Seattle Jazz Scene

A hard-swinging piano trio led by Danny Kolke will be featured in highlights from this month’s Art of Jazz concert at the Seattle Art Museum airing at 2 PM Sunday, January 18 on 88.5 KPLU and streaming at kplu.org. The concert broadcast includes standards, spirituals and blues by the trio which includes Danny Kolke, piano, Jon Hamar, bass and Greg Williamson on drums. The trio plays regularly on Sunday evenings at Boxley’s in North Bend and has recorded two CDs live at the club and issued on Pony Boy Records.

Danny Kolke is also the manager of Boxley’s, a family-friendly restaurant which features live jazz seven nights a week. Student musicians get a chance to try the stage on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and the pros play Thursday through Sunday. Danny’s a father of three young musicians himself, and is a volunteer teacher of a jazz band at Mt.Si High School.

Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88.5 KPLU. The program airs Sundays at 2 PM Pacific and streams at kplu.org. Jazz Northwest is also available as a podcast at jazznw.org following the broadcast.

The Art of Jazz series is presented by Earshot Jazz and coordinated by John Gilbreath in cooperation with the Seattle Art Museum, with support from KPLU. The next concert in the series will feature singer Eugenie Jones on February 12 at 5:30 pm. The concerts on the second Thursday of each month are free and open to the public at SAM.

photo by Jim Levitt

The mercurial Matt Wilson is an incendiary drummer and band leader.  Never predictable, his deep sense of swing and the joy of making music permeates every performance, whether he’s sideman or leader.  Jazz Northwest is pleased to present this performance which was at the conclusion of Centrum’s Jazz Port Townsend for 2014.  Joining Matt Wilson in his Arts & Crafts group are regular members Terrell Stafford on trumpet and Martin Wind on bass, plus pianist Dawn Clement and guitarist Anthony Wilson  (no relation).

The music ranges from originals by Matt Wilson and Terrell Stafford to a piece by Rahsaan Roland Kirk, folk songs and poetry, and a Beatles anthem. The band’s enthusiastic approach to making music ignited the large audience in McCurdy Pavilion where this concert took place.

Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88.5 KPLU.  The program airs Sundays at 2 PM Pacific and is streamed at kplu.org.  A podcast of the program is available following the broadcast.

Miles Davis is still one of the most influential figures in jazz, even after more than twenty years since his death (1991). On what would have been his 88th birthday on May 26, a section of 77th Street in New York City where he lived and composed some of his most memorable music was renamed Miles Davis Way.

In Seattle on May 24, a quintet of Seattle musicians gathered on stage at Tula’s to play some of the music composed and played by Miles Davis and members of the groups he led, including Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock. Playing for a full house of enthusiastic fans, trumpet player Thomas Marriott led a quintet with Mark Taylor, saxophones, Darrell Grant, piano, Evan Flory-Barnes, bass and Matt Jorgensen on drums. The music reflected several distinct periods and styles of Miles Davis multi-faceted career as trumpet player, bandleader and catalyst.

The two sets of music were recorded for broadcast and highlights from the second annual “Miles Night” at Tula’s will air on Jazz Northwest, Sunday, June 1 at 2 PM Pacific on 88.5 KPLU, and stream at kplu.org. The program will also be available as a podcast. Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88.5 KPLU.

LISTEN TO A PREVIEW:

MORE INFO:

thomasmarriott.net
tulas.com
milesdavis.com
jazznw.org

This week on Jazz Northwest (Sundays, 2 PM on 88.5 KPLU), new releases by The Danny Kolke Trio + Pete Christlieb “Live at Boxley’s” and Nelda Swiggett’s Stringtet, with her trio + two musicians from the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. Plus a sampling of music in the week to come with Bill Watrous, Fred Hersch and The Mercer Island High School Jazz Ensemble 1 and news of the best bets for live jazz.

Jazz Northwest is produced and hosted by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88.5 KPLU. The programs airs Sundays at 2 PM Pacific on 88.5 KPLU and streaming live at kplu.org . The program is also available as a podcast.

In 1957, Duke Ellington completed and presented “Such Sweet Thunder” in concert for the first time. Working with Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington composed a suite of musical portraits of characters from Shakespeare’s plays; Hamlet, Lady MacBeth, Caesar, Cleopatra, Henry V, Iago and others. In two unique performances last month, The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra was joined by actors from the Seattle Shakespeare Company to perform the Ellington suite with related excerpts from Shakespeare’s plays.

The complete concert will be broadcast in two parts on Jazz Northwest on 88.5 KPLU. Part 1 will air on Sunday, March 9 at 2 PM Pacific, and Part 2 will air one week later on Sunday, March16 at 2 PM Pacific.

