Seattle Jazz Fellowship | Seattle Jazz Scene

Seattle Jazz Scene: Live Jazz Previews for Seattle

March 19, 2024 / Paul Rauch / No Comments

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

Seattle Jazz Beat is a weekly 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

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

Devin Gray Quartet

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

Drummer / compsoser Devin Gray is an adventurer in jazz and improvised music. His music hangs on the edge a bit, with the possibilities that come with that. He is enough post-bop jazz to appeal to straight-ahead listeners, and plays outside the lines enough to captivate those who gravitate towards other improvised forms. This is his second appearance at SJF, the first in the non-profit’s basement club. Gray is joined by a Seattle crew, featuring pianist Tim Kennedy, trumpeter Ray Larsen, and longtime Pat Matheny bassist and 15 time Grammy winner, Steve Rodby on bass. The personnel is certainly there to add life to Gray’s compositions and embark on a explorative evening of jazz music. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

JULIAN PRIESTER DAY

Fri Sept 25, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

It’s Julian Priester Day in Seattle, and yes, the maestro will be performing, band TBA. Come spend an evening celebrating the amazing career of the great trombonist, and his now forty seven year residency here in the Emerald City. Priester has a plethora of albums as a leader, and has appeared on some of the most important recordings in jazz history, including Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln’s seminal 1961 release, We Insist! He has toured and recorded with John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Sun Ra, Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, Johnny Griffin, McCoy Tyner and a host of others. Now 91 years of age, his day in Seattle is a day for us to give thanks and love to this true jazz master. UPDATE: Julian will be playing with Duende Libre– pianist Alex Chadsey, percussionist Jeff Busch and electric bassist Farko Dusomov. seattlejazzfellowship.org

Jerry Steinhilber Trio

Sat Sept 26, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

It’s always nice to welcome into town our eclectic neighbors from the north, as in drummer Jerry Steinhilber and crew from Bellingham, USA. Along with bassistKing Dahl and tenor saxophonist Josh Cook, the piano-less trio led by Steinhilber has gained stalwart status in the northwest corner of the state as well as Vancouver and Seattle. This will be the trio’s second appearance at SJF, the first being a great night of adventurous interpretations of original and standard compositions and a social component in terms of audience that was exceptional. The dedication and all-in nature of the trio and the crowd in attracts is simply a fun time built around music that is somewhat abstract with deep ties in the blues that is eclectic and receiveable.http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

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/

Isaiah Collier: Collier Plays Coltrane

Tue & Wed Sept 29, 30, 7:30 PM / Jazz Alley

Another Coltrane 100 gig, a week after Trane’s actual century mark. Yet, if there is a saxophonist in America worthy of creating a Coltrane homage within the spirit of the music, it is Isaiah Collier. A native of the south side of Chicago, Collier has shown himself to be one of the true bright lights on the scene, and certainly one of the most notable of new generation modern jazz players. Collier is a sonic explorer much like his hero in Trane, and will undoubtedly take the music and find new ground in it to traverse. He has finally been given a chance to play Jazz Alley, after appearing last time around at the Black and Tan Hall. One show hit, so make your reservation. Aside from Joe Lovano’s Coltrane 100 show at the Moore, this should be the gig most worthy of your Coltrane focus. Collier will be joined by pianist Davis Whitfiled, bassist Conway Campbell, and drummer Tim Regis. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=8818

Josh Rawlings Trio

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

Pianist Josh Rawlings returns to the Fellowship with his brothers-in-arms- longtime trio mates in bassist Nate Omdahl and drummer Adam Kessler. Rawlings has been performing in a number of different musical environments over the years, taking advantage of his versatility. His dates at SJF reveals his roots and training as a jazz pianist in the purest of forms- the jazz piano trio. The veteran threesome has developed a keen chemistry over the years, allowing for the music to be performed in the true spirit of things. The trio will be in house the entire weekend, playing behind vocalist Stina Grace on Saturday. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Stina Grace

