Seattle Jazz Scene

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
3pm – Jazz Police Big Band
8pm – Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Pearl Django with Special Guest Martin Tayl
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729

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

BAKE’S PLACE:
10am – Sunday Breakfast w/ Michael Gotz
4135 Providence Point Dr SE, Issaquah, 425-391-3335

CAFE RACER: Racer Sessions
5828 Roosevelt Way NE, 8pm

DARRELL’S TAVERN: Jam w/ Kevin McCarthy
18041 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, 8pm

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

JAZZ ALLEY: Pearl Django with Special Guest Martin Taylor
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

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

LUCID: Sambatuque
5241 University Ave NE, Seattle, (206) 402-3042, 9:00pm

SERAFINA: Leo Raymundo Quartet with Sue Nixon
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 323-0807, 9pm

THE CHAPEL: Sounds Outside Benefit
Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave N

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm-Jose Gonzales Trio
1707 NW Market St, 789-1621

LAKESIDE BISTRO: call venue
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, (206) 772-6891

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

from Jim Wilke:

There’s an amazing amount of activity in the jazz world this week…. the JEN conference (successor to IAJE) is this week in New Orleans, the APAP presenters conference is happening in New York City and both are chock full of artists’ showcases and presentations and concerts, stirring up more interest and involvement in Jazz.

Add to this the NEA Jazz Masters Awards Tuesday night in New York (already sold out) and you have a lot of positive energy in the jazz world over the next several days. NEA Jazz Masters Awards recipients this year are Hubert Laws, David Liebman, Johnny Mandel, and the Marsalis Family (!), all of whom will have features with the LCJO. Record producer Orin Keepnews will receive the Jazz Advocacy Award.

Roberta Gambarini will pay tribute to some of those greats who passed in the last year, notably Hank Jones and James Moody (who were both close personal friends of hers) and Abbey Lincoln and Dr.Billy Taylor. Although not yet quite prime time enough for CBS, NBC, ABC or PBS, the Awards event will be video streamed live on Tuesday @ 4:30 PM (Pacific) (7:30 Eastern) through arts.gov. Live audio will be available on WBGO/wbgo.org, Sirius XM Ch.70 and npr.org/music.

Yesterday, I had a nice phone conversation with one of the NEA Jazz Masters recipients, the saxophonist Dave Liebman, who at 64 is one of the first of his generation to be so honored. He’s one of the hardest working guys in the biz; small groups, recording, touring, teaching, composing, big bands, workshops, etc, etc. There were major feature articles on Lieb in the December JazzTimes and January DownBeat. A veteran of Miles Davis, Lookout Farm, Quest, Saxophone Summit, fusion, bop, post bop, numerous bands of his own, he’s in New Orleans this weekend for the JEN, and also playing a gig at Snug Harbor … he’s an amazing dynamo. It’s an honor to have him as guest on Jazz After Hours in the 1 AM hour Saturday night/Sunday morning.

I think April was supposed to Jazz Appreciation Month, but January is looking pretty good, too!

Jim Wilke
Jazz After Hours, PRI
http://jazzafterhours.org

Guitarist Chris Spencer has also been making a name for himself as a studio owner and recording engineer. We got an email from him announcing the remodel of his studio and offering a special Winter Rate. Read below.

Over the past 18 months I’ve been working on a remodel of my recording studio space, Sofia Hat Studios, resulting in a larger, more comfortable place to record. We can accommodate sessions up to half a dozen musicians and work either isolated or in the same open space. In addition, we are very pleased to announce the addition of a fine grand piano, a Fandrich 6’ 8”. Darrell Fandrich is a local technician who is known for his innovative techniques and gorgeous sounding instruments and we feel very fortunate to have one in our space.

We have also made more of an investment on our gear, a larger selection of microphones, preamps, and converters; all the important things to make better sounding recordings. You can find a complete list of all our gear on through the link below.

As I have slowly put my space back together, reorganized and refitted, I decided to redesign my studio website, adding more content, demo material and conveniences such as online booking. At your convenience please have a look and spread the word to any friends, students, and coworkers who might be interested.

Also, I’d like to offer you a $5/hr break on the session rates good through March 21. That’s $35/hr, so a typical 4 hour session would come in less than $150. Just mention this email or the “winter special rate”. Thanks for taking a look and hope to see you soon.

