Seattle Jazz Scene: Live Jazz Previews for March
Martin Budde Trio
with Trevor Ford & Evan Woodle
Thu Mar 21, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.
Celebrating the release of his new trio album Backburner, on the Origin / OA2 label, guitarist Martin Budde leads a formidable trio for two sets at SJF. Drummer Evan Woodle would seem the perfect foil here, with his broad ranging style that features shimmering cymbal work. Bassist Trevor Ford has a definitive richness of tone, adventurous spirit and the ability to flat out swing. Things are lined up for the unknown to have interesting properties and open possibilities for an interesting musical journey.
Budde’s tunes have a folk-like quality to them, stemming from his musical upbringing around the folk and bluegrass scene in his native Alaska. His playing is more John Abercrombie than any folk adventurist however, using that harmonic framework to create open spaces to probe in this wide open trio. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events
Marcus Miller
Thu – Sun Mar 21 – 24, 7:30 & 9:30 PM / Jazz Alley
Bassist Marcus Miller is one of the true titans of the electric bass. With a career that now spans more than four decades, he has stayed on the course of change that was set in motion by his decade-long tenure with Miles Davis in the 1980’s. He has made an indelible mark with his compositional skills as well, penning tunes for records, film and television. No word on the band yet, but safe to assume this will be a fusion performance with a killin’ band. Stay tuned. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=7511
Beserat Tafesse Quartet
with Chris Icasiano, Matt Williams & Michael Glynn
Fri – Sat Mar 22 & 23, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.
It’s been awhile since we’ve seen a trombonist as an out and about bandleader in Seattle. Not since David Marriott’s Triskadekaband have we seen a band fronted by a trombonist as a regular part of the local club scene. It’s been fun watching Beserat Tafesse rise from a mildly tentative, highly trained musician, to a confident, clear voice and an aggressive, active bandleader. His powerful, full sound serves his melody based approach to soloing, utilizing on point long tones and rapid fire bursts.
Tafesse’s skillset in forming a band seems to be on the rise as well. Bad Luck and Fleet Foxes drummer Christopher Icasiano, Seattle first call bassist Michael Glynn and innovative pianist Matt Williams are so much more than a supporting rhythm section. Each brings a spirit of adventure to the stage, with a full weekend to explore where the quartet can go. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events
Orrin Evans Trio
featuring Robert Hurst & Mark Whitfield, Jr.
Tue Mar 26, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.
Orrin Evans is one of the most noted and influential pianists in jazz over the past twenty years. With fourteen albums released as a leader, he has shown us his artistry via piano trio, quartet and quintet settings, and large ensemble with his Captain Black Big Band. His friendship with trumpeter Thomas Marriott has enabled him to visit Seattle and become a friend of the local scene here. In this trio setting, he teams up with the great Robert Hurst on bass, and sensational young drummer, Mark Whitfield, Jr..
It can’t be overemphasized that to see musicians of this artistry in an intimate space like 109 S. Main is an extraordinary opportunity for Seattle jazz fans. Be sure to get there early to guarantee a spot. There is a cover, and SJF memberships do not apply to this date. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events
Jackson Cotugno Quartet
with Tim Kennedy, Stefan Schatz & Paul Gabrielson
Thu Mar 28, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.
It has been a lot of fun to see the rise of tenor saxophonist Jackson Cotugno on the Seattle scene. The young tenorist is on a lot of gigs these days, as well as leading his own quartet. Cotugno has benefited greatly from the oral tradition in the music, putting himself in positions to play with the majority of the major voices in Seattle jazz. His sound is old, comping favorably with pre-bop masters like Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster, but his spirit is adventurous and open minded, more taking cues from post-bop masters.
Cotugno is building his sound and approach among some of the best players in the city. Pianist Tim Kennedy, bassist Paul Gabrielson and drummer Stefan Schatz are top tier players that set the bar high for him, a challenge he takes on with great verve. The two set evening should be swingin’, and a delve into the adventurous spirit represented by its four participants. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events
Omar Sosa Quarteto Americanos
Tue – Wed Mar 27 & 28, 7:30 PM / Jazz Alley
Omar Sosa has been on a fascinating musical journey for quite some time now. He has created his sound by his real life adventures in Cuba, Africa, The United States, and during the pandemic shutdown, Spain. What we haven’t witnessed for thirty years is a tour like the current one, featuring American musicians. San Francisco cats, in bassist Ernesto Mazar Kindelan, drummer Josh Jones and saxophonist Sheldon Brown join Sosa in a band that features improvisation within jazz, latin and world forms. The performance will feature compositions from earlier in Sosa’s career, when he first arrived in San Francisco in the mid 1990’s. The ensemble more closely resembles a traditional jazz setup than in the recent past, giving newer fans a glimpse into something more experienced fans remember well from when Sosa first crossed the threshold into American jazz. His performances are always all in, honest and emotive.
https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=7510
Susan Pascal Quartet
with Bill Anschell, Chris Symer & John Bishop
Fri – Sat Mar 29 & 30, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.
Vibraphonist Susan Pascal has been a strong presence in Seattle jazz for quite some time, going back to establishing herself with a lengthy residency at the now shuttered Belltown jazz spot, Tula’s. While being one of the few vibes masters around town, she has always managed to put together outstanding bands. Her status as a strong female bandleader over the past twenty years has served as quantifiable inspiration for up and coming female players.
Pianist Bill Anschell is a major headliner in the city himself, and has performed with Pascal during the majority of her tenure as a bandleader. Drummer John Bishop is one of the most original percussion masters ever to rise in Seattle. Bassist Chris Symer is an exceptionally musical bassist, always offering melodic input into the mix aside from hanging on to the groove. Pascal’s vibe (pun intended) as a leader is one of equal partnership within the musical conversation. With these four conversationalists, it should be a fascinating narrative. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events