Tuesday Jazz

October 25, 2011 / / No Comments
EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL:

Triple Door, 7pm
Garfield High School w/ Wessell Anderson
The always exciting Garfield jazz band, nationally acclaimed, performs with special guest, alto saxophonist Wessell Anderson, a veteran of the bands of Wynton Marsalis and a respected leader in his own right. $18 general, $16 members/seniors, $7 students

Tula’s Jazz Club, 7:30pm
Cory Weeds Group
The Vancouver BC saxophonist has played with B3 master Dr Lonnie Smith, The Night Crawlers, and mellow vocalist Paul Anka while also excelling as a leader. His The Many Deeds of Cory Weeds (2010) featured organist Joey DeFrancesco, and remained in the JazzWeek charts for 10 weeks. $12 general, $10 members/seniors, $6 students Call 206-443-4221 for reservations.

and the rest …

JAZZ ALLEY: René Marie
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Dina Blade Student Showcase; 9pm – John Ewing Ensemble
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

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

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

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

VITO’S: Wally Shoup Trio
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695

Monday Jazz

October 23, 2011 / / No Comments
EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL:

PONCHO CONCERT HALL, CORNISH COLLEGE, 12PM
Masterclass with Shunzo Ohno
A veteran of both Art Blakey’s and Gil Evans’ bands, trumpeter Shunzo Ohno shares his talent and perspective at this noontime masterclass/clinic. Free and open to the public.

TRIPLE DOOR, 7:30pm
Thomas Mapfumo & Blacks Unlimited
The “Lion of Zimbabwe,” Thomas Mapfumo, presents music that he calls “influenced by the people who are struggling at home. Their voices have been silenced. Someone has got to talk.” His chimurenga – music of struggle – has merged Shona traditions and the West. $20 advance, $23 day of show (Welcomed by KBCS 91.3FM) BUY NOW

CHAPEL PERFORMANCE SPACE, 7:30pm
Nelda Swiggett’s Stringtet
A Seattle gem, pianist Nelda Swiggett creates what All About Jazz called “refined and confident, open and inviting” music with “a bright palette, a sinewy execution, and a powerful, assertive command.” With Chris Symer (bass), Byron Vannoy (drums), Rachel Swerdlow (viola), and Walter Gray (cello). $15 general, $13 members/seniors, $7 students BUY NOW

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB, 7:30pm
Wessell Anderson Quartet
A special Monday night jazz lesson from soulful, searing alto saxophonist Wessell “Warm Daddy” Anderson, with a group of top Seattle sidemen. $14 general, $12 members/seniors, $7 students Call 206-443-4221 for reservations.

and the rest …

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

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Earshot Jazz Festival (see above)
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: Nate Parker Duo
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

Sunday Jazz

October 23, 2011 / / No Comments
EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL:

Triple Door, 7:30pm
The Campbell Brothers: Sacred Steel
Pedal-steel guitar ace Chuck Campbell, his lap-steel playing brother Darick, and their sizzling band deliver devoutly rocking Holiness-Pentecostal repertoire with growling, wailing, swinging steel. The group includes another Campbell brother, Phil (electric guitar) and his son Carlton (drums), as well as Katie Jackson’s soul-curing vocals. $22 general, $20 members/seniors, $12 students (Co-presented with the Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas) (Welcomed by KBCS 91.3FM)

Tula’s, 8pm
Jay Thomas / Shunzo Ohno Group
Seattle’s multihorn great collaborates with searing, stylish, New York-based Japanese trumpet bebopper Shunzo Ohno, a veteran of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, with a fine Seattle lineup. $15 general, $13 members/seniors, $7 students Call 206-443-4221 for reservations.

and the rest …

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
4pm – Easy Street Jazz Band
8pm – Earshot Jazz Festival (see above)
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221

JAZZ ALLEY: The Jazz Crusaders featuring Joe Sample, Wayne Henderson and Wilton Felder
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729

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

CAFE RACER: Racer Session
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: Pasquale Santos; 6:30pm: Anne Reynolds & Tobi Stone
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

Today is Saturday, or as we call it, Jimmy Cobb Day!

