Seattle Jazz Scene

Seattle Jazz Beat: A Weekly Look at the Seattle Jazz Scene

Seattle Jazz Beat is a weekly column from Jazz Journalist Association writer, Paul Rauch. It is a narrative covering news and events, providing musician profiles, reviews and gathering community resources in support of jazz music in Seattle. To read and subscribe, follow this link-https://substack.com/@seattlejazzbeat

Tuesday Night Jam at the Owl

Tuesday Nights 9:30 PM / Owl ‘n Thistle

The Tuesday night jam at the Owl has a colorful 30 year legacy, and is one of the few late-night gatherings left in town. The result is that musicians show up, and often, touring artists drop in as well. The jam has welcomed in Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Emmet Cohen and a host of others. The jam began in the late 90s, hosted by the neo-bop ensemble, Bebop & Destruction. After a long-run by pianist Eric Verlinde, pianist /mallet artist Matt Williams has taken the reins of this important community event. For many years, it has been a gathering spot for the Seattle jazz community, and a space where musical ties are formed. I interviewed the founders in 2021 for an article outlining the jam’s wild and interesting history for All About Jazz. To read, follow this link https://www.allaboutjazz.com/tuesday-night-jams-at-the-owl-a-25-year-legacy-in-seattle

Roman Goron Quartet

Wed Aug 12, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

Young pianist Roman Goron returns home from his new residence in New York, along with two other local talents who are making a go of it in Gotham as well. Goron is at Juilliard these days, but his later days in Seattle were already showing strong signs that he has what it takes to have success in this music. Saxophonist Aidan Sieman has come a long way from his Garfield days, while drummer Josh Setala has settled into a refined style aided by time spent at SF Jazz and now in New York. The quartet is completed with the grounding influence of Seattle first call bassist, Michael Glynn. Goron will arrange his original music for the band, and may add some electronic material.

Summer always bring the city’s young players who are studying and living abroad, home to perform and return to the hive, so to speak. This should be one of the most satisfying dates on the SJF dates this summer. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Steve Korn Group

featuring Marc Seales, Jay Thomas, Mark Taylor & Paul Gabrielson

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

Every once in a while, the Seattle jazz scene just needs to show off a little, by filling the stage with some of its resident luminaries. Drummer /composer / photographer extraordinaire Steve Korn has done just that on this date in Pioneer Square. Pianist Marc Seales is a bonafide Seattle jazz HOFer, while Mark Taylor is simply one of, if not, THE best alto player to emerge from the Emerald City for decades. Bassist Paul Gabrielson is a fine jazz bassist who guests with Seattle Symphony and branches off into the classical and folk realms with equal veracity. Jay Thomas is one of the rare birds in jazz history who plays both trumpet and saxophone at the highest level. As a mentor and musician, he is one of the most influential voices on the Seattle scene, and an international treasure. As for Korn, he will sit in the middle of all of this brilliance and tie all of the variables together. He never overplays, yet is a very dynamic player. This is one to cancel all appointments for, hire a sitter if need be, and treat yourself to two hours of the best this city has to offer. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Jay Thomas’ Tenor Dynasty

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

Multi-instrumentalist Jay Thomas has been staging Tenor Dynasty shows in Seattle since the 80s. The idea is to put four of the best tenor players on stage, and back the foursome with a killer rhythm section. That is definitely the case here. Thomas has that beautiful “old sound” of tenorists like Dexter Gordon and Harold Land. Travis Ranney gets a chance here to stretch out from his usual place in a variety of the best large ensembles in town, including SRJO. Mark Taylor is a known quantity on alto, one of the best the city has offered. But he is a tenor player in SRJO, and wields the larger horn just as well as he mans the alto. Joel Steinke is a tenor player through and through, and one of the most under-appreciated musicians in the city. He bears the marks of players like Coltrane and Shorter, with an adventurous spirit grounded in phenomenal presence. Pianist John Hansen, bassist Phil Sparks and drummer Adam Kessler provide the harmonic and rhythmic canvas. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Julian Priester Quintet

