On the Scene: Live Jazz Previews for June

Live jazz carries with it a social component that is every bit as important as the music itself. The fellowship and celebration of community is the life affirming aspect of the live jazz experience, something sorely missing during the past two and a half years. The month of June provides many opportunities to get out and be a part of it all. Below is a cross-section of those dates, selected by seattlejazzscene.com. Look them over, and look beyond. In any case, get on out the door and support jazz music and community.

Tom Baker Quartet
Wed June 1, 7:30 PM/ Royal Room
Back after a ten year hiatus due to geographical obstacles, guitarist Tom Baker reconvenes this exploratory quartet that notably includes Seattle drummer/percussionist Greg Campbell. Clarinetist Jesse Canterbury, and bassist Brian Cobb add to the eclectic mix. The foursome has authored a pair of albums, the last being SAVE in 2009. Terms such as “jazz adjacent” and “jazz-hued soundscapes” have been bandied about in attempting to describe the band’s sound. That is left up to interpretation, but jazz audiences will no doubt appreciate the quartet’s ultimate mission statement. https://theroyalroomseattle.com/event/tom-baker-quartet/?instance_id=3846

Mc Tuff V3
Fri Jun 3, 7:30 PM/ North City Bistro
The latest iteration of Joe Doria’s B3 trio features guitarist Cole Schuster and drummer Ehssan Karimi. Doria’s virtuosity is sometimes taken for granted around town, with his long term installment at the Seamonster in Wallingford offering weekly engagement with the soulful keyboardist. At NCB, the gig is a classic jazz supper club, with an attentive audience at hand, dining and enjoying the bistro’s impressive wine selection. Schuster’s style is steeped in the jazz tradition, with tentacles reaching into a cross section of blues based forms. Karimi can match Doria’s energy point by point, providing a firm push forward in straight ahead fashion. Once again, one wonders if Doria’s Leslie driven wizardry and the trio’s dynamic, voluminous presence will challenge the limitations of the room. Lift off is sure to happen. https://northcitybistro.com/event/mctuff-v3/

Marina Albero Quartet
Sat Jun 4, 7 PM/ Frederick Holmes Art Gallery
The Hot Jazz at the Gallery series continues at the Frederick Holmes Gallery in the Pioneer Square with Barcelona born, now eight year Seattle resident, Marina Albero. Albero’s piano style reflects her journey in music, with jazz, flamenco, Catalan and Cuban influences. Her work on hammered dulcimer is groundbreaking and visionary. In this iteration of her quartet, she features long-time associate Hans Teuber, an inventive multi-reedist, along with bassist Evan Flory Barnes and drummer Jeremy Jones. The series is new and welcome addition to the city’s jazz landscape. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hot-jazz-at-the-gallery-with-marina-albero-quartet-tickets-344300811997

Rogerio Boccato Quarteto
Mon Jun 6, 7 PM/ Royal Room
Hailing from Sao Paulo, Brazil, percussionist Rogerio Boccato has performed with Maria Schneider, Kenny Garrett, John Patitucci, Brian Blade and Danilo Perez among others. He brings his Brazilan jazz legacy to the Royal Room, accompanied by saxophonist Dan Blake, pianist Nando Michelin and bassist Jay Anderson. The performance will feature music from his first solo album, No Old Rain, an exploration of four post- bossa Brazilian composers- Toninho Horta, Milton Nascimento, Egberto Gismonti, and Edu Lobo. Stick around after the show for the Monday jazz jam with Thomas Marriott at 9 PM. https://theroyalroomseattle.com/event/rogerio-boccato-quarteto/?instance_id=3901

Seattle Jazz Fellowship Presents: Orrin Evans &The Captain Black Big Band
Tue Jun 7 & Wed Jun 8, 7:30 PM/ Royal Room
The twice Grammy-nominated Captain Black Big Band blows into the Royal Room for a two night engagement presented by the Seattle Jazz Fellowship. Led by Philadelphia based pianist Orrin Evans, the band features a sampling of top New York and Philly musicians. Evans has become a true friend of the Seattle jazz scene via his personal friendship and musical connection with trumpeter and Seattle Jazz Fellowship founder Thomas Marriott. The June 7th performance is for SJF members only, with the June 8 performance open to the public. Memberships start at $50, a fee that will include the show, a Julian Priester “Spontaneous Composition” t-shirt, and discounts at all SJF events for the calendar year of 2022.
Band members include bassist Luques Curtis, drummer Mark Whitfield, Jr., trombonists David Gibson and Reggie Watkins, saxophonists Troy Roberts and Caleb Wheeler Curtis and trumpeters Marriott and Charlie Porter. Evans is the leader of the band, and one of the most innovative of modern jazz pianists. The opportunity to see a band of this quality, in the intimate confines of the Royal Room is not to be missed. https://theroyalroomseattle.com/event/seattle-jazz-fellowship-presents-orrin-evans-and-captain-black-big-band-2/?instance_id=3923

