
Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave N
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Hal Sherman and the BCC Jazz Orchestra
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm
NEW ORLEANS: New Orleans Quintet
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm
AMORE: Ronnie Pierce Jazz Ensemble
2301 5th Ave, 206-770-0606, 7:30pm
EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Primo Kim
555 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, 425-455-2734, 6:00pm
MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Howard Dixon
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm
BOXLEY’S: Chris Stevens
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm
from Jim Wilke:
There’s an amazing amount of activity in the jazz world this week…. the JEN conference (successor to IAJE) is this week in New Orleans, the APAP presenters conference is happening in New York City and both are chock full of artists’ showcases and presentations and concerts, stirring up more interest and involvement in Jazz.
Add to this the NEA Jazz Masters Awards Tuesday night in New York (already sold out) and you have a lot of positive energy in the jazz world over the next several days. NEA Jazz Masters Awards recipients this year are Hubert Laws, David Liebman, Johnny Mandel, and the Marsalis Family (!), all of whom will have features with the LCJO. Record producer Orin Keepnews will receive the Jazz Advocacy Award.
Roberta Gambarini will pay tribute to some of those greats who passed in the last year, notably Hank Jones and James Moody (who were both close personal friends of hers) and Abbey Lincoln and Dr.Billy Taylor. Although not yet quite prime time enough for CBS, NBC, ABC or PBS, the Awards event will be video streamed live on Tuesday @ 4:30 PM (Pacific) (7:30 Eastern) through arts.gov. Live audio will be available on WBGO/wbgo.org, Sirius XM Ch.70 and npr.org/music.
Yesterday, I had a nice phone conversation with one of the NEA Jazz Masters recipients, the saxophonist Dave Liebman, who at 64 is one of the first of his generation to be so honored. He’s one of the hardest working guys in the biz; small groups, recording, touring, teaching, composing, big bands, workshops, etc, etc. There were major feature articles on Lieb in the December JazzTimes and January DownBeat. A veteran of Miles Davis, Lookout Farm, Quest, Saxophone Summit, fusion, bop, post bop, numerous bands of his own, he’s in New Orleans this weekend for the JEN, and also playing a gig at Snug Harbor … he’s an amazing dynamo. It’s an honor to have him as guest on Jazz After Hours in the 1 AM hour Saturday night/Sunday morning.
I think April was supposed to Jazz Appreciation Month, but January is looking pretty good, too!
Jim Wilke
Jazz After Hours, PRI
http://jazzafterhours.org
Guitarist Chris Spencer has also been making a name for himself as a studio owner and recording engineer. We got an email from him announcing the remodel of his studio and offering a special Winter Rate. Read below.
Over the past 18 months I’ve been working on a remodel of my recording studio space, Sofia Hat Studios, resulting in a larger, more comfortable place to record. We can accommodate sessions up to half a dozen musicians and work either isolated or in the same open space. In addition, we are very pleased to announce the addition of a fine grand piano, a Fandrich 6’ 8”. Darrell Fandrich is a local technician who is known for his innovative techniques and gorgeous sounding instruments and we feel very fortunate to have one in our space.
We have also made more of an investment on our gear, a larger selection of microphones, preamps, and converters; all the important things to make better sounding recordings. You can find a complete list of all our gear on through the link below.
As I have slowly put my space back together, reorganized and refitted, I decided to redesign my studio website, adding more content, demo material and conveniences such as online booking. At your convenience please have a look and spread the word to any friends, students, and coworkers who might be interested.
Also, I’d like to offer you a $5/hr break on the session rates good through March 21. That’s $35/hr, so a typical 4 hour session would come in less than $150. Just mention this email or the “winter special rate”. Thanks for taking a look and hope to see you soon.
Thanks and Happy New Year,
Chris Spencer
Website: http://www.sophiahatstudio.com
The Seattle Times has published their list of the Top 10 Jazz CDs of 2010. Actually, they reprinted The Chicago Tribune’s Howard Reich’s list of top jazz CDs.
Is it too much to ask that Seattle’s only daily newspaper actually hire a jazz writer to write a story that has some sort of relevance to community in which they are based?