Thanks and Happy New Year,
Chris Spencer
Website: http://www.sophiahatstudio.com

The Seattle Times has published their list of the Top 10 Jazz CDs of 2010. Actually, they reprinted The Chicago Tribune’s Howard Reich’s list of top jazz CDs.

Is it too much to ask that Seattle’s only daily newspaper actually hire a jazz writer to write a story that has some sort of relevance to community in which they are based?

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

JAZZ ALLEY: Pearl Django with Special Guest Martin Taylor
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

NEW ORLEANS: Brent Jensen Quartet
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 8:00pm

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

AMORE: Lonnie Williams
2301 5th Ave, (206) 770-0606

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

BAKE’S PLACE: Greta Matassa and Jovon Miller
4135 Providence Point Dr. SE Issaquah, (425) 391-3335, 7:30pm

LUCID: Leif Totusek, Johnny Conga, Derek Learned and friends
5241 University Ave NE, Seattle, (206) 402-3042, 9:00pm

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

SERAFINA: Djangomatics
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 323-0807, 9pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Trish Hatley and Hans Bremer
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, (206) 772-6891

Earshot’s John Gilbreath lands at #17 of CityArts magazine’s list of Seattle’s top culture makers. He is in between The Seattle Channel’s Nancy Guppy and Pacific Northwest Ballett’s Artistic Director Peter Boal … fine company indeed.

from CityArts:

17 John Gilbreath
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EARSHOT JAZZ
John Gilbreath says his to-do list is a block and a half long, and it’s easy to see why. Earshot produces nearly a hundred performances each year, including a monthly concert series at the Seattle Art Museum and the renowned annual Earshot Jazz Festival, which Gilbreath has grown from a three-day to a three-week event. The longtime host for KEXP’s Jazz Theater, he’s also given prominent airtime on KBCS, where his show The Caravan, which showcases world music that has roots in jazz, airs every weekday. He also serves on the board of directors for the Western Jazz Presenters Network and the new Seattle JazzED program and sculpts when he, ahem, carves out enough free time.

from Jim Wilke’s Jazz After Hours Best of 2010 List:

Each year I publish a list of jazz CDs issued in the past year that I found most interesting and enjoyable. The list is selected from among the thousand or so CDs received in an average year. It also represents music that I have played frequently on Jazz After Hours and Jazz Northwest. The Best NW category zeros in on musicians in our area but only as a point of reference. Musically, their CDs could just as well be in the national categories.

Gail Pettis – Here In the Moment – Origin
Hadley Caliman – Straight Ahead – Origin
Nelda Swiggett – This Time – OA2
Wellstone Conspiracy – Motives – Origin
Karin Plato – Out of Town – KVP
Dave Peck – Modern Romance – Let’s Play Stella
Ziggurat Quartet – Calculated Gesture – Origin
Cory Weeds – The Many Deeds of – Cellar Live
Matt Jorgensen – Tattooed by Passion – Origin
Hadley Caliman/Pete Christlieb – Reunion – Origin
Randy Halberstadt – Flash Point – Origin
Thomas Marriott – Constraints & Liberations – Origin
Greta Matassa & Clipper Anderson – And To All A Good Night – Origin

Click hereJazz After Hours Best of 2010 List to read Jim’s complete list.

Fri., Jan. 7, noon – 1 p.m.
City Hall

Assistant Conductor Eric Garcia will lead the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and guest bassoon soloist Andrew Brady in a free concert at City Hall. This special performance is part of Seattle Symphony’s ACCESS Project (Artistic and Cultural Community Engagement with Seattle Symphony), which is dedicated to bringing classical music to communities throughout the region, especially to underserved areas.

After the concert, audience members are invited to mingle with symphony members at a post-performance reception in City Hall’s Bertha Knight Landes Room.

from OneWorkingMusisican.com

The year-end lists are flooding in, and the jazz blogosphere is replete with best-of’s. I know I’m a little late to the party, but as I did last year, I thought I would put my own spin on this yearly ritual and shine the spotlight on the amazing jazz talent we have right here in the Emerald City.

There were many more than 10 great CD’s released by Seattle jazz artists in 2010, so I couldn’t put everyone on this list. I’m sure there’s one or two I’ve forgotten, so please feel free to add yours in the comments section. I reserve the right to amend this list as I’m reminded of the other great CD’s that came out of Seattle this year.

