Seattle Jazz Scene

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

Seattle Jazz Beat is a weekly Substack 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

Earshot Jazz Festival

It’s October, and time for the Earshot Jazz Festival. Over the course of nineteen days, there are multiple concerts at multiple venues. Follow this link for previews of all festival events. https://www.earshot.org/current-issue-flipbook/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUxHC1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mBWJyaWQRMTBWb1J4dkdSNWduZjVmYXlzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeSn0sYjEpOrpg79aVBa3TYBg8D-joxE4htQZzk6qjnEU0LCsPDgMAn_1X8JY_aem_qr-flmqm8a8aFD9oArv-GA

Monday Night Jam at the 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/

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

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

Alex Dugdale Quintet

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

Saxophonist and tap artist Alex Dugdale leads a quintet to perform original tunes and standards. Dugdale will focus on tenor and a return to his unique way of integrating tap into modern post-bop jazz. Dugdale brings back his longtime rhythm section of pianist John Hansen, bassist Greg Feingold and drummer Max Holmberg. Connor Eisenmenger joins the band on trombone and trumpet, lending his unique talents. Dugdale shows are always fun, mixing musical virtuosity with entertainment value that stems from great energy and personality. The band has great continuity from many performances together, making this a can’t miss evening for jazz fans. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio

Thu Oct 15- Sun Oct 18, 7:30 & 9:30 PM / Jazz Alley

Seattle’s own Delvon Lamarr is living near Chicago these days, as his career evolves exponentially. It is always good to welcome him home, and groove to his unique blend of jazz, soul and funk. His current trio includes Oklahoma based guitarist Brice Calvin and Michigan drummer Ashley Ickes. The trio just played the prestigious Detroit Jazz Festival, on the heals of Lamarr being named Rising Star organist on the Downbeat Critic’s Poll. Lamarr is a virtuoso, who chooses to play music that makes people move–while this may be a gig in a classic, sit down jazz dinner club, you will not see anyone sitting still! But you can dig the virtuosity of the musicians and the imaginative improvisations of this formidable trio. The Colemine Records artist has a new single on the horizon, and other career shaking news that I’ll allow Lamarr to dispense when he pleases! On a personal note, Delvon is one of the best guys out there to support, just a good cat! Hope to see you there. UPDATE- Saxophonist Karl Denson has been added as a special guest https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=8824

George Colligan Trio

Fri & Sat Oct 16-17, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

It seems to me that we take master pianist George Colligan for granted here in Seattle. Perhaps it’s because he is our neighbor from Portland. Perhaps it is because his performances in Seattle are in trio with two of the Emerald City’s finest- bassist Michael Glynn and drummer Matt Jorgensen. Yet his personal history has included playing with some of the finest the genre has ever witnessed, including a sizable tenure in Jack DeJohnette’s band.

He has recently toured the U.S. and Canada as a leader with his trio featuring legends Buster Williams and Lenny White. With over 130 albums to date as an accompanist, Colligan has worked with a long list of jazz greats, including John Scofield, Buster Williams, Cassandra Wilson, Don Byron, Ravi Coltrane, Chris Botti, and many others. His latest album, “Live at The Jazz Standard” (Whirlwind Recordings 2025) is his 40th as a bandleader; the album features Linda may Han Oh and Jack DeJohnette and was a critic’s pick in Downbeat magazine.

To see an artist of this magnitude in the intimate space that houses SJF, is a rare opportunity, and one to be taken advantage of. The two night engagement is a highlight on the Seattle jazz calendar in October. This trio has put up some serious mileage together, and has developed a wonderful sense of spontaneity. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Buster Williams Trio

featuring George Colligan & Domo Branch

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

One of the true greats of jazz, bassist Buster Williams has performed with more historic masters of the genre than I can name here. Let’s start with Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock and allow ourselves to do some research from there. The great pianist and SJF friend George Colligan recently toured with Williams and drummer Lenny White, two of his all-time jazz heroes. Here, young drummer Domo Branch sits behind the kit, someone Colligan mentored during Branch’s formative years in Portland. Williams is playing like the bassist we’ve seen perform with Sphere, Nancy Wilson, and others over the years in Seattle. In fact, he was on Miles Davis’ sets at The Penthouse in the mid and late sixties when Ron Carter chose not to play the west coast dates with the trumpeter’s classic second great quintet. He is still writing and performing at the highest level, and releasing new music on record. Be there. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Rivkah Ross Quartet

Fri Oct 3, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

Portland drummer Rivkah Ross leads a quartet through originals snf some arrangements from Roy Haynes. Ross will be joined by fine pianist Patrick Carr, bassist Kaytlin Hansen and saxophonist Brian Myers. Whatever else happens on stage, one thing for sure- it will be swingin’. Ross swings like it’s an art form, and has a very bright and energetic presence. The music is straight-ahead swing and bebop orientation with interesting diversions along the way. This continues the connection with the scene of our good friends and neighbors to the south in Portland. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Bill Anschell Standards Trio

Sat Oct 24, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

Pianist Bill Anschell brings his standards oufit to the Fellowship, featuring the great Jeff Johnson on bass and fleet drummer D’Vonne Lewis. This trio has a ton of mileage together, never rehearses and doesn’t carry a set list to the stage. The result is three great jazz musicians in spontaneous conversation, with a degree of uncertainty that always turns up peak moments along the way of vituosic performance. One of the prime ingredients of the Seattle jazz scene now for more than a decade, ranking near the top of piano trios in the city’s storied jazz history. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Jeremy Pelt Sextet

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

Internationally acclaimed trumpeter Jeremy Pelt hits SJF, with a top flight quintet. Pelt has authored more than twenty albums as a leader, and has toured and recorded extensively on a global scale. His quintet features outstanding young drummer Jared Spears, vibraphonist Jalen Baker, guitarist Misha Mendelenko, bassist Leighton Harrell and pianist Lasse Corson. Seattle jazz fans are accustomed to seeing Pelt perform at Jazz Alley, making this appearance at the basement club in Pioneer Square an opportunity to see the trumpeter in a more intimate environment. First come, first served situation, so adjust your arrival time accordingly. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Kerry Politzer

Sat Oct 31, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

Pianist Kerry Politzer returns to Seattle Jazz Fellowship, arriving from Portland with something a little different. In her past appearances, she has featured a jazz quartet performing original compositions, including those on her excellent 2025 release, Alternate Route. This time she teams up with Seattle stalwarts Milo Petersen (guitar) and Michael Glynn (bass) to present a selection of Brazilian and Bossa Nova tunes. George Colligan joins on drums.

Politzer has a Brazilian ensemble in Portland, Bossa PDX, and brings those tunes to share with her Seattle friends. A brilliant pianist with beautiful touch and feel, the interest here is applying her high end jazz skills to the music of Bossa masters. Petersen and Glynn are jazz cats as well, and like Politzer, have been first call musicians long enough to have delved into the whole spectrum of the jazz lexicon. Drummer Colligan is an iconic jazz pianist, and unknown to many, a great percussionist as well. Make you way through the ghosts and goblins on Halloween to Pioneer Square for this one. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org