Thursday Live Jazz

November 15, 2007 / / No Comments

Here is what’s happening tonight in Seattle.

JAZZ ALLEY: Tuck and Patti

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Sonando

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM:
Tarik Abouzied Quartet

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Byron Vannoy’s Meridian, with Byron Vannoy (drums), Chris Symer (bass), Kacey Evans (keyboards), Chris Spencer (guitar), and Eric Barber (saxophones) [Website] ($8 cover)
** SEATTLE JAZZ SCENE SAYS, “GO SEE THIS SHOW!” **

9pm – Doug Acosta CD Release, with Primo Kim (piano), Chris Clark (bass), Ken French (drums) and Jim Day (guitar) [Website] ($15 cover – includes a signed copy of Doug’s CD!)

THAIKU: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson, Tad Britton

NEW ORLEANS: Ham Carson Quintet

What to hear tonight (Tuesday)

November 13, 2007 / / No Comments

Here is a short list of what to go see tonight:

JAZZ ALLEY: Tuck and Patti
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Emerald City Jazz Orchestra
EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: John Nelson CD Release with special guest Alice Stuart (7pm)
THE NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband
OWL ‘N THISTLE: Bebop and Destruction Jam Session
DEXTER & HAYES PUBLIC HOUSE: Tim Kennedy Trio

And mark your calendars for Wednesday night:

THE HENDRIX LOUNGE: Special quartet performance featuring Thomas Marriott (trumpet); Mark Taylor (saxophones); Paul Gabrielson (bass); Matt Jorgensen (drums)

MCMC Benefit Concert with Wayne Horvitz – Nov. 14

November 13, 2007 / / No Comments

The roaring engine behind last summer’s free of charge, out of doors, creative music concert series, Sounds Outside, and winners of the 2006 Earshot Golden Ear Award for Concert of the Year (for the Raymond Scott Project), the Monktail Creative Music Concern has been working tirelessly for the last 10 years to propagate uncompromising creative artistic events in the Pacific Northwest. This week we ask you to join us in raising funds and celebrating the next wave of MCMC activities.

Monktail Creative Music Concern Benefit Concert
featuring Wayne Horvitz, Paul Rucker, Stephen Fandrich

Wednesday, November 14th 2007, 7 PM
Gallery 1412
1412 18th Ave (at 18th and Union)
$10-$25 suggested donation / All Ages
www.monktail.com

Seattle is a hotbed of creative activity right now, and is being hailed as one of the most dynamic and supportive artistic communities in the county. This is very much due to organizations like the MCMC who are constantly generating new adventures for artists and audiences alike. Things are difficult in today’s world, and the arts are certainly feeling the impact of that fact. We can’t wait for opportunities, we must create our own, and let’s face it, that takes a big vision, some intense motivation, and well, to put it frankly, a lot of cash. So come on people, throw down!!!

Internationally acclaimed pianist / composer Wayne Horvitz, along with cellist / composer / installation artist Paul Rucker, and pianist / composer / vocalist Stephen Fandrich, have generously donated their time and creative energy for Wednesday’s event, in support of the Concern. Please join us for this usually intimate performance experience with three of Seattle’s finest.

Up-Coming Alerts

November 12, 2007 / / No Comments

Friday, November 23 – Tula’s
Thomas Marriott Live Recording!
Trumpeter Thomas Marriott is documenting this night at Tula’s for a future release on Origin Records. Joining him is Marc Seales on piano, Jeff Johnson on bass and John Bishop on drums. Come and be a part of history! Call 206-443-4221 for reservations. {more info}

Friday, November 30 – The Ballard Jazz Walk
The fall edition of the popular Jazz Walk will take over historic downtown Ballard on Friday, November 30th, with 16 groups performing in 12 venues and will celebrate 10 years of Origin Records. Scheduled to perform is Chicago guitarist John McLean, saxophonist Hadley Caliman, Portland’s Upper Left Trio, Thomas Marriott, Brent Jensen, John Stowell and many more. Tickets will go on sale at the beginning of November so check back for more information. {more info}