Sat Aug 15, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

Legendary trombonist Julian Priester is still attached to his instrument and his music at 91 years of age. Attending one of his gigs is something one should never take for granted. The musicians chosen for each of his montly residency shows at SJF sure as heck don’t. For this evening, iconic Seattle multi-reedist Hans Teuber, bassist Heather Criscaden, pianist Ann Reynolds and drummer Maria Wulf will perform with Dr. Priester. For the Aberdeen-born Wulf, this represents a rare opportunity to see her play in a small group environment. Priester has always valued being surrounded by strong female voices, and such is the case with this rhythm section. Teuber has tangled with Priester on many occasions over the past three plus decades. This amounts to a wonderful convergence of sound led by one of Seattle’s true jazz treasures. seattlejazzfellowship.org

Monday Night Jam Session

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/

The Royal We

Fri Oct 3, 7:30 PM / The Royal Room

The Royal We began informally playing the late-night set at the Royal Room in Seattle every Wednesday night. The music is highly improvised, working from motifs and compositions by Wayne Horvitz, There is an open improvisational bent to the band, with a very 60s modal and Afro-groove feel. Pianist Horvitz is joined in this iteration of the band by guitarist Demarcus Baysmore, saxophonist Skerik, bassist Geoff Harper and drummer D’Vonne Lewis. If you know the personnel, you can imagine the number of different directions the ensemble could possibly engage. This should be a great night to hit Columbia City and the The Royal Room https://thestranger.boldtypetickets.com/events/184309981/the-royal-we

Brittany Davis-Black Thunder

Tue & Wed Aug 25-26, 7:30 PM / Jazz Alley

Pianist / vocalist Brittany Davis rides the crest of her latest release, Black Thunder (Loosegroove, 2026). She is often comped to artists that include Nina Simone, but in many ways she is a unique entity, and one that is definitely Seattle through and through. She is accompanied by bassist Trevor Ford and drummer D’Vonne Lewis, two of the best read and react players in town. It is always cause for celebration when Jazz Alley features local talent, especially when the music bears the soul of the city where the JA stage has made history, time after time.

Davis’ new music is like an ode to self-exploration and realization. Performing it on her hometown’s main stage for jazz has a dream-like quality to it. Ford and Lewis appear to be the perfect duo to help make it truly come alive in performance. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=8815

Ann Reynolds Jazztet

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

Pianist Ann Reynolds returns to SJF with her jazztet, an ensemble of players with some history and group mind. Tenor saxophonist Tobi Stone is a Seattle jazz stalwart, sharing the front line with alto saxophonist and flutist, Jessica Lurie. The eclectic duo of bassist Geoff Harper and drummer Chris Icasiano bring an open quality to the rhythm section along with the bandleader. There is always a great vibe and sense of community when this band hits the Fellowship. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Rex Gregory Quartet

Sat Sept 12, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

Houston born, and a longtime New Orleans resident, multi-reedist Rex Gregory lived in Seattle for a spell, until the pandemic intruded. In his short time here, he made quite an impression, and developed a kinship with Seattle musicians. For this date, he reunites with three of them in pianist Dylan Hayes, bassist Michael Glynn and drummer Chris Icasiano. Don’t jump to conclusions about the fact that Gregory lives in New Orleans–he is a true post-bop player who is comfortable performing on tenor and alto saxophones, clarinet, flute and alto flute, His tenor voice is full bodied and eclectic in nature. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Joshua Redman Quartet

Thu-Sun Sept 10-13, 7:30 & 9:30 PM / Jazz Alley

Saxophonist Joshua Redman is the son of the great saxman Dewey Reman and dancer Renee Shedroff, so the fact that his playing has so much edge and movement is no surprise. He has been one of the biggest names in jazz for a few decades now, yet seems to reinvent himself almost constantly in new and fresh ways. That said, his trademark tenor sound is a constant in the sea of change that has taken place in Redman’s career. Bassist Philip Norris and drummer Nazir Ebo are already on the gig, with a pianist TBA. Whether playing trio or quartet, or with the all-star collective James Farm, Redman is no stranger to the stage at Jazz Alley. The house is always full when he is in town, with six shows to choose from over four days. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=8810

