April is Jazz Appreciation Month, and it’s being celebrated with three jazz festivals around Seattle this month. On this week’s Jazz Northwest, April 14, we’ll preview The Ballard Jazz Festival with over 60 musicians performing in various locations around Ballard, April 17-20. Included are The Brotherhood of the Drum, The Guitar Summit, and The Ballard Jazz Walk with a dozen locations featuring many of Seattle’s favorite jazz artists. The Festival concludes with the mainstage event at the Nordic Heritage Museum featuring Gary Bartz with the George Colligan Trio, and the Lew Soloff Quartet.

Two more jazz festivals take place the last weekend of April are the Seattle Women in Jazz Festival April 26-28 in various locations, and the UW Improvised Music Festival, April 25-27 at the Chapel Performance Space. The Bellevue Jazz Festival is coming May 20-June 2.

Jazz Northwest is produced and hosted by Jim Wilke exclusively for KPLU. It airs and streams every Sunday afternoon at 2 PM PDT, and is available as a streamable podcast following the broadcast.

Next week: an Art of Jazz concert from The Seattle Art Museum featuring the Chuck Deardorf-Dave Peterson Group (April 21).

More info:
ballardjazzfestival.com
seattlewomeninjazz.com
improvisedmusicproject.com

from The Seattle Times:

“I didn’t go to jazz school,” says Portland-based pianist George Colligan. “I learned on the bandstand.”

Indeed. When he was playing with Gary Bartz a few years back, the famous alto saxophonist suddenly started playing “Witchcraft” on the stand without announcing it.

“I didn’t know it,” recalls Colligan, “but he played the harmony so well, I just learned it. That sort of thing really drives your nervous system.”

Colligan plays the Ballard Jazz Festival next week, as a leader at several events and as a sideman with Bartz. Hopefully, Colligan won’t have to learn any new tunes on demand.

But if he does, the 43-year-old veteran will be up to the task, as those who have seen him here before — particularly at his 2007 Triple Door gig with saxophonist Ravi Coltrane — know full well.

The Baltimore-raised pianist plays with sizzling abandon in a driving, polytonal style that owes a lot to Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner without slavishly imitating either.

Colligan is an emblematic choice for the Ballard fest, in that he represents the event’s hyperlocal-with-a-dash-of-flash values. A teacher as well as a working musician with an international reputation, Colligan is ensconced deeply in the Portland scene and understands that passing the music along to young players is as much a part of the tradition as playing it.

Continue reading at The Seattle Times.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Thomas Marriott Quartet
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: The Gypsy Allstars feat. The Gipsy Kings Family
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

HIROSHI’S: Jazz and Sushi
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966

LATONA PUB: Phil Sparks Trio
6423 Latona Avenue NE, 5:00 – 7:00pm, No Cover, 21+

SERAFINA: Tim Kennedy Trio
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807, 9pm

VITO’S: Casey MacGill
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 9:00pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Thelxie Eaves Trio w/ Michael Berman, Pavel Shepp
11425 Rainier Ave S, 206-772-6891, 7:00pm

GRAZIE: Edward Paul Trio
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Ham Carson Quartet
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

UNCLE THURMS: Friday night jazz
3709 South G Street, Tacoma, (253) 475-1881, 7:30pm

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Leah Stilwell Trio
1520 NE 177th, Shoreline, (206) 365-4447, 8:00pm

The 2013 Ballard Jazz Festival kicks off next Wednesday, April 17, and runs through Saturday night, April 20.

Tickets are discounted if you buy in advance through the Ballard Jazz Festival website and there are no service fees attached to the ticket price.

COMPLETE SCHEDULE:

Wed, April 17 – BROTHERHOOD OF THE DRUM
Four drummers lead their own groups at Conor Byrne Pub on the opening night of the festival. Scheduled to perform: Sylvia Cuenca, Matt Jorgensen, Sean Lane and Chris Leighton.

