Seattle Jazz Scene

Bill Frisell Trio featuring Luke Bergman & Tim Angulo

Fri Mar 13, 8 PM / Moore Theatre

Iconic guitarist Bill Frisell celebrates his 75th birthday by returning to Seattle for a special appearance at the Moore as part of his national tour. Frisell has been a major influence in the jazz guitar world, revolutionizing the instrument in jazz in terms of approach, sound and instrument choice. Bassist Luke Bergman was born in Pullman and raised in Ellensburg. He has a close assoication with Frisell from years together at the University of Washington. He is an innovator on guitar and pedal steel as well. New York based drummer Tim Angulo rounds out this trio that will no doubt be in exploration mode throughout the evening, armed with the advantage of familiarity.

Beri Purlovsky Quartet

Fri Mar 13, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

Drummer Beri Purlovsky has been a constant on the Seattle scene in recent times- but certainly not as a leader. Yet if you have attended local jam sessions, you have likely seen him play. The Croatia born Purlovsky was a mainstay on the San Francisco scene for many years. He has assembled a formidable band for his Seattle Jazz Fellowship debut, with first-call bassist Michael Glynn, vibraphonist Jacques Willis and pianist Tim Kennedy on the gig. The veteran drummer has not played a significant date as a leader in town to my knowledge, so it is hard to truly put the proper bent on what to expect on this evening- but the band is full of talent, making this a good bet for area jazz fans. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Trevor Ford & Pico Trio

with Martin Budde & Dylan Hayes

Sat Mar 14, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

Bassist Trevor Ford, guitarist Martin Budde and pianist Dylan Hayes have been playing a restaurant gig under the name, Pico Trio, an effort that does not include a drummer. When you consider the top shelf quality of the players involved, it becomes a chamber-like jazz ensemble of three equal parts. The threesome plays originals and interpretations of jazz standards and selected pop tunes. All three are very versatile players, giving the trio the ability to move in a wide variety of directions. Budde is a jazz guitarist with roots in bluegrass and Americana, Hayes an excellect composer and arranger to add to his formidable chops as a pianist. Ford is well known to area jazz fans as the bassist in Thomas Marriott’s Seattle quartet, but has been performing as a leader- this being his third hit at SJF. He swings with great ease and definitive post-bop roots. This should be a fun night, led my musicians that have integrated themselves into the Seattle jazz community on a steady basis. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Monday Night Jam at Seattle Jazz Fellowship

Monday Nights, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

The Monday night jam in Pioneer Square has been quite the thing since the third Monday in January 2025. The session has been a gathering spot for some of the best musicians in town, from seasoned professionals to ascending high school and college players. It has also become a focal point for gen z to gather socially outside of the shadow of technology and screen life. Each week the club is full, and a line ascends up the stairs, around the corner and down First Avenue. These young people arrived via a Tic Tok video with the idea of an all ages, cover free experience with new music performed honestly, in the moment. They became a jazz audience with much more reverence for the music than most sessions. They listen, applaud solos, cheer on their favorites and deeply enjoy the idea of musicians creating on the spot jam style. We long-time patrons of the art are right there alongside them and it is a true joy. The musicians, both in house band led by Thomas Marriott, and the jammers feel the vibe as well. The early start and end allows for those who have school and work the next day. If you are looking for a ray of hope in our city, this may be your gig. Show up by 7 PM and you should have a seat. Musicians enter at will as long as they sign up to play. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/

Tuesday Night Jam at the Owl

Tuesdays at 9:30 PM / Owl & Thistle

The Tuesday night jam at the Owl is a Seattle tradition dating back to 1997, and a band known as Bebop and Destruction. It’s interesting, and often zany history includes wild antics, colorful characters and many a drop in from national touring musicians including Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Branford Marsalis, Emmett Cohen and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Pianist Eric Verlinde guided the jam into more tranquil waters over his eighteen years directing the session, a tenure that recently ended. Pianist Matt Williams has now taken the reins, injecting a new found enthusiasm and freeing up Verlinde to come and hang and play! The 9:30 start enables musicians with gigs that evening to show up and play after the opening set that lasts forty five minutes or so.