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Katie King 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
NEW ORLEANS: Brent Jensen Quartet
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 8:00pm
LATONA PUB: Phil Sparks Trio
6423 Latona Avenue NE, 5:00 – 7:00pm, No Cover, 21+
AMORE: Lonnie Williams
2301 5th Ave, (206) 770-0606
BOXLEY’S: Milo Peterson Trio
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm
BAKE’S PLACE: Greta Matassa and Jovon Miller
4135 Providence Point Dr. SE Issaquah, (425) 391-3335, 7:30pm
LUCID: Leif Totusek, Johnny Conga, Derek Learned and friends
5241 University Ave NE, Seattle, (206) 402-3042, 9:00pm
HIROSHI’S: Clark Gibson Trio
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966
SERAFINA: Djangomatics
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 323-0807, 9pm
LAKESIDE BISTRO: Trish Hatley and Hans Bremer
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, (206) 772-6891
Earshot’s John Gilbreath lands at #17 of CityArts magazine’s list of Seattle’s top culture makers. He is in between The Seattle Channel’s Nancy Guppy and Pacific Northwest Ballett’s Artistic Director Peter Boal … fine company indeed.
from CityArts:
17 John Gilbreath
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EARSHOT JAZZ
John Gilbreath says his to-do list is a block and a half long, and it’s easy to see why. Earshot produces nearly a hundred performances each year, including a monthly concert series at the Seattle Art Museum and the renowned annual Earshot Jazz Festival, which Gilbreath has grown from a three-day to a three-week event. The longtime host for KEXP’s Jazz Theater, he’s also given prominent airtime on KBCS, where his show The Caravan, which showcases world music that has roots in jazz, airs every weekday. He also serves on the board of directors for the Western Jazz Presenters Network and the new Seattle JazzED program and sculpts when he, ahem, carves out enough free time.
from Jim Wilke’s Jazz After Hours Best of 2010 List:
Each year I publish a list of jazz CDs issued in the past year that I found most interesting and enjoyable. The list is selected from among the thousand or so CDs received in an average year. It also represents music that I have played frequently on Jazz After Hours and Jazz Northwest. The Best NW category zeros in on musicians in our area but only as a point of reference. Musically, their CDs could just as well be in the national categories.
Gail Pettis – Here In the Moment – Origin
Hadley Caliman – Straight Ahead – Origin
Nelda Swiggett – This Time – OA2
Wellstone Conspiracy – Motives – Origin
Karin Plato – Out of Town – KVP
Dave Peck – Modern Romance – Let’s Play Stella
Ziggurat Quartet – Calculated Gesture – Origin
Cory Weeds – The Many Deeds of – Cellar Live
Matt Jorgensen – Tattooed by Passion – Origin
Hadley Caliman/Pete Christlieb – Reunion – Origin
Randy Halberstadt – Flash Point – Origin
Thomas Marriott – Constraints & Liberations – Origin
Greta Matassa & Clipper Anderson – And To All A Good Night – Origin
Click hereJazz After Hours Best of 2010 List to read Jim’s complete list.
Fri., Jan. 7, noon – 1 p.m.
City Hall
Assistant Conductor Eric Garcia will lead the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and guest bassoon soloist Andrew Brady in a free concert at City Hall. This special performance is part of Seattle Symphony’s ACCESS Project (Artistic and Cultural Community Engagement with Seattle Symphony), which is dedicated to bringing classical music to communities throughout the region, especially to underserved areas.
After the concert, audience members are invited to mingle with symphony members at a post-performance reception in City Hall’s Bertha Knight Landes Room.
The year-end lists are flooding in, and the jazz blogosphere is replete with best-of’s. I know I’m a little late to the party, but as I did last year, I thought I would put my own spin on this yearly ritual and shine the spotlight on the amazing jazz talent we have right here in the Emerald City.
There were many more than 10 great CD’s released by Seattle jazz artists in 2010, so I couldn’t put everyone on this list. I’m sure there’s one or two I’ve forgotten, so please feel free to add yours in the comments section. I reserve the right to amend this list as I’m reminded of the other great CD’s that came out of Seattle this year.
Here they are, in no particular order:
Matt Jorgensen – Tattooed By Passion (Origin Records)
Andy Clausen Sextet – Follow (self-produced)
Jovino Santos Neto – Veja o Som – See The Sound (Adventure Music)
Chad McCullough & Michal Vanoucek – The Sky Cries (Origin Records)
Dave Anderson Quartet – Clarity (Pony Boy Records)
Hadley Caliman – Straight Ahead (Origin Records)
Owcharuk 5 – Kobzar (Broken Time Records)
Wellstone Conspiracy – Motives (Origin Records)
Whitney James – The Nature Of Love (Damselfly Productions)
Thomas Marriott & Ray Vega – East-West Trumpet Summit (Origin Records)
Click here to read Jason’s complete list with descriptions of each CD and to hear sound samples.
