Seattle Jazz Scene: Live Jazz Previews for Seattle

Frank Kohl Quartet: Tribute to Jim Hall
Sun Feb 16, 5PM / Royal Room
To be frank (pun intended), I am not enamored with the overindulgence of “tribute” gigs. The sheer volume of them at this particular venue makes me want to scream, to be honest. That’s not to say that I don’t have a huge amount of respect for the legacy of the great Jim Hall – seeing the guitar master in duo with bassist Ron Carter was a transformative experience for me personally as a young jazz fan. That being said, I would much prefer to feature a local artist presenting original tunes, or a far less “programmed” performance of standards and / or covers.
This particular late matinee performance in Columbia City is truly an exception- it is strong personnel-wise, with trailblazing bassist Jeff Johnson and first-call drummer Matt Jorgensen in the house. Guitarist Frank Kohl plays in a style that would likely be best described as Jim Hall-esque. He is a master of harmonic improvisation, more Hallcentric than say, a blues influenced approach like that of Kenny Burrell. For this performance, he brings his piano playing sibling, Tom Kohl from New York. Note the 5 PM start, which may trigger an “old folks” alarm, but Sunday matinees are a good thing for those of us with Monday morning obligations. Good opportunity to have a Sunday night dinner at The Royal Room at the foot of some great players. https://www.facebook.com/events/904930915056268?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=rFNUvVSL3uGUXVfK&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F18mXXL3xcY%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr#

Monday Night Jam (all ages)
Mondays at 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.
The Monday jam in Pioneer Square is open and all ages with a sign up sheet. The curation and presentation is done extremely well. It is also an opportunity to hang as a community, have a drink with friends and support the music. The jam has developed quite an audience as well, and a young audience at that. The past four weeks has seen a full house with dozens of college aged jazz fans waiting to get in. Early arrival is advised- musicians planning to sign up and play will be allowed entrance no matter the crowd. Musicians now have a place to do there thing at a session in front of a large audience. The vibe and the overall scene of the session, including an audience that listens and participates has been thrilling, to say the least. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

There was a time, when Pioneer Square was the center of the Seattle jazz scene, with three jazz clubs beckoning music fans with local and touring talent. Parnell’s (now Davidson Gallery), The Pioneer Banque (now Magic Mouse Toys) and the New Orleans Creole Restaurant (Now Darn the Weather) are gone, but the Fellowship’s now year old jazz room on Main St. is dedicated to live jazz four nights a week near Occidental. Pioneer Square in the 1990’s featured a slew of clubs up and down First Avenue where partrons for the price of one cover, could hit ten clubs and see ten bands in a single evening. For this one Tuesday night in February, thirteen sites will deliver thirteen bands to jazz fans free of charge, reviving the spirit of Seattle’s original community.
Recent data shows that nationwide, socialization is at an all time low, while isolated activities are at an all time high. The pandemic, inflation and the polarization of our times are all contributing factors. The price of going out and experiencing live music can be an expensive endeavor nowadays. Between the Fellowship’s membership driven model and this special night of free jazz music, the non-profit puts its best foot forward in lowering those barriers of access to the music. It puts the ideals of community and the fellowship it creates front and center.
The end of the evening’s activities takes place at the traditional Tuesday night jam session at the Owl ‘n Thistle, for what could be an epic episode of this community uniting jam that began in 1998. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Underground Sounds with Thomas Marriott, Rick Mandyck, Jeff Johnson & John Bishop
Tuesdays 8 PM / Underbelly- Feb 18 (as part of Jazz Night in Pioneer Square), Mar 4, 18
Underbelly, the quaint cellar bar on First Avenue in Pioneer Square sits directly across the street from what was the New Orleans club, a former hub of local Seattle jazz. That vibe lives on every other Tuesday night in the former burlesque venue, with four of the city’s top jazz musicians colliding in an explosive chordless quartet that at times has been known as Free Fall. This is an opportunity to witness great jazz in an informal environment with no cover.
Trumpeter Thomas Marriott leads this band of long time mates with a strong intuitive connection. The author of fourteen albums as a leader and a recent inductee into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame is joined by the incomparable duo of bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop. Saxophonist Rick Mandyck has switched to alto, but bears the sound and approach of some of the great tenor players in jazz. The band plays originals from Marriott, Mandyck and Johnson, along with a few standards. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Tuesday Night Jam at the Owl ‘n Thistle
Tuesday Nights at 9:45 PM / Owl ‘n Thistle- Part of Jazz Night in Seattle on Feb 18
The Tuesday night jam at the Owl has been a Seattle tradition since 1997, when nubop legends Bebop and Destruction started the late night session at this Pioneer Square Irish pub. Hosted by noted Seattle pianist Eric Verlinde, the house band plays a short set prior to opening up the session. With the Monday night jam at Seattle Jazz Fellowship being an all ages affair that begins at 7:30, the Owl jam accomodates musicians attending after gigs. For many years, it has been a social staple in the Seattle jazz community, an opportunity to reunite with friends both musically and socially. It has been a vital part of the mentorship cycle in Seattle for more than a generation, and now boasts a decent upright piano. It’s just plain fun for the audience, and no bar in town serves Guiness like The Owl.

