from The Seattle Times:

The Seattle jazz community gathered at Tula’s Jazz Club in Belltown Wednesday night for the annual presentation of the Golden Ear Awards. The honors were given by Earshot Jazz, the nonprofit jazz support organization that presents the Earshot Jazz Festival, in recognition of work done in the Northwest during the 2012 calendar year.

Here are the results:

Recording of the Year: Johnny Conga, “Oye!”

Acoustic Jazz Ensemble: Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto

Alternative Jazz Group: Bandalabra

Jazz Instrumentalist: trumpeter and saxophonist Jay Thomas

Emerging Artist or Group: trombonist Naomi Siegel

Vocalist: Greta Matassa

Concert: Racer Sessions Memorial, “Constellations,” Café Racer, June 3

Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame: Roosevelt High School jazz band director and trombonist Scott Brown and pianist Dave Peck

Special Awards: Emcee Paul Toliver and vocalist Reggie Goings, who present the Seattle Jazz Offering concert series; and Wayne Horvitz, Tia Matthies and Steve Freeborn, owners and operators of the Columbia City night club, the Royal Room.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Earshot Golden Ear Awards featuring Thomas Marriott and Flexicon
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:00pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Kyle Eastwood Band
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: Elnah Jordan
5000 Rainier Ave South, Seattle, 8:00PM

PINK DOOR: Casey MacGill Trio
1919 Post Alley, Seattle, 9:00pm

VITO’S: Brad Gibson Trio
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 8:00pm

Each year, the Golden Ear Awards recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the previous year in Seattle jazz. In the process, Seattle jazz fans and performers can take stock of and show gratitude for the region’s vibrant jazz ecology. The awards are determined by a combination of nominations and popular vote. Nominees this year were selected by a poll of Earshot Jazz readers, jazz performers, audience members, journalists and industry professionals.

Wednesday, March 20, the Seattle jazz community comes together at Tula’s Jazz Club. Music will be provided by Thomas Marriott’s Flexicon.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB2214 2nd Ave
$10 general, $8 member, $5 student
Reservations: 206-443-4221

EASTSIDE JAZZ CLUB: Gail Pettis Quartet
Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 11010 NE 8th, Bellevue, 425-828-9104, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Kyle Eastwood Band
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Roadside Attraction Big Band
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

OWL ‘N THISTLE: Jam w/ Eric Verlinde
808 Post Ave, 206-621-7777, 10:00pm

ROYAL ROOM: Lennie’s Pennies5000 Rainier Ave South, Seattle, 8:00PM

SEAMONSTER LOUNGE: McTuff Trio
2202 N 45th St, 206-633-1824, 10:00pm

COPPER GATE: Suffering F#ckheads
6301 24th Ave NW, 206-706-3292, 8:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Bob Baumann & Friends
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

BAKE’S PLACE: Hans Brehmer Trio
155 108th Ave NE, Bellevue, (425) 454-2776, 8:00pm

from Reptet:

Hello Repnation,

Reptet will be playing at Seattle’s favorite creative music venue, The Royal Room on Friday, March 22^nd. This will be a very special night as we will be bringing in the fabulous Mell Dettmer (who recorded Chicken or Beef? and At The Cabin) and doing a live recording; documenting this chapter in Reptet’s evolution with Mark Oi (guitar) before he moves away. Music starts at 8:30pm and the show is all ages until 10pm, free (with suggested donation)

The second set will be covered by Seattle’s favorite psychedelic rock band, Space Owl (featuring Reptet drummer and founding member John Ewing on drums and vocals). Along with its original material, Space Owl delivers a truly unique experience for its fans by paying tribute to the artists that influenced them most. For this occasion they will be debuting a night of all Bob Dylan. Their musical experience is augmented by the exceptional psychedelic light show, which brings an arena style atmosphere into club environments and provides spectacular eye candy to complement the music.