October 22, 2011 / / No Comments
EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL:

Town Hall Seattle, 8pm
Celebrating Coltrane & Mingus: We Four
(Javon Jackson, Mulgrew Miller,
Nat Reeves, Jimmy Cobb)
Sonando
Among tributes to John Coltrane, We Four ranks as the most soulful and masterful: joining the tenor-sax hard bopper, Jackson, are piano master Miller, peerless bassist Reeves, and – here’s the clincher – NEA Jazz Master and Kind of Blue drum vet Jimmy Cobb. Opening: Fred Hoadley’s expanded Sonando nonet with guests Thomas Marriott (trumpet) and Mark Taylor (sax), bring a Latin slant to the restless genius of Charles Mingus. $22 general, $20 members/seniors, $10 students (Co-presented with the Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas) (Welcomed by KPLU 88.5FM NPR)

Kirkland Performance Center, 8pm
Evan Flory-Barnes Acknowledgement of a Celebration:
Inheritance, Authenticity, & Healing
A reprise of the 2009 Earshot Golden Ear performance of the year. The bassist brings back his Earshot- and Meet the Composer-commissioned work for large-ensemble fusion of jazz, hip-hop, and classical music with dancers and break-dancers. $22-$25 (Commissioned as part of a national series of works from Meet the Composer’s Commissioning Music/USA program)
(Welcomed by 91.3 KBCS)

Saturday, october 22 & sunday, October 23 Tula’s, 8pm
Jay Thomas / Shunzo Ohno Group
Seattle’s multihorn great collaborates with searing, stylish, New York-based Japanese trumpet bebopper Shunzo Ohno, a veteran of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, with a fine Seattle lineup. $15 general, $13 members/seniors, $7 students Call 206-443-4221 for reservations.

and the rest …

JAZZ ALLEY: The Jazz Crusaders featuring Joe Sample, Wayne Henderson and Wilton Felder
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Coreena Brown
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, 206-772-6891

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

SERAFINA: Alex Guilbert Trio
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807

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

VITO’S: 6pm: Ruby Bishop; 9:30pm: Wheedles Groove
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 6:00pm

LUCID: Unsinkable Heavies
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

Friday Jazz

October 21, 2011 / / No Comments
EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL:

Tula’s, 7:30PM
Johnaye Kendrick Quartet
The vocalist and Cornish instructor was acclaimed early by DownBeat, studied at the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute, and works often with trumpeter Nicholas Payton who has lavished her with praise. With Dawn Clement (piano), Chris Symer (bass), and Byron Vannoy (drums). $14 general, $12 members/seniors, $7 students Call 206-443-4221 for reservations.

Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall, 8pm
Brad Mehldau
One of the most astounding of instrumentalists performing today – lyrical, intimate, complex – this giant among pianists is at his most expansive and riveting when playing solo. He has forged a distinctive amalgam of jazz exploration, classical romanticism, and pop appeal, to vast critical acclaim. He is “universally admired as one of the most adventurous pianists” (LA Times) on the jazz scene today. $32 general, $30 members/seniors, $16 students (Welcomed by KPLU 88.5FM NPR)

and the rest …

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

JAZZ ALLEY: The Jazz Crusaders featuring Joe Sample, Wayne Henderson and Wilton Felder
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

CAFE PALOMA: Wayne Horvitz
93 Yesler Way, Seattle, 206-405-1920, 7:30pm

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

HIROSHI’S: Yujiro Trio
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966

LATONA PUB: Thomas Marriott, Geoff Harper and Matt Jorgensen
6423 Latona Avenue NE, 5:00 – 7:00pm, No Cover, 21+

BOXLEY’S: Shunzo Ohno & Jay Thomas
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Rene Laigo with Eric Verlinde (piano), Jamael Nance (drums), and Chuck Kistler (bass)
9pm – Dina Blade and Marco de Carvahlo
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

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

LUCID: Chelsea Crabtree Quartet
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

Thursday Jazz

October 20, 2011 / / No Comments
EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL:

Kirkland Performance Center, 7:30PM
Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
One of the great big bands performs masterworks of “The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing” – warm, sentimental, and moody – led by bandleader wiz, Nick Hilscher. $32-$35

Thursday, october 20 Tula’s, 7:30pm
Beat Kaestli Group
The “likably suave jazz singer” (NY Times), a Swiss New Yorker, has forged jazz, R&B, gospel, musical theater, and Latin jazz into a personal style based in European song. $14 general, $12 members/seniors, $7 students Call 206-443-4221 for reservations.

and the rest …

JAZZ ALLEY: The Jazz Crusaders featuring Joe Sample, Wayne Henderson and Wilton Felder
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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7pm – Paraffin; 9pm – Randall O’Dowd
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621, 9:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Syd Potter Quartet
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

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

Wednesday Jazz

October 19, 2011 / / No Comments
EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL:

TULA’S: Matt Slocum Trio
2214 2nd Ave, 8pm Call 206-443-4221 for reservations.