Jeff Busch’s Magic Circle / Jean Lenke’s Rose Combo with Toby Stone
Thu Feb 20, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St
A double bill at 109 S, Main, featuring two very different performances. Drummer / percussionist Jeff Busch is a true treasure of the Seattle music scene. He has traveled the world accumulating world rhythms and the instruments that facilitate them. He plays with world-class virtuosity, ardent joy and positivity. Magic Circle plays a celebratory blend of jazz, Caribbean, Brazilian and South African music. Joining Busch will be Seattle’s finest latin jazz pianist, Julio Jauregui and “la piedra” of the city’s electric bassists, Dean Schmidt. Both are long-time Busch associates. Ace tenor saxophonist Alexey Nikolaev and rising star trombonist Beserat Tafesse round out this unique combo of Seattle virtuosity.

The opening set will feature vocalist Jean Lenke and her Rose Combo, performing a program of notable compositions from historic female composers. Pianist Nelda Swiggett returns to SJF on the heels of her recent performance there, joining bassist Rachael Contorer and drummer Angie Tabor in the rhythm section. Saxophonist Toby Stone is a Seattle jazz icon, completing this quintet of strong female artists. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Jack Radsliff Quartet
Fri Feb 21, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.
Portland based guitarist Jack Radsliff in many ways personifies the modern guitar movement in jazz. No fellow jazz nerds, I am not refering to the iconic Bill Frisell. As one can hear on his latest album release, Barefoot, the comp would more lean towards players like Adam Rogers or the more tranquil side of Kurt Rosenwinkle. His compositions are uniquely Pacific NW in nature – if you are hip to the scenes in Seattle, Portland and Vancouver, you likely understand the point. As in his playing, there is a ambient quality that organically leans into the grays, greens and blues of the local environment. Add these qualities to Radsliff’s tendency to form a band that speaks this language fluently, and you have a Friday night tilt that is well worth the amble into Seattle’s original neighborhood.
Radsliff welcomes back members of his Portland trio in fluent and swinging bassist Patrick Golichnik and drummer Michael Raynor – a Portland transplant who is known as a first call player on the Chicago scene. Alto saxophonist and Portland native Nicole McCabe is the fourth wheel, adding a dynamic melody-based improviser to the band to create color and nuance. Mc Cabe is now LA based, making this a good opportunity to witness her impressive skill set. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Ann Reynolds Clave Gringa
Sat Feb 22, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.
Pianist Ann Reynolds has performed at SJF on a few occasions, mostly in a jazz trio or quartet context. For this evening she shifts gears into her true passion, performing jazz music housed within the infectious rhythms of Cuba. She is in expert hands in this rhythmic transition, with percussionists Ricardo Guity and Steve Smith in the house. Shapeshifting bassist Kelsey Mines brings her versatile skillset in full swing mode, while trumpeter / arranger Daniel Barry performs in full comfort within the wash of ritmos Cubanos. Reynolds has been a mainstay at SJF from the start, whether performing or showing up to support the works of her fellow musicians. For this evening, she stakes out new, but familiar ground. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Translinear Light: The Music of Alice Coltrane
Wed Feb 26, 7:30 PM / Moore Theater
The music of Alice Coltrane is celebrated with a performance led by saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, the son of Alice and John. Master harpist Brandee Younger joins as a principal player in the proceedings, with the pair backed by a top end rhythm section. Bassist Rashaan Carter, pianist Gadi Lehavi and drummer Ele Howell are summoned to the cause, three exceptional players that are not frequent visitors to Seattle. Both Ravi Coltrane and Younger have appeared frequently at Jazz Alley, in many instances performing works that Ravi had performed with his mother. But a program that features the macro view of her works, performed lovingly by a stellar band led by her son, in Seattle’s oldest and most venerated theater is something of another kind.
The music of Alice Coltrane can be transformative for the listener–you may never hear music quite the same way, and your ability to receive may be enhanced greatly–listener beware! https://www.stgpresents.org/events/translinear-light/

