Seattle Jazz Scene

David Weiss Sextet

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

Trumpeter David Weiss is so well known as the leader of the jazz supergroup, The Cookers, that perhaps his own prowess as a jazz trumpeter is less known. With his latest release on the Seattle based Origin Records label, Auteur, Weiss performs as more of the central focus. For this date in the Emerald City, the New York based Weiss teams up with saxophonists Myron Walden (Alto) and Ben Solomon (Tenor) on the front line. Pianist David Bryant, bassist Eric Wheeler and drummer EJ Strickland complete this formidable, hard-hitting sextet that plays the full spectrum, including the outer edges in the straight-ahead idiom. These are major east coast players in the intimate space at SJF- one not to miss. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Nick Biello Flexitarian Trio

with Jerry Steinhilber & Alex Tremblay

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

New York based alto saxophonist Nick Biello is simply one of the best out there these days, a true virtuoso who has a dynamic flow to his playing that is both melodic and adventurous. We have grown accustomed to seeing him in Seattle in a quintet setting, but for this date will opt for a trio setting with two very familiar partners. Biello has a storied history with Brooklyn based bassist Alex Tremblay. Bellingham drummer Jerry Steinhilber adds the west coast aspect to the sound. A seasoned trio player, Steinhilber originally hails from Chicago and has that vibe to his playing. This trio will play with precision and open mindedness, possessing a poweful explorative sense- it should prove to be an exceptional evening. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Conner Eisenmenger Quartet

Sat May 16, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

Trombonist Conner Eisenmenger brings a quartet to the Fellowship that features two Seattle top shelf players and a guest from out of town. Bassist Michael Glynn and drummer D’Vonne Lewis are well known quantities in their home town of Seattle and beyond. Pianist Cat Toren arrives from Brooklyn, New York to join in the fun, bringing with her a sound that is classically trained and launched into the world of free jazz. Toren, like Eisenmenger has a penchant for composition. Her playing has a lot of space to it, in some ways reminiscent of and inspired by artists such as Alice Coltrane. In any case, her presence should be of interest to the Seattle Jazz audience.

Eisenmenger will feature newer compositions inspired by his time here in the Emerald City, as well as reimaginations of some standards, including a Heart tune. Eisenmenger doubles on trumpet in this format as well. This should be a fun gathering of talent in an intimate setting. http://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/

Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto

Tue & Wed May 19-20, 7:30 PM / Jazz Alley

As close to a sure thing as you’re going to find on a Seattle stage. Jovino brings his brand of Brazilian jazz influenced strongly by the master Hermeto Pascoal, to the city’s jazz mainstage. The master pianist is complimented perfectly by vibraphonist Ben Thomas. Drummer Mark Ivester and percussionist Jeff Busch have developed a chemistry over years of time, a true identifier of the group sound. Electric bassist Tim Carey carries the load on the bottom end. The band always brings an ardent sense of positivity and celebration of spirit. Kudos to Jazz Alley for continuing to support the local scene in Seattle by hiring resident talent. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=8796

Tuesday Night Jam at the Owl

Tuesdays at 9:30 PM / Owl ‘n 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, Emmet 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

200 Trio

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

There was a time when the 200 Trio was everywhere. Since that pre-pandemic heyday, the three members of the trio have been extremely active, but the trio has been on hiatus. Bassist Greg Feingold and drummer Max Holmberg have appeared at Seattle Jazz Fellowship since the move to the basement club, but not as leaders. Guitarist Cole Shuster on the other hand, has yet to appear. Long one of the best six-string artists in the area, it will be good to see him teaming up with his longtime mates in a revival of the Trio. Shuster is a versatile player within the jazz idiom, allowing the threesome to stretch out in a variety of directions. Feingold and Holmberg are a great matched pair that can swing with the best of them. This will be a fun night, and an opportunity to catch up with this innovative trio. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Julian Priester Quartet

Fri, May 22, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

Jazz great Julian Priester is still performing at age 90, experiencing a bit of a revival as the artist-in-residence at Seattle Jazz Fellowship. Priester has performed and recorded with Sun Ra, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Max Roach, Duke Ellington and many, many more. For this date, he joins Seattle stalwarts John Hansen (piano), Geoff Harper (bass), and Byron Vannoy (drums) for a two set performance. Having the opportunity to see a musician in Priester who is so connected to the history of innovation in this music is a rarity and a blessing. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Michael Glynn Quintet