FRIDAY, MARCH 22
THE ROYAL ROOM
5000 Rainier Ave S (Columbia City)

Once again, thanks to all our fans for supporting and inspiring us.

Hope to see you on the 22^nd,
Reptet
John, Sam, Chris, Tim Nelson and Mark

from Steve Tresler:

I’m excited to be part of a show featuring the music of pianist and composer Lennie Tristano this Tuesday March 19th (Lennie’s Birthday) at the Royal Room. Lennie is most famous for his recordings from the late 40s and early 50s with his two most famous students, saxophonists Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh. Lennie’s music combines a cool aesthetic, dazzling virtousic melodies, and angular phrasing–pretty wild stuff that was way a head of it’s time. If you’re not familiar with his music, these recordings are two of my favorites.

A Birthday Tribute to Legendary Jazz Pianist & Composer Lennie Tristano!

Jacob Zimmerman – alto sax
Steve Treseler – tenor sax
Wayne Horvitz – piano
Carmen Rothwell – bass
Greg Campbell – drums

Tuesday March 19th – 8:00
The Royal Room
5000 Rainier Ave S (Columbia City)
All Ages until 10:00

$7 advance/ $10 at the door. Available now from Stranger Tickets

Lennie Tristano’s legacy of influential achievements in the field of jazz includes pioneering early multi-track recordings, the first recordings of group free-improvisation in 1949, introducing new levels of rhythmic and harmonic complexity as well as a prolific teaching career with many notable students including Lee Konitz, Warne Marsh, Charles Mingus, Connie Crothers and Sheila Jordan. Tonight’s performance will honor what would have been his 94th birthday with heartfelt interpretations of music by and associated with Tristano and his associates.

ROYAL ROOM: The Royal Room Collective Music Ensemble Live Recording
5000 Rainier Ave South, Seattle, 8:00PM

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Kelley Johnson Vocal Showcase
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

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: Danny Kolke
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

The Teaching (Josh Rawlings – Fender Rhodes, Evan Flory-Barnes – Bass and Jeremy Jones – Drums) will regroup on March 21 and perform at The Seamonster Lounge, the same venue where they first performed together  7 years ago.

THURSDAY, MARCH 21
THE SEAMONSTER
2202 N 45th St  Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 992-1120

New CDs by Northwest Jazz artists will be featured on Jazz Northwest this Sunday.  Tenor saxophonist Bill Harris leads his Portland quintet , Cory Weeds and Bill Coon front a quartet from Vancouver BC, singer Gail Pettis, and Jay Thomas and The Cats represent Seattle.  Also included this week is former Seattle trumpet player Tatum Greenblatt and some New York friends billed as the Verve Jazz Ensemble.  Jazz Northwest is broadcast Sunday afternoons at 2 on 88-5, KPLU and kplu.org.

Next week:  An Art of Jazz concert from the Seattle Art Museum featuring the Bernie Jacobs Quartet.  (3/24)

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jovino Santos-Neto Quinteto
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

BOXLEY’S: Marty Tuttle Cubano Express
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

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

SERAFINA: Leo Raymundo Trio w/ Sue Nixon
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807, 9:00pm

VITO’S: Satellite 4
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 9:30pm

ROYAL ROOM: Duffy Bishop
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 8:30pm

SCOTCH AND VINE: Jose Gonzales Trio
22341 Marine View Dr S, Des Moines, 7:00pm

GRAZIE: Smoke & Honey
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm

from The Seattle Times ArtsPage Blog

Saxophonist Gary Bartz, drummer Allison Miller, pianist Cyrus Chestnut and vibraphonist Stefon Harris (pictured here) are all headed this way, as the Seattle area’s two spring jazz festivals gear up for action.

