Seattle Jazz Scene

from The Seattle Times:

Sara Gazarek, a keenly swinging, emotive vocalist who attended Seattle’s Roosevelt High School and now teaches jazz at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, is home for Christmas. The spirited singer recently signed a recording contract with the highly respected Palmetto label (Fred Hersch, Ben Allison, Kate McGarry) and just recorded a new album produced by keyboard man Larry Goldings. The disc is due next year, but you can hear Gazarek with Roosevelt homey Sean Hutchinson (drums), John Hansen (piano) and David Dawda (bass) at 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle; $20.50 (206-441-9729 or www.jazzalley.com).

NEW ORLEANS: Thomas Marriott’s Flexicon
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 8:00pm

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

JAZZ ALLEY: Tingstad and Rumbel
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

BAKE’S PLACE: Geoffrey Castle
4135 Providence Point Dr. SE Issaquah, (425) 391-3335, 7:30pm

HIROSHI’S: Chuck Kistler Quartet
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966

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

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Phil Westbrook
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, (206) 772-6891

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Rick Leppanen & Susan Pascal
1520 NE 177th, Shoreline, (206) 365-4447, 8:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Cherlyn Johnson & Heartdance Christmas Special
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Eric Patterson/Gary Fukishima Quartet with Eric Patterson (alto sax), Gary Fukushima (keys), Eric Eagle (drums) and Geoff Harper (bass)
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

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

LUCID: Lisa Markley & Bruce Balmer
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

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

SEAMONSTER: Shawn Mickelson Quintet
2202 N 45th St, 206-992-1120, 10:00pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: David Friesen Christmas Project
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

THE ROYAL ROOM: Dawn Clement and Varmit
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 9:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
9pm – Cameron Vohr and Eric Hansen
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

JAZZ ALLEY: Tingstad and Rumbel
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

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

THAIKU: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson, Tad Britton – Last Show!
5410 Ballard Ave NW, 8:30pm

LUCID: The Hang
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Reuel Lubag Duo
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

AMORE: Danny Quintero w/ Randy Halberstadt
522 Wall St, Seattle, 206-770-0606, 8:00pm

VITO’S: Tango Ahora
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695

‘Tis the season for jazz clubs opening, closing and moving! And we have another move to report.

Bake’s Place owners Craig and Laura Baker have announced that they are moving their location to Downtown Bellevue.

From the Bake’s Place website:

We are proud to announce that Bake’s Place will be moving to downtown Bellevue in early spring 2012! After successfully presenting live music for 12 years, we are deeply aware of the vast wealth of musical talent in our region. Simply put; we want to present more of these artists. For some time now, we’ve been looking for an opportunity to broaden the scope of what we do. Finally, that opportunity has presented itself.

We believe that music is magic, and our vision has always been to create a true listening environment, where our guests can unwind from the busyness of the modern world and enjoy the space between the notes. Although our location is changing, our vision remains the same. As is our tradition, we will continue to offer world-class music, outstanding cuisine and friendly service in a uniquely intimate setting. We are deeply grateful for your friendship and patronage and are very excited to share the next leg of the adventure with you.

JAZZ ALLEY: David Lanz Annual Winter Solstice & CD release Concert
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

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

THE ROYAL ROOM: Skerik’s Bandalabra
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 9:00pm

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

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio
5410 Ballard Ave NW, 8:30pm

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Steve Messick Quartet
9pm – Freethiopiques, with Jessica Lurie and Joe Doria
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

LUCID: Michelle Searle & Josh Rawlings
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

VITO’S: The Leeni & Love Show
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 7:00pm

418 PUBLIC HOUSE: Claudio Rochat-felix, Ryan Burns, Ian Sheridan
418 NW 65th St, 9:00pm

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Diane Fast-Neale & Bob Neale
1520 NE 177th, Shoreline, (206) 365-4447, 7:00pm

JAZZ ALLEY: David Lanz Annual Winter Solstice & CD release Concert
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

THE ROYAL ROOM: Skerik’s Bandalabra
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 9:00pm

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

MIX: Don Mock, Steve Kim & Jaques Willis
6006 12th Ave South, 206-767-0280, 9:00pm

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

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

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

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – McKarrtet
9pm – USCeattle
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

from The Seattle Times:

Calling out around the world — are you ready for a brand new “Unsilent Night”?

If so, you’ll have your chance in Seattle on Wednesday, the night of the winter solstice, when local experimental-music lovers can take part in a free “worldwide annual communal event” dreamed up by New York composer Phil Kline in 1992.

Here’s how it works: First, go to www.unsilentnight.com to download the music of the evening (think: shimmery tintinnabulations). Once you have it on your boombox, MP3 player, iPhone or other sound-making device, go to the Chapel Performance Space at the Good Shepherd Center (4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., fourth floor, Seattle) at 6:30 p.m.