Here they are, in no particular order:

Matt Jorgensen – Tattooed By Passion (Origin Records)
Andy Clausen Sextet – Follow (self-produced)
Jovino Santos Neto – Veja o Som – See The Sound (Adventure Music)
Chad McCullough & Michal Vanoucek – The Sky Cries (Origin Records)
Dave Anderson Quartet – Clarity (Pony Boy Records)
Hadley Caliman – Straight Ahead (Origin Records)
Owcharuk 5 – Kobzar (Broken Time Records)
Wellstone Conspiracy – Motives (Origin Records)
Whitney James – The Nature Of Love (Damselfly Productions)
Thomas Marriott & Ray Vega – East-West Trumpet Summit (Origin Records)

Click here to read Jason’s complete list with descriptions of each CD and to hear sound samples.

Seattle Jazz Scene would also like to make mention of Jason’s last part of his post:

I’d like to point out that I purchased each and every one of these CD’s. None were sent to me free of charge and I was happy to give my support to these great musicians. I hope you’ll consider doing the same.

Well done!

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

JAZZ ALLEY: Pearl Django with Special Guest Martin Taylor
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Bonnie Birch
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 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: Chris Morton
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7pm: Jon Sheckler Group
1707 NW Market St, 206-789-1621

LUCID: Elnah Jordan & Eric Verlinde
5241 University Ave NE, Seattle, 206-402-3042, 8:30pm

Pacific Jazz Institute at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley presents gypsy jazz artists Pearl Django with special guest guitarist Martin Taylor for six nights. Band members include Troy Chapman (guitar), and Ryan Hoffman (Guitar), Rick Leppanen (bass), Michael Gray (violin), David Lange (accordion) and Martin Taylor (guitar). Set times are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday at 7:30pm. Set times Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Doors open at 6:00 pm on Tuesday and 5:30 pm Wednesday through Sunday.

Entering their sixteenth year of performing Pearl Django continues to be one of America’s most respected and busiest Hot Club style groups. Though still strongly influenced by the music of Django Reinhardt, Pearl Django’s repertoire now includes many original compositions. Their music reaches out across the divides of taste to a wide variety of audiences. The band’s fervent followers include Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli fans, guitar enthusiasts, lovers of string music, including bluegrass devotees, who relish nimble, clean, intricate picking, “world music” fans drawn to French and Gypsy accents, plus jazz buffs and aficionados of the new swing music. Transcending simple categorization, Pearl Django packs in enthusiastic audiences at dancehalls and nightclubs, at folk music festivals and jazz festivals alike.

JANUARY 4 – 9
JAZZ ALLEY
2033 6th Avenue
Seattle WA 98121
Reservations: 206.441.9729

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

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Gravity
216 Union St, 206-838-4333, 9:00pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Pearl Django with Special Guest Martin Taylor
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Karin Kajita
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

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

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

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

from The New York Times:

As another holiday season under a stagnating economy draws to a close, it is hardly surprising that San Francisco would lose that rarely profitable of ventures, a jazz room.

But Coda, a bar, restaurant and club in the Mission District, did not seem like it was going under. In just a year and a half, it had established itself as one of the most interesting jazz-based schedules in the Bay Area. Acts like the Jazz Mafia tapped into a vibrant younger music scene, and salsa Sunday bookings and Latin jazz nights sold out. Stevie Wonder dropped by for a set; Liz Phair covered Velvet Underground songs.

Two weeks ago Bruce Hanson, the club’s owner, shocked staff members and promoters with the news that Coda would close after a New Year’s Eve blowout featuring Rayband and 8 Legged Monster.

Mr. Hanson blamed poor economic timing, not the business model or the musical genre. “Maybe if we opened today, we’d make it,” he said.

Continue reading at The New York Times.

Bassist and composer Charles Fambrough passed away on New Year’s Day at his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

During his nearly 40 year professional career, Fambrough performed and recorded with numerous bands, most famously Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and the Wynton Marsalis Quintet, as well as Grover Washington, Jr., McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, Airto Moreira, Shirley Scott, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk to name only a few. At the time of his death, he led his band Charles Fambrough’s All Star Group.