In Ballard the excitement takes place over four nights (April 17-20) in 15 venues in its namesake neighborhood. A popular highlight is the Ballard Jazz Walk, Friday, April 19, when 12 clubs provide non-stop entertainment and the sidewalks overflow with fans, Mardi Gras style. The Ballard Festival also features a Swedish pancake jazz brunch Saturday, April 20, with David Marriott’s Triskadekaband.

Visiting headliners at Ballard this year include Bartz, Miller, trumpeter Lew Soloff, pianist George Colligan, guitarist John Stowell, drummer Sylvia Cuenca and saxophonist Vinny Golia. The festival also showcases the cream of the Seattle jazz scene, among them festival co-producer and drummer Matt Jorgensen, guitarist Dave Peterson, pianist Jovino Santos Neto, trombonist Andy Clausen and vocalist Gail Pettis.

Tickets and information: 206-219-3649 or http://ballardjazzfestival.com/

Over in Bellevue, the 2013 festival kicks off at Bake’s Place Thursday, May 30, with Seattle’s hot Latin jazz band, Cascante, led by Costa Rican vocalist Carlos Cascante. Visting headlineers include drummer Kendrick Scott and Oracle, with guest bassist Evan Flory-Barnes, Friday, May 31, at the Meydenbauer Theatre, and Chesnut and Harris Saturday, June 1, also at the Meydenbauer.

As in Ballard, downtown Bellevue comes alive during the fest, with 40 performances taking place at various bars and restaurants downtown.

Tickets and information: http://bellevuejazz.com.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: “Night of the Cookers” featuring Brian Lynch and Thomas Marriott. Noah Halpern and Aaron Tevis open the show.
2214 Second Avenue, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Brian McKnight
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: Jimmie Herrod and Friends
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 8:00pm

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

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

THE ROYAL ROOM: The Royal Ramble
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 8:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Bruce Phares Group with  John Stowell and Dave Peterson
9pm – Brooks Robertson
1707 NW Market Street, Seattle, 206-789-1621

NYC trumpeter Brian Lynch will be in Seattle this weekend for two shows.

Thursday night at Tula’s (2214 2nd Ave, Seattle, 206-443-4221), Lynch joins “Night of the Cookers” with fellow trumpeters Thomas Marriott, Noah Halpern and Aaron Tevis.

Opening the show will be high school phenoms Halpern and Tevis with an all high-school rhythm section.

Lynch and Marriott will then share the stage backed by Eric Verlinde on piano, Phil Sparks on bass and Matt Jorgensen on drums.

Lynch will also be performing Saturday, March 16, with the Mountlake Terrace Big Band at 7:00pm (21801 44th Ave W, Mountlake Terrace WA 98043)

JAZZ ALLEY: Leo Kottke
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Bellevue College Big Band
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 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

PINK DOOR: Casey MacGill Trio
1919 Post Alley, Seattle, 9:00pm

THE CHAPEL: Quasar Sax Quartet
Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, 8:00pm

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Istvan & Farko
216 Union Street, Seattle, 5:00pm

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Vocal Showcase featuring Fathia Atallah, David Arteaga and Elaine Bonow
9pm – Vocal Jam hosted by Julie Olson
1707 NW Market Street, Seattle, 206-789-1621

by Howard Londner

Mar 6, 2013 – Jargon
The Triple Door Musicquarium
Bryan Smith – alto sax
Gregg Belisle-Chi – guitar
Carmen Rothwell – double bass
Max Wood – drums

All original songs by Bryan Smith and Gregg Belisle-Chi. All of them good. A couple of them could swing a little more. On solos Mr Belisle-Chi’s guitar was a little too loud. Otherwise he demonstrated the kind of excellence we can expect from him. Bryan Smith also played very good. Excellent solos. Ms Rothwell played good. Had one really outstanding solo. She does need to step up more, play with more audacity, especially while accompanying, drive those cats! Mr Wood also played good, with good solos. I sense Max needs to have more fun. He seems to intense.