The session is very important within the musical and social fabric of the Seattle jazz scene. The very interesting and often humorous history of the session is well documented in an article I wrote for All About Jazz a few years back. Link provided below.https://www.allaboutjazz.com/tuesday-night-jams-at-the-owl-a-25-year-legacy-in-seattle

Julian Priester & Priester’s Cue

Fri Mar 20, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

Legendary trombonist Julian Priester settles in with familiar company for the second installment of his monthly residency at SJF. Priester was on staff at Cornish with pianist Dawn Clement for many years, in the process, developing an important musical alliance. The album In Deep End Dance chronicles this quartet that includes bassist Geoff Harper and drummer Byron Vannoy. This band, like their album, requires that you go all in as a listener- with each listen, one hears something new, something fresh. Priester’s ideas, decision making process, tonal mastery and pure emotion always brings his audience to a special place. At 90 years old, the flame still burns brightly, as was evidenced by his February performance at SJF. Priester, the artist-in-residence at SJF is a Seattle treasure, and one that continues to gift our community with wonderful, spontaneous moments. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Steve Guasch & ONE Album Release Concert

Fri Mar 20, 7:30 PM / The Triple Door Mainstage

Steve Guasch and ONE (Orquesta Nueva Era) celebrate their new Salsaneo Records release, Buscando La Verdad with a performance at the Triple Door featuring internationbal salsa stars and the best of Seattle’s vibrant Latin Jazz scene. International stars include Cuban drummer Calixto Oviedo, trumpeters Luis “Papo” Marquez and Haile Uriarte and bassist Maximo Rodriguez. Vocalists Francis Rosa Velez, Miguel Angel Baez, Josean Rivera and Carlos Cascante complete this all-star cast.

The Seattle based contingent within the orchestra includes pianist /arranger Julio Jauregui, Grammy nominated Cuban cuatro master, Kiki Valera, trumpeter Mike Mines, trombonists Nathan Vetter and Audrey Stangland and saxophonist Ted Dortch. The performance is financed by a 4Culture grant written by Seattle percussionist Tor Dietrichson. This should be a superb show for area Latin jazz fans, as well as those who wish to be introduced to the music. https://tickets.thetripledoor.net/eventperformances.asp?evt=2216

Marc Seales Band

Sat Mar 21, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

Iconic Seattle pianist / keyboardist Marc Seales returns to the Fellowship for a Saturday night hit. To date, I haven’t been able to track down who will appear with him on this date, so a TBA applies. However, when it comes to Seales choosing musical partners, one can rely on the band being top shelf. Nonetheless, you should show up to this one, if you’re looking for a jazz date in town that will provide certain high results. seattlejazzfellowship.org

Kandace Springs Trio

Mar 26-Mar 29, 7:30 & 9:30 PM / Jazz Alley

Kandace Springs returns to Jazz Alley for a six show run. Springs is an excellent jazz vocalist and pianist, leading a long-tenured trio that is well worth the effort to get down to Belltown and have a nice evening at the Alley. Bassist Caylen Bryant and drummer Camille Gainer join Springs in a format that features Springs originals and a healthy portion of standards interpreted in soulful ways. One of the better jazz vocal artists on the scene, she is known specifically as a great live performer with a great rapport with her audience. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=8754

Will Lone Quartet

Thu Mar 26, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

Drummer Will Lone makes his debut as a leader at SJF, leading a quartet of eclectic Seattle players. Pianist Josh Rawlings and bassist Abbey Blackwell are formidable additions to the rhythm section, while tenor saxophonist Joel Steinke completes the foursome. Steinke is a bit underappreciated- a vibrant player with a classic tenor sound, he seems the perfect fit for this band. Blackwell hasn’t been around the Fellowship much, so a great opportunity to see her perform with a prime selection of bandmates. Rawlings is a versatile player with deft touch and great ideas behind the piano. This performance is a culmination of an interesting journey for Lone, who frequents the jam at SJF as well as supporting other artist’s gigs. He is a formidable talent- the hope here is that the gig is well supported. seattlejazzfellowship.org

Sidney Hauser Quartet

Fri Mar 27, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

Best known for her work with the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, saxophonist Sidney Hauser has been leaving her mark as a leader on the scene, including this date in Pioneer Square. Hauser just recently drew huge praise to match the huge crowd who took in her performance at Jazz Night in Pioneer Square. Alternating between her main horn, the alto, with tenor and soprano, she will sport a sleek new quartet with pianist Dylan Hayes, bassist Trevor Ford and drummer Adam Kessler. There is enough firepower in the band to make things very interesting, and allow the bandleader to really take things out. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Greta Matassa Quintet