At 7 p.m., participants will stroll through the streets of Wallingford for 45 minutes, surrounded by “a cloud of sound” that will vary according to your place in the procession. Local composer Tom Baker, the moving force behind the Seattle incarnation of “Unsilent Night,” says anyone can join at any time. If you don’t want to provide sound, you can always serve as a “human resonator.”

The performance is followed at 8 p.m. with a “new-music-office-holiday-party,” hosted by the Seattle Composers’ Salon, geared to artists who don’t have an office holiday party of their own to attend.

If you have a boombox to lend or need more information, contact [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]. Seattle is just one of 25 cities taking part in this event. To see who else is participating, go to www.unsilentnight.com, where you can also sample the music and look at video of “Unsilent Nights” of yesteryear.

THE ROYAL ROOM:
8:00pm Crystal Beth
8:45pm Seattle Conduction Big Band
9:45pm Racer at the Royal Room
5000 Rainier Avenue South

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

PARATII: Paratii session w/ Jeff Busch
5463 Leary Ave NW, 206-420-7406, 8:00pm

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Lee Redfield
216 Union Street, Seattle, 206-838-4333, 5:00pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Vocal Jam with Darin Clendenin Trio
2214 2nd Ave, Seattle, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

AMORE: JT/TK Quartet
2301 5th Ave, 206-770-0606, 7:30pm

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: Offbeats Jazz Choir
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

THE ROYAL ROOM:
7:00pm JazzED New Works Ensemble
7:45pm Scrape
8:30pm Washington Composers Orchestra (WACO)
9:00pm Painting the Town Red
9:30pm Thousands
10:30pm WACO (second set)
plus a short solo set by Bill Frisell
5000 Rainier Avenue South

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
4pm – Jay Thomas Big Band
8pm – Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221

JAZZ ALLEY: Taj Mahal Trio
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729

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

CAFE RACER: Evan Woodle
5828 Roosevelt Way NE, 8pm

DARRELL’S TAVERN: Kevin Mccarthy & Friends Jam Session
18041 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, 8

FAIRE GALLERY CAFE: Monktail session
1351 E Olive Way, Seattle 206-652-0781

SERAFINA: 11:00am: Alex Guilbert Duo; 6:30pm: Jerry Frank
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807

VITO’S LOUNGE: 6pm: Ruby Bishop; 9:30pm: Ron Weinstein Trio
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 6:00pm

PROHIBITION GRILL: Bob Strickland jam
1414 Hewitt Ave, Everett, 425-258-6100, 5:00pm

NEW ORLEANS: Thomas Marriott’s Flexicon
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 8:00pm

THE ROYAL ROOM:
7:00pm Guardian Alien
7:45pm Frances McCue and Robin Holcomb
8:15pm The Robin Holcomb Band
9:30pm Sam Boshnack Quintet
10:30pm Zony Mash
12:00pm Yada Yada Blues Band
5000 Rainier Avenue South

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

JAZZ ALLEY: Taj Mahal Trio
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

BAKE’S PLACE: Tingstad and Rumbel
4135 Providence Point Dr. SE Issaquah, (425) 391-3335, 7:30pm

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

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

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Dina Blade
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, (206) 772-6891

NORTH CITY BISTRO: David George Quartet
1520 NE 177th, Shoreline, (206) 365-4447, 8:00pm

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

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

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Chip Parker, with Ed Weber (piano), Geoff Cooke (bass) and Robert Rushing (drums)
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

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

LUCID: Don Mock / Steve Kim / Jacques Willis / Ryan Burns
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

SCOTCH AND VINE: Al Miller
22341 Marine View Dr S, Des Moines, 7:00pm

from The Seattle Times:

Paul West, an ebullient pianist, singer and humorist who entertained several generations on Seattle’s lounge scene from the 1950s forward, died Monday.

He was 76. The cause was prostate cancer.

Though Mr. West worked much of his life as an advertising man by day, he played music by night. He was probably best known for his ’70s trio BLT — Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato — featuring bassist Rolf Johnson (son of well-known Seattle architect Sig Johnson) and vocalist Gail Clements.

Seattle’s cocktail-lounge scene — all but vanished now — thrived until the early ’80s and featured jazz-inflected soloists and combos playing music that could slide easily from background to foreground. BLT played at the Sixth Avenue Motor Inn, among other venues, across the street from the present Jazz Alley.

A fan of bluesy pianists such as Mose Allison, Oscar Peterson and Ray Charles, Mr. West was well-respected in Seattle jazz circles, singing Allison’s “Parchman Farm” in a husky baritone and also doing a respectable rendition of hipster comedian Lord Buckley’s bit, “The Naz.”

“Paul was so literate and witty, just a very funny man,” recalled Bob Nein, who also worked in the music business and advertising. “I remember being at a New Year’s Day bowl party. … They had a couple of backs named Rogers and the announcer said something about ‘the injured Rogers.’ Paul said, ‘Injured Rogers and Fred Astaire.’ “

The Royal Room, the new venue opening in Columbia City, is pulling out all the stops this weekend with 21 bands performing over four days.

