Seattle Jazz Scene

Bellevue Jazz Festival tickets for the Branford Marsalis Quartet and Spanish Harlem Orchestra will go on sale today, Friday, March 28, 2008, at 10 a.m.

Three-time Grammy Award winning saxophonist and Marsalis Music label founder Branford Marsalis will lead the quartet in a Friday, May 23, performance at Meydenbauer Center. The Spanish Harlem Orchestra (SHO), a 13-member Latin jazz ensemble and Grammy winner directed by musician and producer Oscar Hernández, will perform Saturday, May 24, at Meydenbauer Center.

Tickets for both performances will be available online through TicketsWest (http://www.ticketswest.com) and at participating QFC and Rudy’s Barbershop stores. A complete line up of Bellevue Jazz Festival events is also online at http://www.bellevuejazz.com.

Tickets for the Branford Marsalis Quartet will range from $20 for reserved seating to $75 for Golden Circle table seating near the stage. Spanish Harlem Orchestra tickets will run from $30 for general admission to $60 Golden Circle table seating near the stage.

The Bellevue Jazz Festival, produced by the Bellevue Downtown Association, begins April 9 with an all-star line-up of regional artists performing free Wednesday night concerts throughout Downtown Bellevue. Audiences will hear vocalists Greta Matassa and Gail Pettis, trumpeter Thomas Marriott, percussionist Ben Thomas, Gypsy jazz band Pearl Django and the Brazilian jazz trio of Jovino Santos Neto.

San Francisco vocalist Kat Parra is in town this weekend performing at Bake’s Place.

FRIDAY, MARCH 28
KAT PARRA QUARTET

BAKE’S PLACE
Dinner Time: 7:00pm
Performance Time: 8:00 – 10:30pm
Reservations: 425-391-3335
http://bakesplace.org

SF Bay Area based vocalist Kat Parra has leapt beyond the boundaries of the typical latin jazz singer. With her thirst for the exploration of world rhythms and tonalities, she has developed a style of music that encompasses sounds that both transcend and bend the stereotypical definition of latin jazz. She has incorporated not only afro-cuban music, but also added afro-peruvian, middle eastern, south american folklore as well as nueva trova. Most interestingly, she has also been developing, along with her musical director Murray Low, new arrangements of Sephardic music–the music of the Spanish Jews sung in the dying language of Ladino.

From James Rasmussen:

After 25 years, almost 26 Bud’s Jazz Records is going out of business…. I’ve done my best to keep it going but don’t want to go into debt any more than I already am.. If there is anyone interested in taking over (buying) a jazz icon in Seattle let us know.. Otherwise we will start sales in the 2nd week in April to sell all the stock… 2nd week 10% 3rd week 20% 4th week 50% till everything is sold…. What ever is left will be donated to the Seattle public schools…The store will be on regular hours till the end of April … Open 7 days a week…If you have consignments with us they will need to be picked up.

For more info Call James Rasmussen
206-628-0445
or E-mail [email protected]

From today’s Seattle Times:

After nearly 26 years as the homey basement hub and hangout for Seattle jazz musicians and fans, Bud’s Jazz Records is going out of business.

“I just can’t keep it going anymore,” said James Rasmussen, a Seattle trumpet player and leader of the band the Jazz Police; Rasmussen bought the store from founder Bud Young in 2001.

Bud’s Jazz Records, at 102 S. Jackson St. in Pioneer Square, will be sorely missed by the local jazz community. Known for its unstinting support of local musicians, the store consistently plugged discs by Seattle artists — often unknown — and piles of their CDs crowded the counter.

JAZZ ALLEY: Seattle-Kobe Female Jazz Vocalist Audition

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: JAZZ JAM with the Darin Clendenin Trio

NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Quintet

LA SPIGA: Darliene & Ryan

It’s a quiet Monday night for jazz, but let us know if we missed something by posting a comment!

SATURDAY, MARCH 22
PONCHO THEATER
CORNISH COLLEGE OF THE ARTS
710 E Roy St, Seattle
8:00pm

The Cornish Music Series is proud to present Building Bridges with the Jim Knapp Orchestra, featuring the premiere of “Movements for Flute and Jazz Orchestra,” commissioned by Cornish College of the Arts to honor Knapp’s role in the founding of Cornish’s jazz program 35 years ago.

When Jim Knapp joined the Cornish faculty in the early seventies, the Music Department had a curriculum that included some jazz classes, but only as a supplement to the basic conservatory-type curriculum. Recognizing a need, Knapp spearheaded an effort to enhance the presence of jazz music at Cornish. Gradually, the increased class offerings developed into a full program. New faculty such as Gary Peacock, Chuck Deardorf, Don Mock, Dave Peterson, Denney Goodhew, Phil Snyder, Julian Priester, Art Lande, Jerry Granelli, Jay Clayton, and many others were brought on board, and a jazz curriculum was established which remains essentially intact to this day. In honor of his efforts to propagate the Cornish College jazz program, composer Jim Knapp was commissioned to write a piece celebrating his rich history with the college. “Movements for Flute and Jazz Orchestra” will be performed by faculty member Paul Taub and the Jim Knapp Orchestra.

Saxophonist Hadley Caliman will celebrate the release of his new CD, Gratitude, on Friday, March 21, at Tula’s Jazz Club. The show will feature Joe Locke on vibes, Thomas Marriott on trumpet, Phil Sparks on bass and Matt Jorgensen on drums.

As of 4:30pm on Monday there are 3 tables left for the first set, plus a few seats at the bar, so if you are planning on going call now to reserve a table (206-443-4221).