Thurs, April 18 – GUITAR SUMMIT
Guitarists take the stage on night two of the festival as we showcase some of the finest six-string talent from the Northwest and beyond. Scheduled to perform include Tom Guarna (New York), John Stowell (Portland) and Dave Peterson and Danny Godinez (Seattle).

Fri, April 19 – BALLARD JAZZ WALK
Jazz takes over downtown Ballard as we present 21 groups in 12 venues all for a single ticket price. The most recognizable event of the festival brings together all styles of jazz and a New Orleans atmosphere with listeners pouring from club-to-club making this a truly one-of-a-kind event.

Sat, April 20 – FULL DAY OF JAZZ
11:00am – Swedish Pancake Jazz Brunch
7:30pm – Mainstage Concert featuring Gary Bartz Quartet and Lew Soloff Quartet

Also on the jazz festival front … check out the Seattle Women In Jazz Festival (April 26-28) and the Bellevue Jazz Festival (May 29 – June 2).

SEATTLE ART MUSEUM: Deardorf-Peterson Group
from Earshot Jazz: In this Art of Jazz presentation, bassist Chuck Deardorf and guitarist and composer Dave Peterson, educators at Cornish College for 25 years and major fixtures in the Northwest jazz scene, join colleagues Rich Cole (sax), Bill Anschell (piano) and John Bishop (drums), Thursday, April 11, 5:30pm, at the Seattle Art Museum. “Veteran pals deliver a quintessential mainstream Seattle session: relaxed, light on its feet, gregarious,” Mark Fefer wrote for Seattle Weekly, about sessions following the release of their Origin debut, Portal, with compositions by Dave Peterson. Admission is free.
1300 First Avenue, Seattle,  5:30 PM

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Steve Messick’s Endemic Ensemble
2214 Second Avenue, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: The Gypsy Allstars feat. The Gipsy Kings Family
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm & 9:30pm

COPPER GATE: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson & Tad Britton
6301 24th Ave NW, 206-706-3292, 8:00pm

VITO’S: Jennifer Zienzle and Friends
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 8:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Hans Brehmer
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

BARCA: Adam Kessler / Phil Sparks Trio
1510 11th Avenue, Seattle, (206) 325-8263, 9:00pm

THE ROYAL ROOM: Dave Ellis CD Release Party
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 8:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Chris Johansen Quartet, with Chris Johansen (tenor saxophone), Bob Hammer (piano), Nate Parker (bass) and Ray Price (drums)
9pm – Don Cody and Wes Weddell
1707 NW Market Street, Seattle, 206-789-1621

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: David Marriott Big Band
2214 Second Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: New Orleans Quintet
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

EL GAUCHO: Paul Richardson
2505 1st Ave, 6:00pm

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Free Funk Union
216 Union Street, Seattle, 206-838-4333, 8:00pm, No cover

EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Primo Kim
555 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, 425-455-2734, 6:00pm

WHITE RABBIT: Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder
513 N 36th St Suite E, Seattle, 9:30pm

Tickets to headline performances at the 2013 Bellevue Jazz Festival are now on sale. Ticket prices range from $15 to $30; student ticket prices are from $12 to $15.

Tickets can be purchased online at bellevuejazz.com.  Tickets for Friday and Saturday night performances can also be purchased by phone from Brown Paper Tickets at (800) 838-3006. Headliner performances will be held at the 410-seat Theatre at Meydenbauer Center and at Bake’s Place, a live music and dining venue in downtown Bellevue.

2013 Bellevue Jazz Festival Headliners

Carlos Cascante y su Tumbao
Thursday, May 30
Bake’s Place
Two Shows: 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ($15)

Kendrick Scott Oracle
plus Evan Flory-Barnes’; On Loving, The Muse, and Family
Friday, May 31
Theatre at Meydenbauer Center
7:30 p.m. ($24 / $12 student)

Cyrus Chestnut Trio with special guest Stefon Harris
Saturday, June 1
Theatre at Meydenbauer Center
7:30 p.m. ($30 / $15 student)

The Bellevue Jazz Festival will also celebrate its 6^th year with more than 40 free shows by top regional jazz musicians at venues throughout downtown Bellevue. The full festival schedule will be released in May. More information is also available at bellevuejazz.com.