Dave Weckl/Tom Kennedy Project
Tue Jun 7, 7:30 PM/ Jazz Alley
High energy fusion is coming to the Alley, with one of the greats behind the kit in Dave Weckl. Bassist Tom Kennedy adds an extra push on both acoustic and electric bass, along with a compositional prowess that has his nearly 25 year tenure in Weckl’s band in mind. Saxophonist Bob Franceschini and pianist Stu Mindeman join the eclectic duo to create a formidable fusion force. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=6324

Monday Night Jam at the Royal Room with Thomas Marriott
Mon Jun 6,13,20,27. 9 PM/ Royal Room
The Monday night jam at the Royal Room has attracted a number of the city’s best musicians, along with newcomers, upcomers and younger players. Host Thomas Marriott has done a great job curating the session, promoting participation and mentorship in the process. The 9 PM session often follows a first set featuring the Wayne Horvitz led Royal Room Collective Music Ensemble. All ages are welcome, and all are encouraged to do so. Better yet, the hang is first rate! https://theroyalroomseattle.com/event/royal-room-jazz-jam-session-hosted-by-thomas-marriott/?instance_id=3066

Thana Alexa
Sun Jun 12, 6 & 8:30 PM/ Royal Room
Grammy nominated vocalist/composer Thana Alexa descends on Columbia City to play two shows at the Royal Room. Alexa is a vocal artist that uses her voice both as a lyrical and experimental instrument. She arrives in Seattle with a stellar band that includes drummer Antonio Sanchez, bassist Matt Brewer and pianist Rachel Eckroth. Alexa’s music invites exploration, and necessitates a band that can support that vision. The presence of Sanchez is reason enough to attend, but do not underestimate Alexa’s virtuosity. Brewer’s artistry on both double bass and electric is the jazz tie that binds here. This continues what amounts to a stellar month of June on the corner of Rainier and Hudson. https://theroyalroomseattle.com/event/thana-alexa-ona-early-show/?instance_id=3747

Christian McBride
Tue & Wed Jun 14&15, 7:30 PM/ Jazz Alley
Bassist Christian McBride has become a major force in the jazz world. Musically, he finds time to front a big band, his New Jawn Quartet and Inside Straight, all the while hosting Jazz Night in America on NPR and acting as creative director of the Newport Jazz Festival. For this run at Jazz Alley, he leads a new band with a northwest twist- Portland born and raised tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover is on the front line, paired with guitarist Ely Pearlman. Glover has been touring with Artemis, replacing Melissa Aldanna in the all female supergroup. Her probing style is powerful, assertive and melodic. Mike King joins on piano, with Savannah Harris on drums. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=6310

Greta Matassa Quintet
Sun Jun 19, 7 PM/ Aurora Borealis
Seattle’s finest jazz singer since the great Ernestine Anderson (yes, I’ve mentioned this a few times over the years), Greta Matassa hits the north end for a night at Aurora Borealis. While Matassa sets her sights continually towards newer and more innovative arrangements, her core values as a jazz singer have remained steadfast. More importantly, the quality of her voice has remained world class, giving her the instrument to explore new horizons not unlike any jazz instrumentalist. Matassa is a veteran bandleader as well, and always maintains a light grip on the band, allowing it to hit on all cylinders as a unit. https://borealisonaurora.com/event/greta-matassa-quintet-2/