Actors from The Seattle Shakespeare Company include Hana Lass, Darragh Kennan and George Mount, The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra is co-directed by Clarence Acox and Michael Brockman. The concert performance was recorded at Kirkland Performance Center on February 16.

Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88.5 KPLU. It is also available as a live stream and a podcast after the broadcast at kplu.org .

For more information:
srjo.org
seattleshakespeare.org
jazznw.org

This week on Jazz Northwest features highlights from an Emerald City Jazz Orchestra celebration of the Woody Herman Centennial at Tula’s in December as well as excerpts from Steve Griggs‘ Panama Hotel Jazz suite which will receive a full performance at The Seattle Art Museum on February 13.

Also included on this show are new CDs by Greg Williamson, Mercedes Nicole and Marc Seales as well as picks for live jazz in the coming week.

Jazz Northwest airs Sundays at 2 PM Pacific on 88.5 KPLU and is also streamed and available as a podcast at kplu.org following the broadcast. Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke, exclusively for 88.5 KPLU.

Jonathan Pugh grew up in Wenatchee and his first musical memories include standing by his Dad as he led the band at his Summer youth circus.  Later, he connected with Don Lanphere in Wenatchee and studied with him during his teen years.  It was mutual inspiration as Jonathan become a regular member of the Don Lanphere Quintet, touring and recording eight albums with the sax legend during his resurgent career.

Jonathan Pugh started on trumpet, but today focuses on the mellower cornet. He presently teaches in the Edmonds Schools. Joining him in this Art of Jazz concert from the Seattle Art Museum are Dave Peterson on guitar, Jon Hamar on bass and Max Wood on drums, all notable for their tone and swing.

The Art of Jazz Concerts are presented by Earshot Jazz, John Gilbreath, Executive Director and the Seattle Art Museum with the support of KPLU.  The series is now in its 17th year of free concerts presented on the third Thursday of each month from 5:30 to 7;30. The next concert on February 13 will feature the Steve Griggs “Panama Hotel” Quintet playing music inspired by the novel “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” by Jamie Ford, set in Seattle’s International District during the early 40s.

Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88.5 KPLU.  The program airs on Sundays at 2 PM Pacific and is streamed at kplu.org.  A podcast is also available following the broadcast.

more info:
earshot.org
seattleartmuseum.org
jazznw.org

Photo by Jim Levitt

A French singer and a Brazilian guitarist teamed up for a charming duo on the final night of Centrum’s Jazz Port Townsend 2013. Both Cyrille Aimée and Diego Figueiredo have busy solo careers but they find time to tour together since they first met at the Montreux Jazz Contest. They perform some Brazilian tunes and some French chansons, plus American standards . The combination of virtuosity and creative interplay won many new fans for the duo during their appearance at last Summer’s festival in Port Townsend.

The complete concert will be broadcast on Sunday, January 5 at 2 PM Pacific on 88.5 KPLU, concluding the series of broadcasts recorded last July at Jazz Port Townsend. The concert will also be streamed live at kplu.org, and will also be available as a podcast following the broadcast.

Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88.5 KPLU. The program airs Sundays at 2 PM Pacific.

More info:
centrum.org
cyrillemusic.com
diegofigueiredo.net
jazznw.org

This week on Jazz Northwest we’re starting the holiday season by revisiting some of our favorites: the Roosevelt Jazz Band’s “Jazz Nutcracker,” Don Lanphere’s “Year ‘Round Christmas” and Hans Teuber and Dave Peterson play “Silver Bells”. We’ll sample Jim Knapp’s new string orchestra “Scrape” plus Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra, Thomas Marriott and more.

Jazz Northwest airs Sundays at 2 PM Pacific on 88.5 KPLU, and streams at kplu.org. There is also a podcast available after the broadcast.

John Gilbreath, Executive Director of Earshot Jazz, will talk with Jim Wilke about the current Earshot Jazz Festival on Jazz Northwest on Sunday October 6. The 25th Earshot Jazz Festival began this week and will continue through November 17 with over 60 individual events at various locations around Seattle. Music on this program includes John Hollenbeck’s Claudia Quintet which will be appearing on Sunday, October 6 at the Poncho Theatre at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle.   Other groups  appearing at the festival and on this program include Dave Douglas, Darcy James Argue, Steve Treseler, Ingrid Jensen and Cuong Vu.

Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88.5 KPLU.  The program is broadcast Sundays at 2 PM Pacific and is streamed live at kplu.org.  A podcast of the program is also available immediately after broadcast.