THE CHAPEL: Avram Fefer Trio featuring Chad Taylor & Michael Bisio
4649 Sunnyside Avenue N (Wallingford), 4th Floor, 8pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Louis Prima Jr.
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

TRIPLE DOOR: Robben Ford Trio
216 Union Street, Seattle, 206-838-4333, 7:30pm

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

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

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

LUCID: Don Berman Quartet
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

Seattle Symphony embraces rock, jazz giants

October 18, 2011 / / No Comments

From The Seattle Times:

It’s a perennial challenge for symphony orchestras everywhere: how to get people who’ve never heard Haydn, Schubert or Mahler played in a concert hall to come hear anything at all.

Seattle Symphony Orchestra has found novel and delightful ways to lure newcomers — including concerts of video-game music and this week’s program of sci-fi movie scores — and has had some success. SSO’s hope is that a neophyte who enjoys the sound of a live orchestra performing something familiar might then be interested in exploring classical fare.

It’s a good idea.

But “Sonic Evolution” could be a better one.

A unique experiment in building new, symphonic repertoire inspired by the legacies of musical giants from such popular genres as jazz and rock, “Sonic Evolution” is a strong signal from new music director Ludovic Morlot that he means it when he says good music is good music, and distinctions can miss a larger point.

…

Morlot says the other new compositions — Cuong Vu’s “ONE,” a tribute to Jones; William Brittelle’s “Obituary Birthday: A Requiem for Kurt Cobain”; and Vladimir Nikolaev’s “The Sinewaveland: Homage to Jimi Hendrix” — are not jazz or rock tunes with orchestra accompaniment.

“You’re not going to hear a melody or tune from Jones or Cobain,” says Morlot. “It’s more encompassing the spirit of those artists in an original symphonic piece.”

Vu, the Grammy-winning, Seattle-based jazz trumpeter, will perform on “ONE,” which was inspired by Jones’ 1980s production work with Michael Jackson and James Ingram.

“I tried to set up some atmospheres that reflected that type of energy,” says Vu. “A lot of brass, trumpets, lines. Addressing groove with the orchestra was a challenge.”

Read the complete story at The Seattle Times.

Tuesday Jazz

October 18, 2011 / / No Comments
EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL:

TULA’S: Matt Slocum Trio
2214 2nd Ave, 8pm Call 206-443-4221 for reservations.

THE CHAPEL: Rich Halley Trio + 1
4649 Sunnyside Avenue N (Wallingford), 4th Floor, 8pm

and the rest …

JAZZ ALLEY: Louis Prima Jr.
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Gravity, with Tim Kennedy, Ian Sheridan and Claudio Rochat Felix
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

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

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

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

Out of This Coat Closet – John Coltrane in Seattle

October 17, 2011 / / No Comments

From Steve Griggs’ blog:

Two teenagers wait outside the club, ears tuned in a cool September night breeze for sounds from inside. No cover charge. No bouncer at the door. They slip through the entrance, make a quick left and hide in the coat closet. From behind the coats they see the band on stage. Someone shoos them out but they sneak back in.

The underage boys are drummers Gregg Keplinger and Dave Guilland. They hope to catch a glimpse of the band with the number one jazz album, A Love Supreme, led by John Coltrane, the musician voted best jazz saxophonist in Down Beat magazine. But a big draw for them is Elvin Jones, the percussionist blasting the band into orbit. The year is 1965.

The club is The Penthouse, a 225-seat tavern on the ground floor of an old hotel near the corner of 1st Avenue and Cherry in Seattle. The establishment is owned by Charlie Puzzo. He has another tavern nearby, The Playboy, with Seattle’s best jazz jukebox. But this club is the place to hear artists play live.

Puzzo’s booking manager, Bill Owens, sandwiched Coltrane’s week-long Seattle visit between the band’s gigs in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Owens whispers to his friends just before the band takes the stage, “This will be like nothing you have ever heard.” A critic for the Seattle Times, Ed Baker, is within earshot and jots down the comment for his review. He writes in his notebook, “Some members of the audience will hear chaos only; others will find beauty emerging from an inferno. It’s an experience—the most unusual experience that modern jazz has to offer.”

Continue reading on Steve Griggs’ blog.

Photos: Human Spirit at Tula’s

October 16, 2011 / / No Comments

Photos by Jim Levitt

Human Spirit (Thomas Marriott – trumpet, Mark Taylor – saxophone, Orrin Evans – piano, Essiet Essiet – bass and Matt Jorgensen – drums) recording at Tula’s Jazz Club during the second night of their two-night sold-out run at the Earshot Jazz Festival.

Monday Jazz

October 16, 2011 / / No Comments

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

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jazz 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: Milo Peterson Duo
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

Saturday Jazz

October 15, 2011 / / No Comments
EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL:

TULA’S: Human Spirit
2214 2nd Ave, 8pm Call 206-443-4221 for reservations.