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

Vocalist Stina Grace returns to the Fellowship for the first time since winning the Seattle-Kobe Female Jazz Vocalist competition last fall. She will revisist some of the tunes that enabled that honor, as well as some reimagined favorites. She will be backed by the Josh Rawlings Trio, on the heels of their engagement at SJF the night before! This is a good opportunity for the jazz vocal community to get behind the winner of the annual Seattle-Kobe tilt in the room that serves as the clubhouse for the larger Seattle jazz community. The vibe should be intimate, perfect for Stina’s vocal artistry. http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Marc Seales

Thu Oct 8, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

You knew it would happen. Iconic Seattle pianist Marc Seales retires from his professorship at the UW, and has more time to perform live around the city. Seales has found a home at SJF, and appears with different personnel and different musical challenges. In the process, we have been seeing the pianist and keyboardist in prime form, Band TBA http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Steve Smith Collective

Fri Oct 9, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 103 S. Main St.

Drummer Steve Smith gathers a formidable collective of Seattle jazz veterans for an evening of music at SJF. Smith met pianist Jon Alberts and bassist Paul Gabrielson in the late 1970’s as college students. Their musical and social connection runs deep. Guitarist Danny Godinez entered the fray around 2010, when Smith met him performing with Michael Schrieve’s Spellbinder. The four began playing together again in 2019 at Seattle Drum School, performing originals and music that gives a nod to Bill Frisell, Kurt Rosenwinkle and John Scofield. A fun night of music and fellowship at SJF! http://seattlejazzfellowship.org

Julian Priester

Sat Oct 10, 7:30 PM

Julian Priester is one of the best trombonists in jazz history. What makes his career even more extraordinary is that he has performed on a number of historic recordings aside from his own collection of titles as a leader on the Riverside and ECM labels. Max Roach, Abbey Lincoln, Duke Ellington, Sun Ra, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock and a host of other jazz icons have been the recipients of his artistry. At 91, Priester has been playing a monthly date at the Fellowship with a variety of the best of Seattle musicians. For this occasion, he teams up with Seattle jazz legends Marc Seales (piano) and Jeff Johnson (bass), along with drummer Byron Vannoy, the trombonist’s mate in his last great band, Priester’s Cue. A good night to see a historic musician and a band worthy of the task. http://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

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

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

Opinion/Editorial: The Time to Act is Now to Support Local Seattle Jazz

November 24, 2023 / Paul Rauch / No Comments

“Our mission is to build community, provide access to the mentorship cycle, incentivize excellence and to lower the barriers to access jazz for both performers and listeners.”

This quote from the original mission statement of the Seattle Jazz Fellowship states in no uncertain terms, the focus of the Seattle 401(c) 3 non-profit that has guided its journey from its point of inception in October 2021. This was when the fellowship initiated its “Fellowship Wednesdays” weekly affair at Vermillion Art Bar on Capitol Hill. While the non-profit has engaged in a variety of special events, the Wednesday series has presented live jazz featuring Seattle resident musicians with occasional out of town guests now for more than two years. It has provided a stage for Seattle jazz musicians to perform original music for an appreciative listening audience and be paid respectfully. While only one night a week, it has been a beacon of hope for the Seattle jazz scene that has lost its collective mainstages largely due to gentrification. The business model that guided jazz dinner clubs like the New Orleans Creole Restaurant in Pioneer Square and the iconic Tula’s Jazz Club in Belltown became obsolete. The price tag for the consumer became sky high, while the numbers needed to manage a successful business became impossible. An alternative was needed if the resident jazz scene in Seattle was to survive.

On Tuesday November 21, SJF founder Thomas Marriott announced that the December 6 edition of Fellowship Wednesdays would be the last staged at Vermillion, as the fellowship would be moving into its own space in Pioneer Square beginning in late January of 2024. The venue will be a pop-up affair in the historic Globe building near the intersection of First Avenue and Main St., smack dab in the middle of the neighborhood that not long ago was the heartbeat of Seattle nightlife. Programming will increase to “several” nights a week according to Marriott, increasing employment opportunities for musicians, and live jazz access for listeners. The non-profit’s logical next step is a large one, and will require a significant increase in support from the Seattle music community at large. Most importantly, it will require an “all in” support network from Seattle jazz musicians themselves. In an interview I conducted with Marriott that culminated in an All About Jazz article in February 2022, he stated, “It takes everybody showing up. It takes people getting off the bench and off the sidelines and saying,’I’m going to show up to this person’s gig because it’s good for all of us.’”