Sat May 23, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

If you frequent jazz gigs in Seattle, you have no doubt seen the city’s first call bassist in Michael Glynn. In fact, it’s likely you have seen him on multiple occasions, in a variety of musical landscapes. That being said, it is indeed a rarity that he performs as a leader, with the opportunity to play his highly original compositions. To that end, Glynn summons some of the city’s finest. Saxophonist Mark Taylor is one of the finest altoists in the Seattle jazz lineage. Pianist Matt Williams is a lyrical player who often counts Glynn as a member of his trio / quartet. Guitarist Martin Budde is an Origin Records artist and a member of the collective, Meridian Odyssey. Drummer Sutton Marley has great chemistry with Glynn, so this should be a swingin’ affair. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Dawn Clement

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

Pianist / vocalist / composer Dawn Clement returns to Seattle for an intimate evening of music in solo, duo, trio and quartet settings. The drummer-less performance features Colorado based guitarist Steve Kovalcheck, saxophonist Mark Taylor and bassist Michael Glynn.

The performance will draw from a variety of projects, including Clement’s new album, Dear Ms. Dearie and an upcoming duo project. Mixing standards with original tunes, the evening offers an intimate, setting shared by four great musicians. Longtime Seattle resident Clement is based in Denver, but has retained strong ties to the community here and in Port Townsend. She will serve as Artistic Director at Jazz Port Townsend beginning this year and going forward. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Kelsey Mines Quintet

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

Bassist / composer Kelsey Mines returns to Seattle with a hard hitting quintet, performing the music from her latest release on Origin Records, Everything Sacred, Nothing Serious. The quintet features trumpeter Jun Iida, guitarist Rafael Chamone, pianist John Hansen and drummer Chris Icasiano. Whether performing originals or standards, Mines’ playing is deeply rooted in the jazz tradition with a background in a variety of styles from post-bop and free jazz to Brazilian. The bassist recently departed Seattle for New York, making this a homecoming as well. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Jerry Steinhilber Trio

Fri May 29, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

Bellingham based drummer Jerry Steinhilber hails from Chicago and brings that hard working, blues driven ethic to his jazz power trio performances. Bassist King Dahl and tenor saxophonist Josh Cook bring innovation and an explorative mind set to jazz standards both well known and obscure, maneuvering without the limitations of chordal harmony in the mix. While all three are well equipped with the mastery of bebop language, that dialect is articulated inside and outside of the groove, opening up a multi-directional approach to the music. Always good to have our neighbors from the north drop down for a visit- this should be a good night of music at the basement digs in Pioneer Square, with a good hang in the offering. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Fellowship Futures

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

The Fellowship Futures is a trio of high school musicians who auditioned in May of 2025 to be a part of this program at the non-profit Seattle Jazz Fellowship. For the past year, they have been mentored by trumpeter Thomas Marriott in all facets of being a professional jazz musician. Regular rehearsals and paid gigs have ensued, culminating in this performance before a new edition of the crew takes over for their year in the sun. Maddie Johnston is a senior at Auburn Riverside, and a pianist with a wonderful sense of swing and advanced harmonic approach. Bassist Theo McGaughey is a sophomore at Chief Sealth with an unquenchable thirst to learn this music. He has been mentored by many of the top bassists in Seattle and is a regular at the Monday night jam session. Sixteen year old drummer Aviv Cisneros has refined his art in quantum leaps since engaging with the Futures, playing with confidence and fire. Marriott will join making this a quartet worth a trip to Pioneer Square. Attendance not only gives you a great evening of modern jazz, it lends support to one of the many ways that SJF is advancing jazz community in Seattle. It is also a way of telling these young musicians that they are appreciated and provide hope for the music for generations to come. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Johnaye Kendrick Quartet