Ray Larsen Quintet
Thu Feb 27, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.
Trumpeter Ray Larsen hits the Fellowship with an all-star band in tow, the same band he was to perform with last month before a brief illness postponed the show. Pianist Matt Williams has risen to become one of the city’s top musicians, coming off a recent trio performance at 109 S. Main. Bassist Geoff Harper and drummer Evan Woodle complete a rhythm section with an eclectic reputation. Larsen is joined on the front line by saxophonist Neil Welch, a unique force seldom found in a standard jazz quintet as such. Welch is one half of the dynamic duo, “Bad Luck,” and is often seen with Wayne Horvitz’ RRCME. Woodle has a wizard-like ability to tie disparate sound into a cohesive, flowing force, partnering with Harper to form the backbone of this ensemble. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Roger Humphries Sextet with Reggie Watkins
Fri Feb 28 – Sat Mar 1, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.
Pittsburgh based trombonist Reggie Watkins brings iconic jazz drummer Roger Humphries to Seattle, also a native of the steel city. Humphries is best known for his work with Horace Silver, including the recording of the Silver classic, Song For My Father. His career reads like a history of hard and post bop jazz, with recording and performance credits with legends Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw, Lee Morgan, Coleman Hawkins, Dizzy Gillespie and many, many more. His career is a story of great musical and professional integrity. This opportunity to see a true legend of the genre is rare and not to be missed. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Immanuel Wilkins
Fri Feb 28, 7:30 PM / Triple Door
Alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins hit the ground running in 2020 with his debut release, Omega, and hasn’t looked back. His most recent recording, Blues Blood is further evidence of the saxophonist / composer’s forward thrust as a Blue Note recording artist. He has been recognized by all of the prominent critic’s polls as a rising phenomenon of modern jazz. His playing and composing is deeply rooted in the blues / jazz tradition, with a modernist application.
Wilkins was raised within the close-knit fellowship of the Philadelphia jazz scene, including time well spent in Orrin Evans’ Captain Black Big Band. Band and details TBA. https://thetripledoor.net/event/5820201/701277809/immanuel-wilkins

Thomas Marriott Quartet: Screen Time Album Release Celebration
Tue-Wed Mar 4-5, 7:30 PM / Jazz Alley
Trumpeter Thomas Marriott celebrates the release of his fifteenth album, Screentime, leading a stellar quartet for two nights at the city’s historic stage at Jazz Alley. It’s always a big deal when JA, normally a stage for touring acts, features a Seattle resident artist. Marriott, for his part, has paved his way to international acclaim while living in his hometown of Seattle. His integrity as an artist and as the founder of the Seattle Jazz Fellowship has helped the city maintain its historic foundations as a great jazz city.
Joining the trumpeter will be multi-Grammy nominated pianist Orrin Evans, whose Imani Records label is releasing Screen Time. Bassist Robert Hurst has been a prominent sidemusician since the 1980’s in Wynton Marsalis’ groundbreaking quintet. His performance and film credits are extensive, with recordings as a leader and with such legends as Branford Marsalis, Geri Allen, Tony Williams and Steve Coleman. Drummer Mark Whitfield, Jr. is fast becoming one of the most in-demand players in jazz, a rising star who has landed in full prominence.
This should be one of the true jazz highlights of 2025 in Seattle. Kudos to John Dimitriou and the folks down at Jazz Alley for opening the door for resident jazz artists from the dynamic and rapidly evolving Seattle jazz scene. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=7630