December 6 – 9 – Jazz Alley
Mike Stern Band
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley presents four-time Grammy nominated guitarist Mike Stern for four nights. Supporting Stern is Anthony Jackson (bass), Bob Franceschini (saxophone) and Dave Weckl (drums). {more info}

December 11 – 12 – Jazz Alley
The Moutin Reunion Quartet
Returning to Seattle after their memorable appearance at April’s Ballard Jazz Festival, the Moutin brothers are supporting their new release, Sharp Turns, a CD/DVD release recorded live at Chicago’s Skokie Theater. {more info}

It’s a rainy Monday

November 12, 2007 / / No Comments

Here are a couple show happening tonight.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Darin Clendenin Jazz Jam
NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Quintet

From the Earshot Jazz Calendar
TRIPLE DOOR MAINSTAGE: Hauschka: A Singular Fellow
A singular young man, indeed, Hauschka isn’t quite jazz, but he’s not quite anything in particular, but rather…well, singular, like we just said. He plays a mean prepared piano in a way that recalls the repetitive insistence of Phillip Glass, but he’s far more intent on appeal to musical receptors of varied preparation than even that studiously accessible master of modern composition. Hauschka, a Dusseldorf–based pianist and composer born Volker Bertelmann, clamps wedges of leather, felt, and rubber between the piano strings; prepares the hammers with sheets of aluminum or other stuff; sticks corks on the strings; weaves guitar strings around the piano’s innards; or fixes strings with gaffer tape. The outcomes, when he plays the piano, are far from novel; pianos and other keyboard instruments have been being prepared for centuries – church organs and harpsichords, in their design; pianos, in some early designs and particularly in the hands of early-to-middle 20th-century innovators like Erik Satie, Henry Cowell, and John Cage. But Hauschka is remarkable for producing a friendly and accessible but still bewitching range of tonalities, registers, and textures, and wedding them to bubbling, compelling music that could liven up radio programming of many eclectic ilks, and yet could air on pop radio without horrifying the commercial sponsors and habit-bound listener. There are strong hints of electronica, but the repetitive, jangling textures of his work really emphasize, and utilize, more than anything, that the piano is a percussion instrument, and that its expected sounds are not ones it necessarily must emit. Hauschka’s music is really quite charming.

Full day of jazz at Tula’s and more

November 11, 2007 / / No Comments

It’s Sunday so that means there is a double-bill at Tula’s and lots more happening in Seattle.

TULA’S:
The Jazz Police Big Band (3-7pm)
Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra (8:00pm)

JAZZ ALLEY: Bob James Quartet
SERAFINA: Jazz Brunch with the Conlin Roser Duo (11:30am – 1:00pm)
GALLERY 1412: Gust Burns / Jeffrey Allport duo
TUTTA BELLA (Wallingford): Casey MacGill & Blue 4 (5:30pm)
NEW ORLEANS: John Holte Radio Rhythm Orchestra directed by Pete Leinnonen
TRIPLE DOOR MAINSTAGE: Hiroshima
TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Sunday Night Salsa: Rhythm Syndicate

And no Sunday would be complete without a jam session …
GRATZIE SUNDAY NIGHT JAM SESSION featuring The Reuel Lubag Trio
6:00 – 9:00pm
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy SE
Bothell, WA
(425) 402-9600

Saturday: CD Release Party and more!

November 10, 2007 / / No Comments

Lots of shows to check out tonight … here are our recommendations.

TULA’S: CD RELEASE PARTY
Brent Jensen / Bill Anschell / Jeff Johnson / John Bishop
Celebrating the release of “One More Mile” on Origin Records.
2214 2nd Ave, Seattle, 98121
Show starts at 8:30pm
Call for reservations: 206-443-4221

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Overton Berry Trio
BAKE’S PLACE: Gail Pettis Trio
TUTTA BELLA: The Djangomatics
GALLERY 1412: apostrophe 11
JAZZ ALLEY: Bob James Quartet
VINO BELLA (Issaquah): Fred Hoadley Trio

Jensen/Anschell/Johnson/Bishop CD Release Concert at Tula’s this Saturday, November 10th

November 9, 2007 / / No Comments

Saxophonist Brent Jensen, pianist Bill Anschell, bassist Jeff Johnson, and drummer John Bishop will celebrate the release of their new Origin Records CD, “One More Mile.”

Saturday, November 10 – Tula’s Jazz Club
2214 2nd Avenue
Seattle, WA

Call for reservations: 206-443-4221
Music starts at 8:30pm
Tickets: $15

Jensen, who is heard exclusively on soprano sax on “One More Mile,” is based in Twin Fall, Idaho, where he heads the College of Southern Idaho’s jazz program. His 2002 recording, “The Sound of a Dry Martini: Remembering Paul Desmond,” charted at the #1 position on jazz radio stations across the country, and his other CDs have also enjoyed widespread airplay and critical praise. Anschell, Johnson and Bishop are first-call Seattle musicians who perform and record together frequently, both as the Wellstone Conspiracy trio and as a unit backing other jazz artists. All three have extensive recording discographies, and have toured both nationally and internationally. While they have performed with Jensen throughout the northwest, and recorded with Jensen backing Boise vocalist Jeff Baker, this is the quartet’s first release. “One More Mile” features a mix of standards and originals by Anschell and Johnson; the Seattle performance will add originals by Jensen, as well as lesser-known compositions by Lee Konitz and other jazz innovators.

Click here for more information about the new release, One More Mile

It’s Friday … what are you going to see tonight?

November 9, 2007 / / No Comments

Here are some shows tonight:

Tula’s Jazz Club: Greta Matassa Quartet
Jazz Alley: Bob James Quartet
Hiroshi’s: Karen Shivers & guests
Gallery 1412: Gust Burns/Jeffrey Allport Duo
Vino Bella (Issaquah): Fred Hoadley Trio
Egan’s Ballard Jam House: John Worley and Worlview 5.0 (from San Francisco – 9pm)
Serafina: The Djangomatics
Latona Pub: Leif Todasek and Phil Sparks (5:30 – 7:30pm)
Triple Door Musiquarium Lounge: The Cosmonauts Brazilian Jazz Band

Triple Door Mainstage: CéU: Samba Futures
From Earshot Jazz Calendar Listing: CéU is the most-heralded Brazilian songstress in some time, with good reason. With a voice as from some celestial reaches, a deep sense of the vaunted traditions from which she draws, and also a healthy disregard for just doing things in the same, old same-old way, she treads a pathway to samba’s future. She deploys electronics and stylistic innovations to great effect, which may offend the “purists,” if there could be any sense in claiming a “pure” samba, anyway. Not to miss.

Thursday Jazz

November 8, 2007 / / No Comments

Some gigs happening tonight:

Jazz Alley: Bob James Quartet
Tula’s: Kelley Johnson Vocal Showcase
New Orleans: Ham Carson Quintet
Asteroid Cafe: Tim Kennedy Jam Session (9:30pm)

What else is happening? Post what you are going to see tonight in the Comments section.

Seattle PI: Earshot’s closing act goes to extremes

November 8, 2007 / / No Comments

By ROSS SIMONINI
SPECIAL TO THE P-I

John Zorn and his Moonchild band needed no warm-up act Sunday night, the closing show of the Earshot Jazz Festival. Zorn is an underground legend, known for his prolific output and subversive experiments in rock, classical, klezmer and, most notably, jazz.

Consisting of cult icon Mike Patton (former singer of Faith No More), metal bassist Trevor Dunn and the virtuosic drummer Joey Baron — who played what appeared to be a hundred-piece drum set — Moonchild is Zorn’s newest, most riotous project. Instead of performing in the group, Zorn acts as composer and musical director, masterminding the show from his mixing board. The Earshot spokesman introduced the group by saying, “If you have a cell phone, turn it up, cause this band is LOUD.”

{Read the entire review at The Seattle PI}

Seattle PI: Horn-heavy October Trio loses its unconventional edge

November 8, 2007 / / No Comments

By BILL WHITE
SPECIAL TO THE P-I

Vancouver’s October Trio should go back to being a trio. Brad Turner, who produced their most recent CD, “Day In,” is a fine trumpet player, but his presence in the lineup forces the music into conventional structures that are contrary to the nature of the compositions.