SEATTLE ASIAN ART MUSUEM: Trio BraamDeJoodeVatcher
1400 East Prospect St (Volunteer Park), Seattle, 8pm

BRECHEMIN AUDITORIUM: Craig Taborn & Gust Burns
Room 126, School of Music, University of Washington, 8pm FREE

and the rest …

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

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

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Dina Blade w/ Marco de Carvalho
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, 206-772-6891

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7PM: Conrad Tovar
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

SERAFINA: Leo Raymundo Trio, ft. Sue Nixon
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807

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

VITO’S: 6pm: Ruby Bishop; 9:30: The Nightcaps
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 6:00pm

LUCID: Kandinsky Effect
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

Friday Jazz

October 13, 2011 / / No Comments

EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL:

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB – 8PM: Human Spirit (Thomas Marriott, Mark Taylor, Orrin Evans, Essiet Essiet and Matt Jorgensen – Live Recording)

TOWN HALL: Roosevelt & Mountlake Terrace High School Jazz Bands (7pm); Endangered Blood (9pm)

RAINIER VALLY CULTURAL CENTER – 7PM: Elspeth Savani, Correo Aereo

other events:

NEW ORLEANS: Chad McCullough
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 8:00pm

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

ARABICA LOUNGE: Fluke
1550 E Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98102

CAFE PALOMA: Wayne Horvitz
93 Yesler Way, Seattle, 206-405-1920, 7:30pm

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

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

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

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

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Tap Jam, hosted by Jessie Sawyers
9pm – Annie Reed and Jose Gonzales
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

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

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

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

LUCID: Smoke & Honey
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

SCOTCH AND VINE: Ambience Jazz Quartet
22341 Marine View Dr S, Des Moines, 7:00pm

Seattle Times: Earshot has Keith Jarrett, other hot headliners

October 13, 2011 / / No Comments

from The Seattle Times:

The Earshot Jazz Festival, which gets under way Friday in three Seattle venues, has earned a well-deserved reputation as a carefully curated event friendly to new and challenging music.

That’s often meant modest crowds, but with headliners like Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau, The Bad Plus and the husband-and-wife team Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes — all, as it happens, pianocentric acts — the festival should pack them in this year. Overall, more than 50 acts will appear in 15 different venues.

Beyond ivory ticklers, Earshot’s 23rd edition showcases a rich variety of constituencies — women, very young players, locally connected musicians, world musicians and, as always, the Dutch avant-garde.

Jarrett, 66, whose trio is one of the premiere acts in jazz, has played Earshot before, but a return visit is always cause for celebration. Though widely known for stunning solo improvisations, the pianist enjoys near-telepathic communication with bassist Gary Peacock — who taught at Seattle’s Cornish College for years — and drummer Jack DeJohnette.

Continue reading at The Seattle Times.

Thursday Jazz

October 13, 2011 / / No Comments

SEATTLE ART MUSEUM: Jon Jang
Seattle Art Museum, 1300 1st Ave, 206-654-3100, 5:30pm

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

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Lisa Fox Quintet
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

SEAMONSTER LOUNGE: Ask The Ages w/ The Suffering F*ckheads
2202 N 45th St, Seattle, 206-992-1120

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7pm – Roxi Copland; 9pm – Lorrie Ruiz and Joe Doria
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621, 9:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Oktoberfest w/ AlpenFolk
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

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

Wednesday Jazz

October 11, 2011 / / No Comments

If you are in New York City, The Deardorf/Peterson Group is performing at Symphony Space … for the rest of us in Seattle, here is what’s happening on Wednesday:

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

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: SCCC 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: Pearl Django
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Vocal Showcase and Jam
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

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

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

Photos: Trio Commando debut and Eric Barber solo

October 11, 2011 / / No Comments

From EyeShot Jazz (a great photo blog you should check out, especially since the Earshot Festival starts this weekend and there will be updates almost daily!)


Trio Commando made their public debut at the chapel Performance Space opening up for Eric Barber, performing improvisations, excavations and conversations through a high powered trio configuration featuring Wayne Horvitz (piano), Samantha Boshnack(trumpets), and Beth Fleenor (clarinets/voice). Unexpected and brilliant set of music with exciting electronic and vocal intermixing.


Saxophonist Eric Barber, an innovative saxophonist and composer in the world of jazz, world, and improvised music gave a solo performance last night at the Chapel Performance Space. I was entranced by the sounds he blew and recorded in his black box and then played on top of again and again and twice he played pieces with recorded human voices including his young daughter’s. Beautiful.