There were many distractions to the musicians tonight, that I hope to write about in more detail at a later date. Playing and listening isn’t neurosurgery, still, distractions have to effect you. I would say this band plays a thoughtful kind jazz, yet not pathetically serious. They will be playing at the Royal Room April 1 with Christian Pincock’s band. Check it out and you tell me.

The Seamonster Lounge –  Jacque Willis Presents…
Jacque Willis – vibes, keytar
Kate Olson – soprano sax
Paul Fischer – guitar
Geoff Harper – double bass
Byron Vannoy – drums

Only caught the last half of the last set. Good Music. Fusion. Good solos by everyone except Byron who didn’t take one. Jacque rotates different people the first Wednesday of each month at the Seamonster.

Mar 7, 2013 – Jacob Zimmerman Quintet
Egan’s Ballard Jam House
Jacob Zimmerman – alto sax
Ray Larsen – trumpet
Gus Carns – piano
Mark Hunter – double bass
John Bishop – drums

This band was a real treat, playing Bebop era songs. Jacob Zimmerman,  Racer Sessions kid, showed his dexterity in different genres, and also how good an alto player he is. Good tone, vocabulary, and solos. Ray Larsen played powerfully, yet didn’t overwhelm the small room. Great crowd pleasing solos. Gus Carns brought an off beat bent to these traditional Bebop tunes with some crazy chords and intervals. John Bishop played well. Good solos. Mark Hunter was very impressive. Good solos, and his swinging bass lines
kept the rhythm section on course between the two independent styles of Mr Bishop and Mr Carns. Read More

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

JAZZ ALLEY: Jackie Ryan
2033 6th Avenue, Seattle WA 98121, (206) 441-9729, 6:30pm

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

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

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

IMPfest V: Honey Noble & UW Modern Band w/ Cuong Vu, Greg Sinibaldi
Parnassus Cafe, UW Campus, 7:00pm

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

JAZZ ALLEY: Lydia Pense and Cold Blood
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

ROYAL ROOM: Piano Royale/ African Music Nite with Denbaya and Spirit of Ojah
5000 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, 8:00pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Thelxie Eaves Trio
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: Brian Kent and Chris Symer
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

UNCLE THURMS: Jho Blenis & Shelly Ely
3709 South G Street, Tacoma, (253) 475-1881, 7:30pm

Note: In a previous review I spelled Mr Chad McCollough’s name incorrectly. Sorry, Chad. Chad will be at Hiroshi’s  Mar 15.

Feb 28, 2013 – Barca
Adam Kessler – drums
Phil Sparks – double bass
Victor Noriega – keys

The only thing I didn’t care for at this gig was the tone of Mr Noriega’s keyboard. His playing was very good. He spends most  of his time between NY and Vancouver, BC. He’ll be at the Royal Room to play with Chris Stover Mar 26.

Mr Sparks was playing great as usual. Mr Kessler played better than I’ve ever heard him.

The harmonies were good. Not sweet like Brahms. Together, yet coarse.

Sitting in for a couple of tunes each were Brad Gibson, drums, Evan Flory-Barnes, bass, and Greg   Schroeder, trombone. Everyone played very good, with some exceptional notes from Mr Schroeder, who will be at Hiroshi’s Mar 8. A very, very good night. A lot of fun.

Mar 1, 2013 – Latona Pub
Victor Noriega – keys
Phil Sparks – double bass
Abe Lagrimas, Jr – drums

Tonight the keyboard sounded more like a piano, more enjoyable. Mr Noriega and Mr Sparks both played very good. Mr Lagrimas is a Hawaiian kid who moved to LA about 2007. He was up here visiting family and probably needed some pocket change. He’s a good drummer. Check him out online, and maybe you can catch him next time he’s up here, or if you’re down in LA.

This is Phil’s gig. Every Friday evening five to seven.  He rotates different people to play with him. Sometimes, people sit in. Tonight Darian Asplund added his tenor sax for one song. He sounded fine. Read More