Seattle Jazz Scene would also like to make mention of Jason’s last part of his post:
I’d like to point out that I purchased each and every one of these CD’s. None were sent to me free of charge and I was happy to give my support to these great musicians. I hope you’ll consider doing the same.
Well done!
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Smith/Staelens Big Band
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm
JAZZ ALLEY: Pearl Django with Special Guest Martin Taylor
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm
MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Bonnie Birch
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm
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: Chris Morton
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm
EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7pm: Jon Sheckler Group
1707 NW Market St, 206-789-1621
LUCID: Elnah Jordan & Eric Verlinde
5241 University Ave NE, Seattle, 206-402-3042, 8:30pm
Pacific Jazz Institute at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley presents gypsy jazz artists Pearl Django with special guest guitarist Martin Taylor for six nights. Band members include Troy Chapman (guitar), and Ryan Hoffman (Guitar), Rick Leppanen (bass), Michael Gray (violin), David Lange (accordion) and Martin Taylor (guitar). Set times are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday at 7:30pm. Set times Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Doors open at 6:00 pm on Tuesday and 5:30 pm Wednesday through Sunday.
Entering their sixteenth year of performing Pearl Django continues to be one of America’s most respected and busiest Hot Club style groups. Though still strongly influenced by the music of Django Reinhardt, Pearl Django’s repertoire now includes many original compositions. Their music reaches out across the divides of taste to a wide variety of audiences. The band’s fervent followers include Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli fans, guitar enthusiasts, lovers of string music, including bluegrass devotees, who relish nimble, clean, intricate picking, “world music” fans drawn to French and Gypsy accents, plus jazz buffs and aficionados of the new swing music. Transcending simple categorization, Pearl Django packs in enthusiastic audiences at dancehalls and nightclubs, at folk music festivals and jazz festivals alike.
JANUARY 4 – 9
JAZZ ALLEY
2033 6th Avenue
Seattle WA 98121
Reservations: 206.441.9729
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jay Thomas Big Band
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm
TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Gravity
216 Union St, 206-838-4333, 9:00pm
JAZZ ALLEY: Pearl Django with Special Guest Martin Taylor
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm
MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Karin Kajita
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm
MIX: Don Mock & Steve Kim
6006 12th Ave South, 206-767-0280, 9:00pm
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
BOXLEY’S: Future Jazz Heads
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm
SEAMONSTER LOUNGE: McTuff Trio
2202 N 45th St, 206-633-1824, 10:00pm
from The New York Times:
As another holiday season under a stagnating economy draws to a close, it is hardly surprising that San Francisco would lose that rarely profitable of ventures, a jazz room.
But Coda, a bar, restaurant and club in the Mission District, did not seem like it was going under. In just a year and a half, it had established itself as one of the most interesting jazz-based schedules in the Bay Area. Acts like the Jazz Mafia tapped into a vibrant younger music scene, and salsa Sunday bookings and Latin jazz nights sold out. Stevie Wonder dropped by for a set; Liz Phair covered Velvet Underground songs.
Two weeks ago Bruce Hanson, the club’s owner, shocked staff members and promoters with the news that Coda would close after a New Year’s Eve blowout featuring Rayband and 8 Legged Monster.
Mr. Hanson blamed poor economic timing, not the business model or the musical genre. “Maybe if we opened today, we’d make it,” he said.
Continue reading at The New York Times.
Bassist and composer Charles Fambrough passed away on New Year’s Day at his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
During his nearly 40 year professional career, Fambrough performed and recorded with numerous bands, most famously Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and the Wynton Marsalis Quintet, as well as Grover Washington, Jr., McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, Airto Moreira, Shirley Scott, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk to name only a few. At the time of his death, he led his band Charles Fambrough’s All Star Group.
On New Year’s Eve, Jim Wilke broadcast “Auld Lang Syne,” “Webb City” and “One By One” by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers recorded live at the old University Avenue Jazz Alley which featured Fambrough along with Wynton and Branford Marsalis.
For more information, visit this thread at JazzCornerTalk.com.
Charles Fambrough with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers: