On the Scene: Live Jazz Previews for May
April showers bring May flowers alright- May blows in with hope of better weather and a slew of premier jazz dates on the schedule. The Seattle Jazz Fellowship returns with its Wednesday night series at Vermillion on Capitol Hill, including Julian Speaks!- an hour long listening and discussion group with jazz icon, and SJF artist-in-residence Julian Priester. Jazz Alley brings us great guitars, piano sensation Joey Alexander and DLO3. Samantha Boshnack makes a statement about uncomfortable subjects and the Racer Sessions return to the new venue on Capitol Hill. All this and more is out there in May- please look beyond the offerings here, they are meant as a suggestion, or a blaze on a trail to other things. The undeniable truth is that for the music to flourish, it must be supported by an enthusiastic live audience. So forget the livestream and get out and show your beautiful face in support of those presenting live jazz in Seattle.
Seattle Jazz Fellowship- Fellowship Wednesdays
Vermillion Art Bar/ 7:30 PM
Julian Speaks! A free listening and discussion forum with jazz icon Julian Priester, 5:30PM

May 25- Abbey Blackwell RAE/ Jun Iida Group
Bassist/composer Abbey Blackwell has a jazz canvas that is a mixture of fine and broad strokes. An innovator that operates in the moment, she exemplifies perfectly the concept of improvisation as “spontaneous composition”– the term prefered by SJF artist-in-residence Julian Priester. Blackwell will perform with her band RAE, featuring pianist/vibraphonist Matt Williams and drummer Evan Woodle. Trumpeter Jun Iida arrived on the Seattle scene just as the Covid-19 lockdown was put into place. In recent times he has been performing with a sparkling convergence that includes young saxophonist Jackson Cotugno and 200 Trio members Max Holmberg, Greg Feingold and Cole Schuster. Pianist Marina Albero, one of Seattle’s top headliners, fills out this seasoned ensemble. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Tuesday Jam at the Owl ‘n Thistle
Tuesday nights at 9:30 PM
The 26 year history of the Tuesday night jam at the Owl ‘n Thistle has been a major factor in creating community on the local jazz scene. Rising up post lockdown, the session was where the return to live jazz in Seattle began. Moving forward, it is essential in providing fellowship, mentorship and opportunity. In recent weeks, there has been a lack of musicians attending. As more feel comfortable getting out post-pandemic, the numbers should return. If you play, please consider contributing.