On New Year’s Eve, Jim Wilke broadcast “Auld Lang Syne,” “Webb City” and “One By One” by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers recorded live at the old University Avenue Jazz Alley which featured Fambrough along with Wynton and Branford Marsalis.

For more information, visit this thread at JazzCornerTalk.com.

Charles Fambrough with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers:

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Vocal Jam hosted by Greta Matassa
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

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

AMORE: Ronnie Pierce Jazz Ensemble
2301 5th Ave, 206-770-0606, 7:30pm

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

POGGIE TAVERN: Better World w/ Marc Smason & Joanne Klein
4717 California Ave SW, 206-973-2165, 8:30pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Howard Dixon
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

BOXLEY’S: Blues with Paul Green + Danny Kolke
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
3pm – Reggie Goings Jazz Offering
8pm – Jacob Zimmerman quartet
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Happy New Year!
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729

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

BAKE’S PLACE:
10am – Sunday Breakfast w/ Michael Gotz
4135 Providence Point Dr SE, Issaquah, 425-391-3335

CAFE RACER: Racer Sessions
5828 Roosevelt Way NE, 8pm

DARRELL’S TAVERN: Jam w/ Kevin McCarthy
18041 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, 8pm

LUCID: Seattle Musicians Foundation meeting
5241 University Ave NE, Seattle, (206) 402-3042, 3:00pm

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

LUCID: Fabulous Party Boys
5241 University Ave NE, Seattle, (206) 402-3042, 9:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Happy New Year!
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221

JAZZ ALLEY: Happy New Year!
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729

BAKE’S PLACE: Happy New Year!
4135 Providence Point Dr. SE Issaquah, (425) 391-3335, 7:30pm

SERAFINA: Happy New Year!
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 323-0807, 9pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Happy New Year!
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, (206) 772-6891

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Happy New Year!
1707 NW Market St, 789-1621

Reservations recommended for all venues with New Year’s Packages!

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: New Year’s Eve Party with Stephanie Porter
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 8:30pm, $35

JAZZ ALLEY: Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band
**New Year’s packages include music and food. Prices range from $52-$155/person
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 8:45 & 11:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Kelly Eisenhour Quartet
**New Year’s package includes champagne, dessert and party favors, $15/person
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm and 9pm

BAKE’S PLACE: Little Bill and the Bluenotes
**New Years package includes music, hors d’oeuvres, party favors, champagne
toast, $95/person
4135 Providence Point Dr. SE Issaquah, 425-391-3335, 8:00pm-midnight

TRIPLE DOOR MAINSTAGE: New Year’s Eve Blowout with the Dusty 45’s
**New Year’s packages range from $70-$100/person
TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Theoretics
216 Union Street, Seattle, 206-838-4333, 9:00pm, no cover

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

HIROSHI’S: Carolyn Graye Trio
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966, note earlier time: 7-9:00pm,

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Tony Mamon and Patricia Johnston
11425 Rainier Ave S, (206) 772-6891, 7pm

AMORE: Lonnie Williams
2301 5th Ave, (206) 770-0606, 9pm

LE PICHET: Jim Knodle & The Distract Band
1933 1st Avenue Seattle, 9:30pm

SEAMONSTER LOUNGE: PK and What Army
2202 N 45th St., 206-992-1120, 10pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE and LUCID:
Seattle Musicians Foundation Kick-Off Party
The evening starts with the 7pm dinner show at EGAN’S, followed by three more bands and complimentary champagne toast at midnight at LUCID. Great music at both venues throughout the evening w/complimentary champagne toast, drink specials. Come enjoy a taste of straight ahead, funk, blues, Caribbean, Afro Rhythm and more. No cover, but donations and memberships will be accepted. Consider becoming a member of the Seattle Musicians Foundation!

EGAN’S: Michael Hepburn Group,
1707 NW Market St, 789-1621, 7-10pm, no cover, all ages

LUCID: EnRoot / Ayron Jones & The Way / Davy Nefos, Tony Paustian, Dan Taylor
5241 University Ave NE, Seattle, 402-3042, 9pm, no cover

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

MONA’S: Chad McCullough Trio
6421 Latona Avenue NE, Seattle, (206) 526-1188, 9:00pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

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

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Jerry Zimmerman
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

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 with The Teaching
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7:00pm: Return to Seattle; 9:00pm: Deseo Carmin
1707 NW Market St, 789-1621

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