FRIDAY, MARCH 21 – TULA’S JAZZ CLUB
2214 2nd Ave
Seattle

For reservations: 206-443-4221

The Seattle Composers’ Salon is a bi-monthly, informal presentation of new music by Seattle composers. The salon features finished works, previews and works-in-progress, and brings together composers, performers and audience members in a casual setting that allows for discussion and experimentation.

The next Seattle Composers Salon will be held on Friday, March 28 at 8:00pm

The Chapel at the Good Shepherd Center
4649 Sunnyside Ave N (in Wallingford)
$5-$15 suggested donation
http://www.composersalon.com

March Composers:

Keith Eisenbrey
Robert Blatt
Carson Farley
Peter Freeman

From the New York Times:

Dennis Irwin, who for more than 30 years was a much-in-demand New York jazz bassist and whose recent illness became a rallying point for jazz musicians without medical insurance, died on Monday in Manhattan. He was 56.

He died the same day as a benefit concert was presented in his honor, staged by Jazz at Lincoln Center and including performances by Wynton Marsalis, Tony Bennett, Jon Hendricks, Mose Allison, Joe Lovano, Bill Frisell, John Scofield, and many others. Part of the concert’s proceeds will go toward Mr. Irwin’s medical expenses. The rest, in line with his stated wishes, will go to other musicians in need, through the Jazz Foundation of America, which has helped many uninsured musicians — including Mr. Irwin — pay for healthcare.

{Continue reading from The New York Times}

The Seattle Jazz Scene.com has covered saxophonist and former Seattle resident Andrew D’Angelo and his battle with brain cancer. The New York Times had a story just last week centered around both D’Angelo and Irwin and the larger issue of the lack of affordable medical insurance within the music community.

Again, from The New York Times:

The health of jazz, as a topic of conversation, has long inspired a lot of hand wringing among sympathetic parties. When the focus turns toward the health of jazz musicians, the discussion assumes a different, less abstract character: solicitous and supportive. Most people who play jazz for a living are accustomed to self-reliance. When that system fails, they lean on one another. {read the full story}

For local Seattle musicians, please make sure and check out our post earlier this week about the free heath screenings offered by MusicCares. Click here for more info.

Saturday, March 22, 2008
8 a.m. – 2 p.m. (must have a scheduled appointment)
Qliance Clinic
509 Olive Way #1607, Seattle, WA 98101

MusiCares, in partnership with Qliance, a Seattle based monthly-fee primary care clinic, presents a limited opportunity to receive a free basic health assessment. This basic health assessment includes glucose, blood pressure, BMI and cholesterol tests. Hepatitis C+ and HIV screenings will also be provided. Following the testing, a primary care specialist will meet confidentially with each participant to discuss basic health concerns, family/individual medical history and test results. Participants will receive a packet regarding Qliance information, their Health Assessment Overview Documents and supplementary materials given by the provider in relation to their health discussions. They will also receive a coupon for $30 off the registration fee should they decide to join Qliance.

IMPORTANT: For accurate results you must be fasting for 8-12 hours prior to your scheduled appointment. This means no food. Water is encouraged; tea and black coffee are also ok as long as there is nothing in them. Testing can be conducted otherwise, but will not be as accurate or a reliable source of information.

Assessments will be provided free of charge to pre-screened, pre-approved music professionals, upon establishing eligibility. Appointments will be assigned in 30 minute increments, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m..

Space is limited. RSVP today!

Contact MusiCares at 800-687-4227 (toll-free) to schedule an appointment.

A couple of shows this weekend at Bake’s Place that singer fans won’t want to miss.

Friday, March 7 – Doug Acosta Quartet ~ with Darin Clendenin, piano; Jon Hamar, bass and Ken French, drums

Dinner at 7:00pm, Show at 8:00pm

Saturday, March 8 – Greta Matassa Quartet ~ with Darin Clendenin, piano; Larry Holloway, bass and Jose Martinez, drums

Dinner at 7:00pm, Show at 8:00pm

BAKE’S PLACE
4135 Providence Point Dr. SE
Issaquah, WA 98029
Reservations: 425-391-3335
http://bakesplace.org

Drummer and composer Brad Gibson will present an afternoon of original works for his Senior Recital inspired by Bebop, Classical, and R & B. The concert will take place on Sunday, March 2nd at 2:00pm.

Joining Brad will be Chris Symer (bass), Ty Bailie (Hammond Organ), and fellow Cornish students, Clark Gibson (reeds), Eli Clark (trombone), and Mack Grout (piano).

SUNDAY, MARCH 2 – PONCHO CONCERT HALL
Cornish College of the Arts
710 E. Roy, Seattle

2:00pm
Free Admission, open to all.

Post a comment with your recent CDs, live shows, or whatever else you’ve been checking out. Let’s discuss!

JAZZ ALLEY: Cañizares (Legendary Flamenco Guitarist)

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Critical Mass Big Band

THE NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Penelope Donado (vocals) with Randy Halberstadt (piano) and Chuck Kistler (bass)

SERAFINA: Josh Hickman, solo guitar

The Black Hills Trio featuring Marc Seales on piano, Jeff Johnson on bass and Tad Britton on drums will gather at Thaiku this Thursday night to perform music from their recent Origin Records release.

Music at Thaiku is always free and the food is amazing … so take a trip to Ballard this Thursday.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28

Fu Kun Wu Lounge (located inside Thaiku)
5410 Ballard Ave. N
Seattle, WA 98107
206-706-7807

Music starts at 8:30pm