Fri & Sat Jun 5-6, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

The Seattle jazz community recently received the news that Johnaye Kendrick would be leaving Seattle to head the jazz program at the University of Maryland- from one Washington to the other. That makes these two nights at Seattle Jazz Fellowship special as they likely represent the final chapters of the vocal artist’s tenure in the Seattle area. She will appear with Seattle musicians with whom she is well acquainted- pianist Eric Verlinde, bassist Chris Symer and drummer D’Vonne Lewis are close musical acquaintances that have had years of time to become vintage together. Kendricks has been celebrated during her time here as a performer and educator- she has earned three Grammys with the vocal supergroup, saje, and has released two solo albums on her own label. Her mastery of vocal improvisation is aided by perfect pitch and tremendous range. Through all of that, she has been a active member of the jazz community and raised a family that includes twin girls. For two final nights, we have the opportunity to not say good-bye, but to say thankyou and good luck moving forward. I’m guessing friends will drop by to contribute. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Andrew Friedrich Trio

featuring Steve Rodby & Chris Icasiano

Thu Jun 11, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

The musical journey of guitarist Andrew Friedrich has taken him from Boston to Austin, Colorado and now here in Seattle. He makes his SJF debut in formidable fashion- a trio featuring legendary bassist and producer, Steve Rodby. Rodby’ career includes a decades-long run with another guitarist- the great Pat Metheny. Friedrich adds drummer Chris Icasiano to the mix, a perfect fit for this particular gathering of musicians. Friedrich’s style incorporates the traditional aspects of the jazz guitar lineage, while adding a modern component that is ultimately expressive and technically brilliant. Rodby doesn’t play out all that often, so this is a great opportunity to see him perform in a setting where he should have plenty of space in the musical conversation. Icasiano’s ability to articulate what his partners are engaged with and make them and the band as a whole sound better is renowned. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Milo Petersen Quintet

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

Guitarist Milo Petersen is a veteran presence on the Seattle jazz scene. A longtime first-call guitarist, Petersen’s influence on Seattle jazz is personified by the legion of local and national players he has mentored. For this performance, he turns to SRJO mates in veteran bassist Phil Sparks and trombonist Connor Eisenmenger, along with drummer Greg Campbell and saxophonist Steve Griggs, to form a quintet of Seattle vintage. The band will present original tunes and standards. There is a ton of common ground with these players, over decades of time, so it’s bound to be swinging. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Jun Iida Quartet

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

Trumpeter Jun Iida left Seattle for New York a short time ago. His return to perform at the Seattle Jazz Fellowship has Seattle written all over it however, with a new album, Bellflower set for a June 19 release on Seattle based OA2 / Origin Records label. Iida will celebrate with a Seattle based quartet featuring bassist Michael Glynn and drummer Sutton Marley. Bellevue’s Roman Goron joins on piano, a young, local sensation currently studying at Juilliard in NYC. Iida’s highly melodic and visual original tunes will be featured, including new selections from the upcoming album. A good opportunity to welcome a couple of good friends home as well. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Miles Electric Band

Thu Jun 18, 8 PM / Town Hall

Earshot jazz joins the Miles 100 celebration by presenting the Miles Electric Band at Town Hall. Organized by Davis nephew Vince Wilburn, the band convenes veterans of Miles Davis’ electric era. Bassist Daryl Jones, guitarist Jean Paul Bourelly, keyboardist Robert Irving III and Wilburn all collaborated directly with Davis. Trumpeter Keyon Harrold and saxophonist Antoine Roney are among the notable new generation players on the gig. This is essentially the same crew that played the Moore, in what now seems like a century ago in 2018, the notable exception being Harrold replacing Jeremy Pelt on trumpet. Harrold is undoubtedly up to the task. This should be a fun night, and an interesting test for the venerable Great Hall to handle a little volume! https://www.earshot.org/event/celebrating-the-miles-davis-centennial-with-meb-miles-electric-band/

Louis Hayes

Tue Jun 23 – Wed Jun 24, 7:30 PM / Jazz Alley

Hailing from Detroit, eighty-nine year old drummer , Louis Hayes, is jazz history in person. He began in the mid-1950s with fellow Detroiters Yusef Lateef and Curtis Fuller, and went on to play with a plethora of jazz icons. Hayes is noted for his time with Cannonball Adderly, Horace Silver and Oscar Peterson, but his dance card is full of names like Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Kenny Barron, Woody Shaw and Dexter Gordon…….phew!!! The legendary drummer will arrive at Jazz Alley with the great Steve Nelson on vibes, David Hazeltine on piano, Abraham Burton on saxophone and dynamic bassist, Dezron Douglas. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=8788