Most of the music is written by bassist Josh Cole. Built on bass lines that are easily transferable to Evan Arntzen’s saxophone, they become rigid when arranged for two horns. The requisite soloing that follows the thematic statement is divided between Arntzen and Turner in such a predictable way that the music grows rigid, a series of historic poses. Individual personality is sacrificed to the emulation of models from Chet Baker and Gerry Mulligan to John Coltrane and Miles Davis.

{Read the entire review at The Seattle PI}

Wednesday Jazz

November 7, 2007 / / No Comments

Go out and hear live music tonight!

The Hendrix Lounge: Origin Records’ regular Wednesday night gig in Columbia City tonight will feature John Bishop on drums, Jeff Johnson on bass and Rick Mandyck on guitar. The music starts at 9:00pm and it only costs $5.

Tutta Bella: Before heading over to the Hendrix Lounge, how about grabbing a bite to eat at Tutta Bella and listen to Katy Bourne and Randy Halberstat? The music starts at 6:30 and there is no cover!

Egan’s Ballard Jam House: Vocal Jam hosted by Carrie Wicks (8:00pm)

Tula’s Jazz Club: Greta Matassa Jazz Workshop

Jazz Alley: Steve Smith and Vital Information

The New Orleans: The Legend Band with Clarence Acox

Thaiku: Ron Weinstein Trio

And starting tonight!

Hammond B3 organist Joe Doria is starting a new weekly Wednesday night gig at The Victory Lounge (the old Lobo Lounge) with his longtime trio featuring Chris Spencer on guitar and Byron Vannoy on drums.

Every Wednesday
THE VICTORY LOUNGE
433 Eastlake Ave East {map it}
206.382.4467

Music starts at 9:30pm; $5 cover

Tuesday Jazz

November 6, 2007 / / No Comments

Here are some events happening tonight … most venues are linked on the right …

Egan’s Ballard Jam House: Susan Pascal and Dave Peterson (7:00pm)
Jazz Alley: Steve Smith and Vital Information
Triple Door Musicquarium: Rachel Bade-McMurphy
New Orleans: Holotradband
Tula’s: Jay Thomas Big Band

And for those who are looking for a jam session … Tuesday nights is when Seattle’s jazz musicians gather at the Owl ‘n Thistle for the weekly jam session with Bebop and Destruction.

The Owl ‘n Thistle
808 Post Ave
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 621-7777

Alex Ross and Ben Ratliff discuss Jazz, Pop and Classical

November 6, 2007 / / No Comments

From Slate.com … an interesting email dialogue between two New York writers regarding composer/artists, audiences and perceptions of jazz and classical music.

People tend to listen to various kinds of music over the course of the day: rock at the gym, jazz on the drive home, maybe a little Vivaldi while waiting at the dentist’s office for the root canal. There’s a long tradition of mixed-genre listening in American culture: As Joseph Horowitz notes in his book Classical Music in America, opera houses in the 19th century would offer Don Giovanni together with “Ethiopian songs, choruses, solos, duets, jigs, fancy dances, etc.” Yet conversations about music always seem to take place within a particular genre. Our concept in this Slate Dialogue is to converse for a day or two across the walls of specialized taste. I write mostly about classical music for The New Yorker, though I’ve touched on pop. You write about various kinds of music for the New York Times, with an emphasis on jazz. You have an excellent new book on John Coltrane, telling the story of his sound and analyzing his complex place in the wider culture.

Click here to read the entire article.

New Wednesday Night Gig – Joe Doria Trio

November 5, 2007 / / No Comments

Hammond B3 organist Joe Doria is starting a new weekly Wednesday night gig at The Victory Lounge (the old Lobo Lounge) with his longtime trio featuring Chris Spencer on guitar and Byron Vannoy on drums.