Sat Mar 28, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

Here I am atop my Greta Matassa soapbox again- but hey, it’s a fine and true place to be, because her artistry continues to astound after all this time. Matassa has not only impacted Seattle jazz deeply as a vocal artist of the highest order, but her role as a mentor to jazz vocal culture in the region has raised the bar for jazz singers from Seattle and beyond. Her band is killin’ as well, and better yet, she let’s them play things out. I know this date will draw the usual support from her long tenured legion of fans, but here’s to hoping that a few of you who haven’t sampled her sublime talent, will attend in the perfect space to do so. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Samantha Boshnack Uncomfortable Subtet

Sun Mar 29, 7:30 PM / Royal Room

It’s been a while since Samantha Boshnack has come up with a new project, so this is a welcome item to the Seattle music calendar. The trumpeter / composer is known for her adventurous narrative statements that include angular melodies and many moving parts through the melodic and harmonic elements of her sound. No, this isn’t jazz exactly, but the music is rooted in that spirit, with a “new music” vibe that taps into the most adventurous forms of composition. Boshnack describes herself as a jazz composer, essentially because that’s where the open space lies between her musical world and ours. The result is something confoundingly original with the ability to allow you to have different insights into the nature of the connection of all world sounds. If you follow Boshnack, you know of which I speak- if not, you should hit the Royal Room for a Sunday night introduction. https://www.earshot.org/event/samantha-boshnack-premieres-uncomfortable-subtet/

Lakecia Benjamin and Phoenix

Tue Mar 31 -Wed Apr 1, 7:30 PM / Jazz Alley

I will admit to warming up slowly to alto saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin. I believe it was all the Coltrane name-dropping that took place with her launch as a recording artist in jazz. I’ve come to realize that in a way, she was victimized by the basic tenets of jazz commodicication- that being said, she storms into Seattle after a whirlwind 2025. Pianist Oscar Perez, bassist Elias Bailey and drummer Quentin Baxter are all formidable, making this a great opportunity to dig Benjamin’s own legacy aside from all the media expectations. She can play, and the results should be great fun. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=8760

Orrin Evans Trio

Sat Apr 4, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

Orrin Evans is a force in modern jazz. As a leader of smaller combos, or the Grammy nominated Captain Black Big Band, the pianist has gained well deserved international acclaim. The Philadelphia based musician is a friend of Seattle, so the fact that he is playing at the Fellowship should come as no surprise. This particular evening, he reunites with bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop in a trio with great pedigree. Strictly as a pianist, Evans is someone you want to take in- his unbelievable understanding of harmony the asserts itself within his chordal playing and melodic single note runs is remarkably original. Johnson is one of the best read and react trio players in the business, while Bishop’s almost orchestral approach to the drum kit is given fertile ground here to operate freely. Fun stuff all around! http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Duende Libre 10the Anniversary Celebration

Tue Apr 7. 7:30 PM / Jazz Alley

Seattle’s Duende Libre celebrates a decade of music in a big way- by performing at Jazz Alley on the city’s most venerable jazz stage. Pianist Alex Chadsey, bassist Farko Dosumov and drummer / percussionist Jeff Busch use jazz as a portal to exploring sounds and rhythms from around the globe, and do so with precision and virtuosity. The group mind between the three after ten years is formidable, the sound they produce highly original. The band has always had an open mind to new musical avenues, and always brings a few surprises to the table. Kudos to Jazz Alley for continuing to leave the door open to the best of the resident jazz scene. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=8778

Brian Kirk Quintet: A Tribute to Cal Tjader

Thu Apr 16, 7:30 PM / Royal Room

Brian Kirk has established himself as a premier percussionist in his time in Seattle, and largely behind the drum kit. But his mallet skills, honed in show bands over time, has risen to the surface as being a musical priority. For this show, Kirk leads the band from behind the vibraphone, with an all-star cast in tribute to vibraphone great, Cal Tjader. Pianist Eric Verlinde, bassist Osama Afifi and drummer Ronnie Bishop form a traditional rhythm section, with the percussionist Ernesto Pediangco adding to the mix. Verlinde, a fine jazz pianist in an overall sense, is a sensational player in the Latin vein. This is a fine collection of players headed for a fun night in Columbia City- be sure to get your tickets in advance and make a reservation separately for dinner. https://theroyalroomseattle.com/event/brian-kirk-quintet/

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