More info:
earshot.org
jazznw.org

Bria Skonberg plays trumpet and sings as she leads an all-star sextet in concert at Centrum’s Jazz Port Townsend on Jazz Northwest on 88.5 KPLU on Sunday, September 29, 2013 at 2 PM PDT.  Born in Chilliwack, BC, she studied at Capilano University in North Vancouver BC before moving to New York.  She has been endorsed by veteran musicians and is active on the New York scene as well as an international touring star while still in her 20s.

She returned to the Pacific Northwest last summer to teach at the Jazz Workshop and perform on the mainstage at McCurdy Pavilion at Fort Worden.  Joining Bria Skonberg in this concert are Wycliffe Gordon, trombone, Dan Balmer, guitar, Randy Halberstadt, piano, Rodney Whittaker, bass and Matt Wilson, drums.

Bria Skonberg is playing at the Vancouver Dixiefest this weekend, with additional performances in Vancouver and Victoria next week as well as a Happy Hour performance at the Royal Room in Seattle (5 PM Oct .4) and Eastside Stomp in Kirkland (9 PM Oct.4) before continuing her West Coast tour.

Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88.5 KPLU.  The program airs at 2 PM Sundays and is also streamed live to the internet and available as a podcast after the broadcast at kplu.org.

More info:
briaskonberg.com
centrum.org/jazz
jazznw.org

Jazz Northwest this week will feature several new CDs by Northwest jazz artists, including former Seattle flutist and pianist Anne Drummond who has an active career in New York.   Several artists appearing at this Sunday’s Pony Boy Jazz Picnic have new or recent CDs on this show including The Greg Williamson Quartet, and Jay Thomas’ neo Boogaloo band, the Cantaloupes.   Also included is a new CD with the Miles Black Trio and guest saxophonist Grant Stewart recorded at The Cellar Jazz Club in Vancouver, BC, plus news about some of the best bets for live jazz in the Seattle region next week.

Jazz Northwest airs Sundays at 2 PM Pacific and is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88.5, KPLU. The program is also available as a streaming podcast at kplu.org following the broadcast.

Thomas Marriott solos with Centrum All Star Big Band directed by Clarence Acox (photo by Jim Levitt)

The Centrum All-Star Big Band directed by Clarence Acox played a Salute to Quincy Jones at Jazz Port Townsend last July, and Jazz Northwest was there to record the concert. The full-length concert broadcast will air on Sunday, September 1 at 2 pm (PDT) as part of a series of live concert recordings from this year’s festival.

Quincy Jones grew up in Seattle and attended Garfield High School. He got his first big band experience in Seattle, and it’s fitting that this Salute to Quincy Jones is directed by Clarence Acox, who has directed the multi-awarding winning jazz band program at Garfield High School for 35 years. He is also a professional drummer and co-director of the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra with Michael Brockman. Many musicians in this concert have played in both bands.

Selections by Quincy Jones include the Theme from Golden Boy, Stockholm Sweetnin’, The Midnight Sun Will Never Set, Quintessence and others.

Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke, exclusively for 88.5 KPLU. The program is also available as a podcast at kplu.org following the broadcast. Next concert in the series will feature René Marie and Sachal Vasandani on September 15.

Every Sunday afternoon at 2 we check out the local jazz scene with the latest CDs by resident musicians and on alternate weeks, location recordings that are available nowhere else! This week, there’s music from CDs by Jay Thomas, Chris Amemiya, Jovino Santos Neto, Larry Barilleau, Clipper Anderson and others. We’ll also remember Floyd Standifer and Don Lanphere.

Next week, we’ll begin a series of shows recorded on the mainstage of Centrum’s Jazz Port Townsend 2013. Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke for 88.5 KPLU. It airs at 2 PM Pacific and is available as a podcast at kplu.org following the broadcast.

The longest-running Jazz Festival in the Pacific Northwest is Jazz Port Townsend on the last weekend of July each year.  On Sunday, July 21 at 2 PM (PDT) on Jazz Northwest we’ll sample some of the world-class artists who’ll be at Jazz Port Townsend this year to teach workshops during the week and perform in concerts and intimate clubs on the weekend. Included in this preview are The Clayton Brothers, Steffon Harris (pictured), Anat Cohen, René Marie, Cyrille Aimée & Diego Figueiredo, and Anthony Wilson – Sunday at 2 on Jazz Northwest from 88.5, KPLU.

Jazz Northwest will be on hand again to record festival concerts for later broadcast.  Next week (7/21) on the program, highlights from an evening with the Joe Locke/Thomas Marriott Quartet at Tula’s will be featured.

Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88.5 KPLU and kplu.org.  The program is also available as a podcast at kplu.org following each broadcast.

For more info:
centrum.org/jazz
jazznw.org