Pat Bianchi Organ Trio

Thu Sept 17, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

Pat Bianchi is one of the finest jazz organists on the planet, and that’s just the plain truth. Whether performing his highly original compositions, or intrepreting tunes, he is a visionary of his instrument. For this Seattle date, he teams with Portland guitar ace Dan Balmer and Philadelphia drummer Byron Landham. Balmer is legendary in the PNW, while Landham comes from fertile territory in Philly, and has appeared with Thomas Marriott at SJF this year. He is one-third of the trio Trash Gadget alongside Orrin Evans and Mathew Parrish.

Bianchi was last in Seattle in 2018 with Pat Martino. Steely Dan and Lou Donaldson are two others on his resume live and in the studio–a soulful combination for sure. He is the author of nine albums as a leader. His playing bears the traits of mentors Dr. Lonnie Smith and Joey DeFrancesco. One not to miss. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Bruce Phares Trio

with Sidney Hauser & Grace Kaste

Veteran bassist Bruce Phares convenes with fellow bassist Grace Kaste and saxophonist Sidney Hauser for a drummer-less, two bass trio. The configuration is different, so it’s difficult to sort out the parts here-but maybe that’s where we find the fun. Kaste returns to Seattle after four years in New York at Columbia. She is a versatile jazz bassist, and a stylish soloist. She was mentored by the late, great Chuck Deardorf. Phares is a very strong player, so how the two play off each other will be very interesting. Whidbey Island born Seattle resident Hauser seems to have found a deeper dedication to her music- she is a visual artist as well. The emotion in her playing is something that has noticeably taken flight. The alto is her main instrument, but moves to tenor on occasion. New territory here, making for a very diverse week at SJF. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Duende Libre Trio

Sat Sept 19, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

Duende Libre is a piano-based trio that explores jazz music through the lens of world rhythms. Pianist Alex Chadsey‘s role is very much jazz piano trio focused, while contributing and reacting in real time to the rhythmic waves created by drummer / percussionist Jeff Busch. Electric bassist Farko Dosumov is guided by the lead bass tendencies that comp to Pastorius, Miller and Lesh- an amazing realization considering that many would consider a band utilizing “world rhythms” as tending to be groove driven. While the trio lands in groove spaces, it often relies on more abstract persuasions rhythmically. Still working off the energy provided by their recent highly-regarded album, Invocation, the trio settles in at SJF, in a jazz listening space where the intricate compositional skills and instrumental virtuosity of this trio can be appreciated in full. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Isaiah Collier: Collier Plays Coltrane

Wed Sept 30, 7:30 PM / Jazz Alley

Another Coltrane 100 gig, a week after Trane’s actual century mark. Yet, if there is a saxophonist in America worthy of creating a Coltrane homage within the spirit of the music, it is Isaiah Collier. A native of the south side of Chicago, Collier has shown himself to be one of the true bright lights on the scene, and certainly one of the most notable of new generation modern jazz players. Collier is a sonic explorer much like his hero in Trane, and will undoubtedly take the music and find new ground in it to traverse. He has finally been given a chance to play Jazz Alley, after appearing last time around at the Black and Tan Hall. One show hit, so make your reservation. Aside from Joe Lovano’s Coltrane 100 show at the Moore, this should be the gig most worthy of your Coltrane focus. Collier will be joined by pianist  Davis Whitfiled, bassist Conway Campbell, and drummer Tim Regis. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=8818

Stefon Harris & Blackout

Tue & Wed Oct 13-14, 7:30 PM / Jazz Alley

Vibraphonist Stefon Harris has been a major force in the world of jazz performance and education. He is comfortable in the myriad of fusion forms in jazz today, as well as his historic place in straight ahead modern jazz. This iteration of his band includes the formidable bassist Luques Curtis, master alto saxophonist Jaleel Shaw, in-demand pianist Kenny Banks, Jr., sensational drummer Terreon Gully and vocalist Alexis Morrast. With a formidable band as such, the sparks should fly! https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=8827