In Motion Quartet
Thu Mar 6, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.
Seattle tenor saxophonist / composer Steve Treseler co-leads this quartet with Bellingham-based trumpeter Kevin Woods. The chord-less quartet is completed with Bellingham mates in bassist King Dahl and drummer Jerry Steinhilber. The foursome explores grooves inside and outside of standard time signatures, creating an open space for exploration. The band is out playing following the release of their new album, Grind.
The connective tissue for these four musicians, is saxophonist George Garzone. Says Treseler, “We all studied and played with Garzone, instantly connected through a shared aesthetic—freely moving between bop, lyricism, and Dimension X. Our first gig as In Motion gelled instantly.”https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Eric Wyatt Quartet
with Keith Brown, John Bishop & Paul Gabrielson
Fri Mar 7, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.
Brooklyn born and raised saxophonist Eric Wyatt pays a visit to the Fellowship, bringing with him a strong tenor presence. Wyatt has authored five albums as a leader and appeared as a sidemusician with the likes of Kenny Garrett, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Wallace Roney and Al Foster. Wyatt will be surrounded by some of the best of the Pacific Northwest, with drummer John Bishop, bassist Paul Gabrielson and pianist Keith Brown joining him at 109 S. Main.
Wyatt’s music can take a turn from post-bop to soul in a heartbeat. His tenor style is sharp and distinctive, in the Gotham tradition. Brown’s playing is orchestral in a sense, always steeped in melody and ornate harmony. Gabrielson is a master of groove with an imaginative approach to soloing backed by classic technique. Bishop’s original style is a bridge between space and time and always musical. The format is in the Seattle tradition of bringing out an east coast presence and surrounding the artist with the top shelf of local cats. It harkens back to the city’s history as a remote cultural outpost, applied in a time when Seattle is an international gem. The culture clash is always interesting and explosive. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Scenes with John Stowell, Rick Mandyck, John Bishop & Jeff Johnson
Sat Mar 8, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship- 109 S. Main St.
The collective Scenes, has lived a life as a trio and as a quartet, in this case as the latter, with iconic Seattle saxophonist Rick Mandyck adding his prowess as both a player and composer. The band has released seven albums on the highly regarded Origin Records label since 2001, including Variable Clouds: Live at the Earshot Jazz Festival, a testament to the quartet’s durability and chemistry following the worldwide pandemic.
Guitarist John Stowell is a genius of harmonic invention, creating space for his bandmates to add individual contributions within a unique collective spirit. Mandyck acts as an emergent energy almost always on the brink of explosive, temporal assertions. His tonality and melodic presence, whether presented with intensity or tenderness, travels in perfect group mind within the territory staked out loosely by the collective. Bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop are a known quantity in tandem, a “rhythm section” that simply plays music without the constraints of groove. This will be a fine performance from four great musicians that have engaged many, many times. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Lakecia Benjamin and Phoenix
Tue & Wed Mar 11-12, 7:30 PM / Jazz Alley
It’s been difficult for longtime jazz fans to gain a firm understanding of the music of Lakecia Benjamin. In many ways, she was victimized by the “too much, too soon” approach to career management that has made her a star, but has not gained her the kind of acclaim attributed to masters of the genre. The reason for that is simple–she’s not performing at that level, despite her popularity. There are a few things to ponder about this.
First of all, the music does need stars, and does need to grow its audience–that supports the entire jazz community. Secondly, Benjamin’s music carries with it a narrative that is not only important, but essential at this crucial crossroads of history. The third and main point is that we all need to disconnect from the publicity train and enjoy Benjamin for who she is, and what she is about. To receive, one must be open. Benjamin is not an altoist in the realm of Gary Bartz or Jackie McLean, but she is on that journey and what is happening along the way is fun, entertaining and highly relevant. If you think she is some sort of furthering of a Coltrane-esque legacy, you will likely be disappointed – it is something she is not and will never be. Don’t let that diminish what she has to say in the here and now, and the long haul ahead.
For this performance, she is joined by pianist Oscar Bailey, bassist Elias Bailey and drummer Dorian Phelps. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=7622

Tim Kennedy Quartet
Thu Mar 13, 7:30 PM / Seattle Jazz Fellowship
Pianist Tim Kennedy leads a quartet of familiar faces so to speak, musicians with which he has traveled many a journey. Bassist Geoff Harper and drummer Brad Gibson have logged enough time with Kennedy to achieve a collective mindset. Trumpeter Thomas Marriott has frequently included Kennedy in his band for the past seven years and has an at length musical kinship with Harper. The trumpeter is a dynamic presence on the front line.
The band will perform some new originals penned by Kennedy, as well as some spontaneously interpreted covers. This is a musical grouping that doesn’t convene all that often and is a welcome date on the Seattle jazz calendar. Kennedy has always had a way of bringing musicians together in a special way, and his performances reliably hit the mark. https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/events