Every Wednesday
THE VICTORY LOUNGE
433 Eastlake Ave East {map it}
206.382.4467

Music starts at 9:30pm; $5 cover

Today – Jazz Vespers

November 4, 2007 / / No Comments

Seattle Jazz Vespers features “Hot Club Sandwich” on Sunday, November 4, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the historic Gothic sanctuary of Seattle First Baptist Church: 100 minutes of popular jazz with an inspirational interlude. The concert is f-r-e-e, family-friendly and the dress is casual. Located at the corner of Harvard, Union and Seneca Streets on First Hill near Madison and Broadway. F-r-e-e lighted adjacent parking. For more information, visit http://www.SeattleJazzVespers.org

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The Local Scene Tonight

November 3, 2007 / / No Comments

There are always a million options of music on any given night. Here are a couple of options for tonight in addition to the Earshot Jazz Festival.

CHUCK DEARDORF GROUP at Third Place Commons
First call Seattle bassist leads his group featuring Bill Anschell on piano and John Bishop on drums for a concert at Third Place Commons in Lake Forest Park starting at 8:00pm. The show is free. 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA

MORE ZERO at Egan’s Ballard Jam House
The show starts late (11:00pm) but it might be the perfect show to check out after the Earshot Jazz Festival. Trombonist Chris Stover leads this group of Seattle’s finest through a set of original music.

GARY HOBBS TRIO at Bake’s Place
Portland drummer Gary Hobbs performs in a trio setting with Marc Seales on piano and Dave Captein on bass.

MARCO de CARVALHO at Tutta Bella Columbia City
Brazilian guitarist Marco de Carvalho always is enjoyable and with the early start time of 7:00pm this would be the perfect opportunity to catch a bite to eat before Earshot and also check out some great local jazz.

Saturday Night at Earshot

November 3, 2007 / / No Comments

The Earshot Jazz Festival goes out with a bang this weekend. Here is tonight’s sampling:

Tula’s Restaurant, 8:30pm
Aaron Goldberg Trio
The Brooklyn-based pianist, a Thelonious Monk Competition winner who toured with Joshua Redman and Wynton Marsalis, leads a sophisticated trio that boasts a stellar, rhythm section: bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Eric Harland.
$18 general / $16 discount CALL 206-443-4221 FOR RESERVATIONS

Triple Door, 7:30pm
Elspeth Savani and Orchestra Zarabanda
Orchestra Zarabanda, a 12-piece Seattle-based dance band whose irresistible repertoire is inspired by the great Cuban orquestas and son groups of the last century, classic New York salsa/charanga and Cuban folkloric music.
$15 general

Chapel Performance Space, 8pm
October Trio w/ Brad Turner
Evan Arntzen (sax), Josh Cole (bass), and Dan Gaucher (drums) took the CBC’s Galaxie Rising Stars Award at Vancouver International Jazz Fest 2006. With standout trumpeter Brad Turner, they occupy the cutting edge of our neighbor to the north.
$15 general / $13 discount

Nordstrom Recital Hall, 7:30pm
Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra:
Great american songbook iv
UW sax professor Michael Brockman and ace drummer/educator Clarence Acox direct this local big band of all-star instrumentalists for “Great American Songbook IV,” featuring vocalists Greta Matassa, Bernie Jacobs, James Caddell, and others.

SRJO begins 13th Season this weekend

November 2, 2007 / / No Comments

SRJO begins 13th season with popular Great American Songbook concert

Dates, times and ticket prices:

– Saturday, November 3, 7:30pm
Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall (at Benaroya Hall)

– Sunday, November 4, 3:00pm
Kirkland Performance Center

Tickets: $15-$36

Available at:
– SRJO offices (206-523-6159) www.srjo.org

The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra (SRJO) will open its 2006-2007 concert series with the “Great American Songbook IV,” the always popular concerts featuring best-loved songs by great American composers such as George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington and others. Award-winning jazz vocalists Greta Matassa, James Caddell, and Bernie Jacobs will join the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra for this subscription season opener.

This is 13th annual concert series for the award winning orchestra. The concert featuring these great American song writers is one of the most popular in the orchestra’s repertoire. The “Great American Songbook IV” will be presented in the orchestra’s traditional two-concert format, one in Downtown Seattle and the other on the Eastside. The concerts will take place at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, November 3, in the Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall, and 3 p.m. Sunday, November 4, at the Kirkland Performance Center.

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