The Bellevue Downtown Association (BDA) produces the annual Bellevue Jazz Festival and collaborates on artist selection with Earshot Jazz Executive Director John Gilbreath.

BENAROYA HALL: Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
200 University St, 206-215-4747., 8:00pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Bill Anschell Quartet with Chris Symer, Jose Martinez & Jeff Busch
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Brian Culbertson
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

HIROSHI’S: Jazz and Sushi
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966

LATONA PUB: Phil Sparks Trio
6423 Latona Avenue NE, 5:00 – 7:00pm, No Cover, 21+

SERAFINA: Alex Guilbert Duo
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807, 9pm

VITO’S: Rat City Brass
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 9:00pm

ROYAL ROOM: Piano Royale/ DS Al Coda
5000 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, 8:00pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Thelxie Eaves Trio w/ Michael Berman, Pavel Shepp
11425 Rainier Ave S, 206-772-6891, 7:00pm

GRAZIE: Andre Thomas Quietfire
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Native Jazz Trio with Christian Fabian
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

UNCLE THURMS: Friday night jazz
3709 South G Street, Tacoma, (253) 475-1881, 7:30pm

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Stephanie Porter & Friends
1520 NE 177th, Shoreline, (206) 365-4447, 8:00pm

Seattle Times jazz writer Paul de Barros and radio host Jim Wilke have both been nominated for a 2013 Jazz Journalist Award.

Paul de Barros‘ new book, Shall We Play That One Together?: The Life and Art of Jazz Piano Legend Marian McPartland, was nominated for Best Book About Jazz Of The Year and Jim Wilke, host of Jazz Northwest and Jazz After Hours, received a nomination for the Willis Conover-Marian McPartland Award for Broadcasting in 2012.

Doug Ramsey, who now resides in Yakima, received a nomination for Blog of the Year … somehow Seattle Jazz Scene got overlooked again! Ha!

For a complete list of of nominees, click here.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Smith/Staelens Big Band
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:00pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Fatoumata Diawara
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: The Legacy Band with Clarence Acox
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

BOXLEY’S: 5:00pm: Future Jazz Heads; 7:00pm: Jazz Heads
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

418 PUBLIC HOUSE: 418 session w/ Claudio Rochat-Felix
418 NW 65th St, 9:00pm

THE ROYAL ROOM: The Bayous/ Rippin’ Chicken
5000 Rainier Ave South, Seattle, 8:00PM

SEAMONSTER LOUNGE: Jacques Willis
2202 N 45th St, (206) 992-1120, 10:00pm

VITO’S: Ben von Wildenhaus
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 8:00pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Microsoft Jumping Jive Orchestra
2214 Second Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

ROYAL ROOM: Jargon/ Christian Pincock Group
5000 Rainier Ave South, Seattle, 8:00PM

NEW ORLEANS: New Orleans Quintet
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

EL GAUCHO: Paul Richardson
2505 1st Ave, 6:00pm

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Free Funk Union
216 Union Street, Seattle, 206-838-4333, 8:00pm, No cover

EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Primo Kim
555 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, 425-455-2734, 6:00pm

WHITE RABBIT: Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder
513 N 36th St Suite E, Seattle, 9:30pm

BOXLEY’S: CCK Workshop
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

PONCHO CONCERT HALL: Rez Abbasi Trio
710 East Roy St., 8:00pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Stephanie Porter Quartet
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Holly Cole
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

HIROSHI’S: Jazz and Sushi
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966

LATONA PUB: Thomas Marriott / Matt Jorgensen / Paul Gabrielson
6423 Latona Avenue NE, 5:00 – 7:00pm, No Cover, 21+

SERAFINA: John Sanders & Saul Cline Gypsy Reeds Duo
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807, 9pm

VITO’S: Lushy
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 9:00pm

ROYAL ROOM: Piano Royale/ Painting The Town Red: The Music of Billie Holiday/ A Song For You: A Tribute to Ray Charles and Leon Russell
5000 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, 8:00pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Thelxie Eaves Trio w/ Michael Berman, Pavel Shepp
11425 Rainier Ave S, 206-772-6891, 7:00pm

GRAZIE: Michael Powers Group
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Milo Peterson Trio
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

UNCLE THURMS: Friday night jazz
3709 South G Street, Tacoma, (253) 475-1881, 7:30pm

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Greg Schroeder Trio
1520 NE 177th, Shoreline, (206) 365-4447, 8:00pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: The Kora Band
2214 Second Avenue, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Holly Cole
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm & 9:30pm

COPPER GATE: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson & Tad Britton
6301 24th Ave NW, 206-706-3292, 8:00pm

VITO’S: Steve Messick’s Endemic
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 8:00pm
from Earshot Jazz: The Endemic Ensemble, a modern, collaborative jazz quintet, plays swingin’ originals by band bassist Steve Messick, pianist David Franklin and baritone saxophonist and bass clarinetist Matso Limtiaco. Also in the quintet: soprano and tenor saxophionst Travis Ranney and drummer Ken French. Their 2012 release Lunar was listed on NYC blog Lucid Culture’s twenty best of the year. Performing at Vito’s, Thursday, March 28, 9pm. Admission is free.

SEAMONSTER LOUNGE: The Suffering F*ckheads
2202 N 45th St, (206) 992-1120, 10:00pm

MONA’S: Joe Doria & Skerik
6421 Latona Ave NE, 206-526-118, 9:30pm

BOXLEY’S: Craig Hoyer
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

TOWN HALL: Bushwick Book Club’s Old Testament in Song
1119 8th Ave, Seattle, 206-652-4255
from Earshot Jazz: Bushwick Book Club Seattle has teamed up with the Seattle Jazz Composers Ensemble and Eric Lane Barnes (with members from Seattle Men’s and Women’s Choir) to present 10 new songs, by 10 songwriters, based on 10 stories from the Bible’s Old Testament, March 28 and 29, 8pm, Town Hall Seattle Downstairs.Tickets are $15-$20 at strangertickets.com or at the door. More information at thebushwickbookclubseattle.com and seattlejazzcomposersensemble.com.

The SJCE arranged the 10 original compositions for 7-piece band and chamber choir – an evening of song, comedy and theater, re-imagining stories from one of the oldest, influential and controversial books we know. Performers include Eric Lane Barnes, Lisa Koch, Tamara Power Drutis, Bucket of Honey, Wes Weddell, Beth Fleenor (aka Crystal Beth), Spekulation, Tai Shan, Amanda Sue Winterhalter, Vince Martinez, with arrangements by Wayne Horvitz, Michael Owcharuk, Nate Omdal, Beth Fleenor and David Marriott.

BARCA: Adam Kessler Trio
1510 11th Avenue, Seattle, (206) 325-8263, 9:00pm

THE ROYAL ROOM: AMA Trio/Kafana Republik
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 8:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – “A Group of Friends Walks Into a Jazz Club“, featuring Susan Pascal (vibes), Ron Peters (guitar), Rick Leppanen (bass), and Katy Bourne (vocals)
9pm – Chris Stover, with More Zero – Stuart MacDonald (saxophone), Ben Thomas (vibes), John Silverman (bass), and Chris Icasiano (drums)
1707 NW Market Street, Seattle, 206-789-1621

The Rez Abbasi Trio
Friday, March 29 at 8 pm

Electric guitarist and musical internationalist Rez Abbasi authentically bridges modern and traditional perspectives. Catch his upcoming performance with his ‘of-the-moment’ jazz trio which includes Mark Dresser (bass), and Satoshi Takeishi (drums).