Here is the schedule:

Friday, December 16
7:00pm Guardian Alien
7:45pm Frances McCue and Robin Holcomb
8:15pm The Robin Holcomb Band
9:30pm Sam Boshnack Quintet
10:30pm Zony Mash
12:00pm Yada Yada Blues Band

Saturday, December 17
7:00pm Soul Food Pinata
7:45pm Sweeter than the Day
8:45pm Today!
9:45pm The 1 Uppers
10:30pm Varmint
11:45pm The Meter Maids
12:30pm The Balls Out Booze Band

Sunday, December 18
7:00pm JazzED New Works Ensemble
7:45pm Scrape
8:30pm Washington Composers Orchestra (WACO)
9:00pm Painting the Town Red
9:30pm Thousands
10:30pm WACO (second set)

Monday, December 19
8:00pm Crystal Beth
8:45pm Seattle Conduction Big Band
9:45pm Racer at the Royal Room

The Royal Room is located at 5000 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, 98118.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Fred Hoadley’s Sonando
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Susan Robinson
9pm – Greta Matassa Christmas Show!
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

JAZZ ALLEY: Taj Mahal Trio
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

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

THAIKU: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson, Tad Britton
5410 Ballard Ave NW, 8:30pm

LUCID: The Hang
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Milo Peterson Trio
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

AMORE: Danny Quintero w/ Randy Halberstadt
522 Wall St, Seattle, 206-770-0606, 8:00pm

VITO’S: Ron Weinstein Trio
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695

JAZZ ALLEY: Taj Mahal Trio
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Hal Sherman’s BCC Jazz 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

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio
5410 Ballard Ave NW, 8:30pm

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Vocal Showcase featuring Katie King, Samantha Capell and Jerome Watson
9pm – Vocal Jam hosted by Pat Johnston
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

LUCID: Farko Collective
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

VITO’S: Jerry Zimmerman
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 7:00pm

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Diane Fast-Neale & Bob Neale
1520 NE 177th, Shoreline, (206) 365-4447, 7:00pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Taj Mahal Trio
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Emerald City Jazz Orchestra
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

MIX: Don Mock, Steve Kim & Jaques Willis
6006 12th Ave South, 206-767-0280, 9:00pm

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

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

VITO’S: Jason Parker Quartet
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 9:00pm

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

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Vocal Showcase, featuring Katie King, Joey Walbaum and Jerome Watson
9pm – Vocal Jam hosted by Pat Johnston
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

New York City’s musicians’ union has begun leafleting outside a major jazz club, the first salvo in what union leaders say is a campaign to gain pension benefits and a minimum wage for jazz artists.

The campaign began quietly last Thursday night, when four members of Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians stood in the cold outside the Blue Note in Greenwich Village and handed out leaflets with the headline “Justice for Jazz Artists!” Musicians continued passing out information outside the Blue Note over the weekend and said they would do so again starting on Thursday.

“It’s just a sin that we have no pension,” said Keisha St. Joan, 72, a jazz vocalist who was distributing leaflets. “I will not have a pension before I die.”

Continue reading at The New York Times.

via MyBallard:

Ballard is losing one of its Thai restaurants. After nearly a decade in old Ballard, Thaiku (5410 Ballard Ave. NW) is closing.

Staff was told last week that the restaurant would close on December 23rd. The bar, however, may stay open until the end of the year. Staff tell us that the landlord has raised the rent to an amount they can’t afford, so the owners have decided to close.

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

TRIPLE DOOR: Stacey Kent
216 Union Street, Seattle, 206-838-4333, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jessica Stenson / Lisa DeCosta Group
2214 2nd Ave, Seattle, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

AMORE: JT/TK Quartet
2301 5th Ave, 206-770-0606, 7:30pm

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: Carolyn Graye Singer’s Soiree
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Human Spirit (Thomas Marriott, Mark Taylor, Matt Jorgensen, Bill Anschell and Mark Hunter)
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Taj Mahal Trio
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

BAKE’S PLACE: Kellee Bradley
4135 Providence Point Dr. SE Issaquah, (425) 391-3335, 7:30pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Kelley Johnson w/ John Hansen
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, 206-772-6891

BOXLEY’S: Katy Bourne Quintet
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Chris Johansen Quartet, with Chris Johansen (sax), Brendan O’Donnell (guitar), Nate Parker (bass) and Jose Martinez (drums)
9pm – IOU’s Jazz Band with vocalist Susanna Fuller, with William Charney (guitar), Jay Kenney (piano), Dylan Hughes (bass), Chris Leighton (drums) and Susanna Fuller (vocals)
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

SERAFINA: Jose Gonzales Trio
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807

SCOTCH AND VINE: Milo Petersen & Heather Keizur
22341 Marine View Dr S, Des Moines, 7:00pm

VITO’S: 6pm: Ruby Bishop
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 6:00pm

VINO AT THE LANDING: Brooks Giles
800 N 10th Pl, Renton, 7:00pm

LUCID: The Schwa
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

THE CHAPEL: The Tiptons
Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave N