Saturday Jazz

February 2, 2008 / / No Comments

BAKE’S PLACE: Jovino Santos Neto Quarteto

JAZZ ALLEY: Kenny Rankin (Kendra Shank opens)

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Bill Anschell Quartet

THE HENDRIX LOUNGE: Rick Mandyck, Doug Miller, John Bishop

THIRD PLACE COMMONS: Thomas Marriott’s Willie Nelson Project
17171 Bothell Way NE., Lake Forest Park, WA, 7:00 – 9:45pm, Free

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Flora McGill with Josh & Evan

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Dorothy Rodes and Darin Clendenin
9pm – RaChiChi Pop Jazz Trio

TUTTA BELLA: Djangomatics

SERAFINA: Sue Nixon Trio

LA SPIGA: Gail Pettis

ST CLOUDS: Jose Gonzales Trio
1131 34th Avenue, Seattle, (206) 726-1522

Friday Night Jazz

January 31, 2008 / / No Comments

The weekend is here so let’s celebrate with some live music.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Marc Seales Quintet

JAZZ ALLEY: Kenny Rankin (Kendra Shank opens)

HIROSHI’S JAZZ AND SUSHI: Susan Pascal Trio

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Katy Bourne and Randy Halberstadt
9pm – Rochelle House
11pm – Kimball and the Fugitives with Stickshift Annie

SERAFINA: Javier Anderson, bossa nova

BIRKSHIRE GRILLS: Bassic Saxx

LA SPIGA: Gail Pettis

GRAZIE: Blues Union

Big Night of Music

January 31, 2008 / / No Comments

It’s Thursday … there are a couple of CD release parties tonight and lots more stuff to check out.

JAZZ ALLEY: J & J Music and Broken Time Records Showcase
The first set will be a solo set from pianist Eric Vaughn. The second set will feature the Michael Owcharuk Sextet. Band members are Michael Owcharuk (piano), Nate Omdal (bass), Mike Hamms (drums), Jim Knodle (trumpet), Beth Fleenor (clarinets) and Jacob Brietbach (violin). Set time on Thursday January 31st is 7:30pm and doors will open at 6pm.

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Leah Stillwell CD release party
216 Union Street, 9:00pm, No Cover

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: McTuff, with Joe Doria (Hammond B3), Skerik (tenor sax), Andy Coe (guitar), and D’Vonne Lewis (drums)

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Tumbao featuring Thomas Marriott

THE NEW ORLEANS: The Ham Carson Quintet

THAIKU: Tad Britton Trio

THE ASTEROID CAFE: Tim Kennedy Jam Session
3601 Fremont Ave N, 547-9000, 9:30pm

Wednesday Jazz

January 30, 2008 / / No Comments

Here is a list of what’s happening tonight …

JAZZ ALLEY: Jackson High School Jazz Ensembles

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Greta Matassa Jazz Workshop

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
6:00pm – University Prep jazz combos
8:00pm – Vocal Jam with Carrie Wicks

THE NEW ORLEANS: The Legend Band w/ Clarence Acox

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio

WHISKEY BAR: Eric Verlinde & Friends

VICTORY LOUNGE: Joe Doria Trio

VERRAZANO’S: Katy Bourne with Randy Halberstadt & Chuck Kistler
28835 Pacific Highway South, Federal Way, WA 98003, 253-946-4122, 7-10pm

Tuesday Jazz

January 29, 2008 / / No Comments

The snow has stayed away for now … so let’s go hear some music.

JAZZ ALLEY: Campbell Brothers

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Magnolia Big Band

THE NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Jump Ensemble

IKEA: Susan Pascal Quartet
601 SW 41st Street, Renton, 5:00pm

Monday Jazz

January 28, 2008 / / No Comments

Well the snow finally arrived … but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t live jazz happening tonight.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: JAZZ JAM with the Darin Clendenin Trio

THE NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Quintet

LA SPIGA: Darliene & Ryan (7 – 10 p.m.)

Sunday Jazz

January 27, 2008 / / No Comments

Catch some live jazz before heading back to work tomorrow … your soul will thank you.

JAZZ ALLEY: Marlena Shaw

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
3:00 – 7:00pm: Fairly Honest Jazz Band
8:00 – 11:30pm: Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra

THE TRIPLE DOOR:
MAINSTAGE: SEATTLE SYMPHONY AT THE TRIPLE DOOR: LATIN arranged by WES “WESITO” DYRING
MUSICQUARIUM: Sunday Night Salsa: Rhythm Syndicate

THE NEW ORLEANS: Karin Kajita

GRAZIE: Reuel Lubag Trio leads a jam session

TUTTA BELLA (Wallingford): Casey MacGill and Blue 4

SERAFINA:
11am to 1:30pm: Jazz Brunch with the Conlin Roser Duo
6:30pm to 9pm: Ann Reynolds and Tobi Stone, piano-sax duo

LA SPIGA: Eric Fridrich (7 – 10 p.m.)

GALLERY 1412: Tim Catlin (melbourne), Matt Shoemaker, Bill Horist, Paintings for Animals

Also … make sure and add your two cents to What Are You Listening To?

Saturday Jazz

January 26, 2008 / / No Comments

Snow?!? What Snow? Put on your snowshoes and pick a venue:

BAKE’S PLACE: Madeline Eastman Quartet, Randy Porter (piano), John Bishop (drums), Chuck Deardorf (bass)
From The Seattle Times: … the SF renaissance also produced some world-class singers. One of the very best, Madeline Eastman, makes a rare Seattle appearance at Bake’s Place Saturday as part of the club’s “Visiting Songbirds” series.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Milo Peterson and the Jazz Disciples

HENDRIX LOUNGE: Big Neighborhood
Origin Records’ Hendrix Lounge series starts up again, this time moving to Saturday nights, and debuts with Big Neighborhood featuring David White (guitar), Chris Fagen (saxophone), Doug Miller (bass) and Steve Korn (drums).

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: How Now Brown Cow Nu Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: Marlena Shaw

SERAFINA: Voodoo Trio, acoustic blues

TUTTA BELLA: The Tarantellas

GRAZIE: Michael Powers Group

LA SPIGA: Greta Matassa (10pm – 1am)

EGAN’S BALLARD JAZZ HOUSE:
7pm – Rik Wright Quintet, with Rik Wright (guitar), Tony Grasso (trumpet), James DeJoie (sax), Birch Pereira (bass) and Jeremy Jones (drums)
9pm – Tom Baker Quartet, with Tom Baker (guitar), Greg Campbell (drums), Jesse Canterbury (clarinet) and Brian Cobb (bass)
11pm – Percolations, with Charlie Bommarito (piano, keyboards, percussion), Brian Sorum (trumpet, flugelhorn) and Chaz Bommarito (drums)

GALLERY 1412: Big Spider’s Back, Wilson Shook, Matthew McDowell

It’s Friday

January 25, 2008 / / No Comments

Let’s get the weekend started … lots of live jazz tonight.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Greta Matassa Quartet

BAKE’S PLACE: Crossing Borders featuring Jennifer Scott and Kristen Strom
Crossing Borders is a new international jazz group led by the heralded Canadian jazz vocalist/pianist Jennifer Scott and S.F. Bay Area saxophonist Kristen Strom

JAZZ ALLEY: Marlena Shaw

LATONA PUB: Phil Sparks Trio with Ricky Kelly (vibes) and Matt Jorgensen (drums)
6423 Latona Ave NE, Seattle, 5:30 – 7:30pm, No Cover

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Steve Alboucq Quartet, with Steve Alboucq (trumpet), Chris Morton (piano), Matt Page (drums), and Nate Parker (bass)
9pm – Narmada Ensemble, with Chris Icasiano (drums), Luke Bergman (bass), Brian Kinsella (piano), Cam Peace (guitars), Tor Dietrichson (tablas/congas/percussion), Pandit Debi Prasad Chatterjee (sitar), and Neil Welch (saxophones). From composed improvisation to classical Hindustani music, multi-meter composition, and free improvisation. ($8 cover)
11pm – Dan Sales Trio

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Kiko Freitas (brazilian guitar)

SERAFINA: Fred Hoadley Trio, latin jazz

LA SPIGA: Guy Alston & Ozmosis (10 p.m. – 1 a.m.)