Tickets: $20 general, $15 seniors, $10 students and alumni (w/ID), $10 Cornish community (w/ID)

**Rez will also hold a guitar masterclass on March 29 at noon. This event is free and open to the public.

Both events will be held at:
PONCHO Concert Hall
710 East Roy St.
Seattle WA
www.cornish.edu/musicseries

by Jim Levitt

Supporters of the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra packed the Shilshole Bay Beach Club on Saturday, March 16th, for “’Round Midnight”, the SRJO’s second annual fundraising gala.

Music was provided by a trio from the Garfield High School Jazz Ensemble, and by the SRJO Quintet (Jay Thomas, Michael Brockman, Chris Spencer, Phil Sparks, and Clarence Acox) with vocalist Greta Matassa.

Read More

JAZZ ALLEY: Jackson HS Jazz Bands
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

ROYAL ROOM: Frankly Mondays
5000 Rainier Ave South, Seattle, 8:00PM

NEW ORLEANS: New Orleans Quintet
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

EL GAUCHO: Paul Richardson
2505 1st Ave, 6:00pm

EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Primo Kim
555 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, 425-455-2734, 6:00pm

WHITE RABBIT: Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder
513 N 36th St Suite E, Seattle, 9:30pm

STILL LIQUOR: O’Brien & Kessler Trio w/ Nate Parker
1524 Minor Ave, Seattle, 9:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Mt Si Vocal Jam, Cornish Combo
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Hal Galper Trio with Jeff Johnson and John Bishop
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

BOXLEY’S: Bernie Jacobs Quartet
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Arturo Sandoval
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

SERAFINA: Alex Guilbert
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807, 9:00pm

FORZA’S COFFEE: Flip and Fly
6900 E Green Lake Way N, 7:00pm

VITO’S: Casey MacGill Trio
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 9:30pm

SCOTCH AND VINE: Scott Lindenmuth
22341 Marine View Dr S, Des Moines, 7:00pm

GRAZIE: Emily McIntosh
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Hal Galper Trio with Jeff Johnson and John Bishop
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Arturo Sandoval
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

HIROSHI’S: Jazz and Sushi
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966

LATONA PUB: Phil Sparks Trio
6423 Latona Avenue NE, 5:00 – 7:00pm, No Cover, 21+

SERAFINA: John Sanders & Sue Nixon
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807, 9pm

VITO’S: Jovino Santos Neto
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 9:00pm

ROYAL ROOM: Piano Royale/ Reptet/ Space Owl
5000 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, 8:00pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Butch Harrison
11425 Rainier Ave S, 206-772-6891, 7:00pm

GRAZIE: James Burnhard Blues Fusion
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Dan Kramlich’s Grunge Trio
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

UNCLE THURMS: Friday night jazz
3709 South G Street, Tacoma, (253) 475-1881, 7:30pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Carrie Wicks and Nick Allison with Mike Barnett (bass)
1707 NW Market Street, Seattle, 206-789-1621

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Greta Matassa & Darin Clendenin
1520 NE 177th, Shoreline, (206) 365-4447, 8:00pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Fred Hoadley’s Sonando
2214 Second Avenue, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Arturo Sandoval
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm & 9:30pm

COPPER GATE: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson & Tad Britton
6301 24th Ave NW, 206-706-3292, 8:00pm

VITO’S: Rik Wright
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 8:00pm

SEAMONSTER LOUNGE: The Teaching
2202 N 45th St, (206) 992-1120, 10:00pm

MONA’S: Joe Doria & Skerik
6421 Latona Ave NE, 206-526-118, 9:30pm

BOXLEY’S: John Hansen
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

BARCA: Adam Kessler Trio
1510 11th Avenue, Seattle, (206) 325-8263, 9:00pm

THE ROYAL ROOM: 3rd Thursday Twang
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 8:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Dina Blade Student Showcase
9pm – Micah Stevens Group with Micah Stevens (guitar), Chad McCullough (trumpet), Justin Nielson (piano), Paul Gabrielson (bass) and Steve Lyman (drums)
1707 NW Market Street, Seattle, 206-789-1621