In essence, this is a calling to step up to the plate and hit it out of the park. The time is NOW. What is required is not a burden, but an act of love and respect for jazz music in Seattle, and the artists that provide the sounds. It is a call to the jazz audience to not only support the music with your dollars, but to show up and join in the fellowship and broad sense of community this music provides.

You can purchase a membership using the link below. If your personal income allows you to make a donation beyond standard membership, now is the time to do so. If your working life puts you in contact with personal and/or corporate entities that are possibly willing to support this venture, now is the time to begin that conversation. We can create something beautiful and long-lasting if we so wish–it’s up to us as a community. Do we want local, fair paying gigs in an inclusive environment that welcomes the public without typical financial barriers to access? The answer is definitely yes. It is now officially in our hands.

Buy a membership, volunteer your time, make a donation, show up–this is what is required of you. The exploding moment we have all been waiting for is here. Nobody is going to show up and be the savior of the local Seattle jazz scene–we are collectively just that. Marriott has set the foundation. It’s “go time” to take it from there and build our community. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/membership

Seattle Jazz Fellowship Presents: Orrin Evans & The Captain Black Big Band

June 30, 2022 / Paul Rauch / No Comments

“While the nonprofit has been acknowledged for providing a place for the resident Seattle jazz to thrive, it is equally important to note the Fellowship’s work in caring for the music itself.”

The Seattle Jazz Fellowship, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by trumpeter Thomas Marriott, was created in response to the loss of viable jazz stages showcasing the vibrant resident jazz scene in Seattle. While local jazz musicians and fans alike mourned the downfall of longtime resident haunts such as the New Orleans club and Tula’s Jazz Club, Marriott and a supportive group of like-minded community members sought an alternative to the traditional jazz supper club personified by the aforementioned institutions. Gentrification of the downtown core of the city had driven rents to such a level that sustaining a club that could also serve as a community hub had become difficult at best. Food and liquor sales became the life blood of these attempts, driving up the price of access to jazz fans, while wages for musicians hung at early 1980’s levels. Worse yet, musicians had to rely on the door or ticket receipts to be paid at all. Like many jazz scenes around the country not based in New York City, the best musicians had to leave town to have any hope of earning a living as a professional jazz musician. The story of the Seattle Jazz Fellowship (SJF) and its guiding principles first appeared in All About Jazz in February, 2022, in the article Seattle Jazz Fellowship: A New Beginning For Live Resident Jazz . To continue reading, click here https://www.allaboutjazz.com/seattle-jazz-fellowship-presents-orrin-evans-and-the-captain-black-big-band-captain-black-big-band

Seattle Jazz Fellowship Photo Gallery: Alex Claffy Quintet and The Fellowship ‘Ceptet at the Royal Room

February 9, 2022 / Paul Rauch / No Comments

The Seattle Jazz Fellowship, the city’s 501 (c) (3) jazz non-profit, has taken a hiatus from their weekly dates at Vermillion until April 20, when the Wednesday night program will re-ignite for another six week run. In the meantime, the organization founded by Thomas Marriott has turned its focus to presenting performances featuring the Fellowship ‘Ceptet, a rotating gathering of the best of the Seattle jazz scene. The seven piece ensemble opened for New York based bassist Alex Claffy and his quintet on Tuesday, February 8 at the Royal Room in Columbia City.

The ‘Ceptet performed compositions by trumpeter Marriott, along with a Thelonious Monk classic. Marriott was joined by a front line of altoist Alex Dugdale, tenorist Jackson Cotugno and trombonist David Marriott, Jr.. Pianist Marina Albero, bassist Trevor Ford and drummer D’Vonne Lewis held down the rhythm section.

Claffy’s quintet featured Portland born and raised tenorist Nicole Glover, and trumpeter Benny Benack III. The New York based band was all in on the hang in Seattle as well, attending both the Monday night jam at the Royal Room, and the Tuesday night jam at the Owl ‘n Thistle.

Photographers Jim Levitt and Lisa Hagen Glynn were there to document the event with their stellar photographic skill sets. Enjoy the results! To further explore the goings on with the Seattle Jazz Fellowship, visit their website at https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/