Duende Libre Trio- A Tribute to Chick Corea
Thu Jun 23, 7:30 PM/ Royal Room
While Duende Libre has recorded and performed as a quintet with vocals the past few years, the band’s roots lie as a trio. Pianist Alex Chadsey, electric bassist Farko Dosumov and drummer/percussionist Jeff Busch possess a unique quality that uses the jazz piano trio as a launchpad into world rhythms and cultural exploration. These qualities well describe much of Chick Corea’s work as well, setting up an evening of tribute to the recently passed master. Chadsey is an accomplished pianist, and certainly worthy of the challenge. Dosumov has the unique ability to fit into different musical elements in chameleon-like fashion, yet maintain his singularly unique approach to electric bass. Busch is the color that decorates the sound, doing so much more than being the caretaker of rhythm. https://theroyalroomseattle.com/event/knkx-presents-duende-libre-trio-a-tribute-to-chick-corea/?instance_id=3889

Lizz Wright
Thu Jun 23- Sun Jun 26, 7:30 & 9:30 PM/ Jazz Alley
Jazz Alley has strayed a bit from presenting modern jazz, often staging rhythm and blues and world sounds. Vocalist Lizz Wright fits right in between those two approaches to presentation. A soulful, blues based alto, Wright has sifted through much of American Black music in intricate fashion. Grace, her latest release for Concord is no exception. The music reaches back to the roots of blues based music, her voice blending those sounds into a highly organic, soulful mix. Wright is joined by guitarist Adam Levy, pianist Ken Banks, Sr., bassist Ben Zwerin and drummer Ivan Edwards. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=6338

Samara Joy with the Pasquale Grasso Trio
Mon Jun 27, 7:30 PM/ Jazz Alley
Vocalist Samara Joy has been recognized in all the ways one has come to expect in this day and age–by opening eyes at JALC’s Essentially Ellington Competition, and winning the Sarah Vaughn International Jazz Vocal Competition. Her roots are in gospel, her training in church choir, lending to a very natural and unforced approach to jazz vocals. Joy passed through town last year in duo with pianist Sullivan Fortner, this time around accompanied by guitarist Pasquale Grasso, bassist Ari Roland and drummer Keith Balla. A must attend gig for the jazz vocal community in Seattle. https://www.jazzalley.com/www-home/artist.jsp?shownum=6330

Charlie Porter Quintet
Mon Jun 27, 7 PM/ Royal Room
Trumpeter Charlie Porter is a bi-coastal musician these days, spening time in Portland and New York. He comes to the Royal Room to play music from his soon to be released album, Cypher, drawing musicians from both his east and west coast bands. Personnel TBA. Porter’s new music explores the folklore and history of the Pacific Northwest.
Porter is a player of the highest caliber who can perform in both the jazz and classical worlds. He has performed with many modern masters, including Ira Sullivan, Pacquito D’Rivera, Joe Zawinul, Jay Thomas and Jimmy Greene. His last two releases on the Origin Records label, Hindsight and Immigration nation received accolades from Downbeat and All About Jazz. https://theroyalroomseattle.com/event/charlie-porter-quintet/?instance_id=3917

Amendola vs. Blades featuring Cyro Baptista & Skerik
Fri Jun 24, 7:30 PM/ Triple Door
Finally a flicker of light at the Triple Door, as Hammond B-3 organ wizard Will Blades teams up with drummer Scott Amendola to present the first actual jazz performance at the Trip since the dawn of the pandemic. The twosome has extensive history together, resulting in a read and react quality to their music. Add eclectic saxophonist Skerik, Tortoise guitarist Jeff Parker and percussionist Cyro Baptista to the mix and you have an explosive ensemble, capable of going virtually anywhere musically. https://thetripledoor.net/mainstage-calendar

Calluna Supper Club
Calluna, on the north end of University Way, has been the site of some of the most memorable jazz performances in the city since owners Jason Moore and Heather Bourne decided to go in the direction of live jazz. Of course, both Moore and Bourne are well acquainted with the players on the scene from their eight year assoication with the now legendary Tula’s Jazz Club.
The June calendar is littered with the city’s jazz elite, featuring performances from Thomas Marriott, Bill Anschell, Greta Matassa, Stephanie Porter, Marc Seales and Gail Pettis. Brazilian jazz master Jovino Santos Neto appears in trio with Chuck Deardorf and Mark Ivester, with the art of the trio being explored as well by trailblazing bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John BIshop. Vocalist/guitarist Robert Vaughn will perform with bassist Clipper Anderson, adding to a vocal lineup that includes Matassa, Pettis, Porter, Kelley Johnson, Nicole Walters and Joan Penney. Follow the link here to check out the full music calendar. https://callunaseattle.com/music-calendar/