Jim Knapp Orchestra
Led By Dylan Hayes and Jay Thomas
Wed Mar 26, 7:30 PM / Royal Room
Trumpeter, composer and master arranger Jim Knapp passed in November of 2021, leaving behind a legacy of excellence as a highly acclaimed composer. That legacy has been passed into the able hands of young pianist composer, Dylan Hayes, once a Knapp student. Joining Hayes in putting this performance together is Seattle’s iconic jazz master, Jay Thomas. As a trumpeter and saxophonist, Thomas lived Knapp’s entire legacy in Seattle as a member of Knapp’s remowned orchestra and as a friend. The band is TBA, but rest assured it will be full of the best ensemble players in the city. Knapp’s compositions so deeply express the jazz soul of the Pacific Northwest. This should be a celebration of just that.
Gatherings of this sort are few and far between, meaning this show should sell out quickly, so do not hesitate to purchase tickets from the link below. Don’t forget the Royal Room’s quirky policy of tickets not guaranteeing seating with a view. Call the club and make a dinner reservation for that date. https://theroyalroomseattle.com/event/jim-knapp-orchestra-happy-reunion-2/

Christian McBride & Ursa Major
Thu-Sun Mar 27-30, 7:30 & 9:30 PM / Jazz Alley
Being one of the most visible people in jazz has not deterred bassist Christian McBride from his primary mission that has guided his entire career–to play live with a killin’ band of musical partners. Frequently changing personnel to present different music in the process, McBride has touched modern jazz from seemingly every possible angle. This time around, he returns to Jazz Alley with a band that may seem young to some, yet it is a battle-tested quintet of younger vets who have paid considerable dues to this point in time.
McBride is one third of a dynamic rhythm section featuring pianist Michael King and the drummer, Savannah Harris. Guitarist Ely Perlman adds another chordal influence to the band’s overall sound, while chiming in on the front line as well. Tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover has been known to Northwest jazz fans since she was a teenager growing up in the Portland area. Currently, she is an in demand session and tour player, and a breakout success as a bandleader riding the wave of her latest album, Plays (Savant, 2024).
As a bandleader, radio host and Artistic Director of the Newport Jazz Festival, McBride is one of the most visible figures in modern jazz. For four nights at Jazz Alley, you can experience him for what he is to the core–a great jazz bassist and composer, with a unique ability to reach an audience. Enjoy. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=7626

Greta Matassa Sextet
Wed Apr 2, 7:30 PM / Jazz Alley
Greta Matassa, as I have cited many times on these pages, is the most important jazz singer to emerge from the city of Seattle since the great Ernestine Anderson graced our presence here. In terms of sheer jazz artistry, she is without peer. It seems just, that she should perform on the city’s most hallowed jazz stage at Jazz Alley. And so it is!
Matassa will perform with her longtime band, featuring bassist Clipper Anderson and tenor saxophonist Alexey Nikolaev. Pianist David Joyner is a fine accompanist and a formidable soloist. Drummer Mark Ivester has been tying together the band’s sound from the beginning. Guitarist Brian Monroney is the icing on the cake, adding a new dimension to this all-star unit. The artistry of the band itself allows Matassa to be a part of something, rather than the whole. It allows her plus moments to be that much sweeter and carry a bigger punch.
Kudos to Jazz Alley for going local with one of our bright lights. It’s up to us to support that notion.https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=7642

The Bad Plus
Tue & Wed May 13-14, 7:30 PM / Jazz Alley
For many years, The Bad Plus was a jazz piano trio that in essence, explored non-jazz material through their lens of piano trio non-conformity. Bassist Reid Anderson, drummer Dave King and pianist Ethan Iverson created an industry brand that was infallible.
The trio became slightly more interesting when Iverson departed and was replaced by Philadelphia based pianist, Orrin Evans. But when Evans left the band to return to his own musical pursuits, Anderson and King were left with more questions than answers. Fortunately, they answered those questions expertly, and in the process, created a version of The Bad Plus that may stand taller than the previous two, and in a certain way adhere to the original mission of the band perfectly. They created a weirder, wilder and more interesting Bad Plus. A brief explanation.
As is evidenced by their latest release, Complex Emotions, the overall sound of the band is very different, darkly skirting the premise of the band’s past with a sonic presence that fits into the musical space created by Anderson and King in a perfect and poetic way. Guitarist Ben Monder has the ability to play straight up jazz guitar, or play with a completely different ambience that seems a weird and wonderful collision of musical worlds. It’s a match made in the heavens, and augmented well by the saxophone musings of Seattle born and bred musician, Chris Speed. Speed is the lightning to Monder’s thunder, bringing forward an atmospheric identity that should appeal to a wide spread of progressive listeners. I recommend this gig to those who have not previously fallen down the Bad Plus rabbit hole. Long time fans should dig it , too. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=7632