GRAZIE: Michael Powers Group

HIROSHI’S JAZZ AND SUSHI: Greg Williamson Trio + 1
2501 Eastlake Avenue, Seattle

and for those of you up North …
THE REPP: Jason Parker/George Stone Duo
924 First Street, Snohomish, WA, 6:30 – 10:30pm

Thursday Jazz

January 24, 2008 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Earshot Jazz Presents Atomic
The Guardian calls Atomic “one of the most exhilarating groups on the European circuit.” A brilliant Scandinavian quintet, Atomic plays original music that mixes grooves and modes with a distinctive approach to free improvisation.

TRIPLE DOOR: Toumani Diabate’s Symmetric Orchestra
More than any other artist, Toumani Diabaté is responsible for introducing the kora—a 21-string harp unique to West Africa—to audiences around the world. But aside from being a player of exceptional virtuosity and creativity, Diabaté plays a vital role as bandleader, teacher, musical conservationist and composer in the capital city of Bamako, Mali, where he was born and has lived all his life.

JAZZ ALLEY: Marlena Shaw

GALLERY 1412: Skiff Feldspar, Greg Sinibaldi, Greg Campbell, Bob Rees

NEW ORLEANS: The Ham Carson Quintet

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Greta Matassa
9pm – Swati – New York-based vocalist/guitarist – Her only Seattle performance on this West Coast tour

THAIKU: Tad Britton

LA SPIGA: Mark Bullis

ASTEROID CAFE: Tim Kennedy Jam Session

Wednesday Jazz

January 23, 2008 / / No Comments

Here is what is on tap tonight:

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jack Bergevin Group

JAZZ ALLEY: Janiva Magness

THE NEW ORLEANS: The Legend Band w/ Clarence Acox

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
6pm – Figure Five – Roosevelt High jazz combo with Matt McCloskey (piano), Xavier McHugh (drums), Nolan Woodle (bass), Spencer Leroux (sax) and Wyatt Palmer (sax)
8pm – Vocal Jam with Carrie Wicks

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio

VICTORY LOUNGE: Joe Doria Trio

TUTTA BELLA: Steve Mason

WHISKEY BAR: Eric Verlinde & Friends

JEWEL BOX THEATER: Ev Stern’s Winter Jazz Workshop Preview Concert
2232 2nd Avenue, 7-9:30 PM, No cover, All Ages till 9

Tuesday Jazz

January 22, 2008 / / No Comments

The sun is out this morning, there is a chill in the air, and lots of great music to check out …

JAZZ ALLEY: Janiva Magness

TULA’S JAZZ ALLEY: Clark Gibson Quartet

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Speak, with Andrew Swanson, Chris Icasiano, Luke Bergman and Aaron Otheim

SORRENTO HOTEL: The Omdal/Owcharuk Duo

IKEA RENTON: Ricky Kelly Trio

Concert Review: Jon Hamar CD Release at Tula’s

January 21, 2008 / / No Comments

By Cynthia Mullis
photos by Carolyn Caster

(A big congratulations to Jon Hamar for receiving the Earshot Golden Ear Award for Emerging Artist!)

On Wednesday, January 16th, I went to Tula’s to attend the release party for bass player Jon Hamar’s new CD Here After.  I have to say that it’s to its credit that Tula’s has eliminated blender drinks from their menu. And why, do you ask, is this suddenly an important revelation? Well, mainly because it would be an otherwise unfortunate place for an acoustic bass player to have a CD release party! As it was, there were no Margaritas and Pina Coladas to interfere with this quiet, intimate CD release party for bassist Hamar and his trio. Of course, the phone rang during an acapella bass solo, raising a slight chuckle in the audience, but I for one was grateful for the chance to hear Hamar’s music with little interference. As a result it was a very satisfying experience.

Wednesday’s audience was a modest but appreciative assembly of friends, family, students from Cornish and Central Washington University, not to mention a few bass players. On stage were pianist Dawn Clement and Byron Vannoy on drums. The three musicians were locked in and sounded like they’ve spent a lot of time playing together. Jon and Dawn had a special simpatico and Byron is a perfect complement to the two. Dawn and Byron are also featured on Jon’s new recording Here After, in addition to John Hansen, Jon Wikan, Hans Teuber and Dan Tyack.

Read More

Monday Jazz

January 21, 2008 / / No Comments

Recovering from the Earshot Golden Ear Awards last night … here is a list of what’s happening tonight.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Vocal Jam with Kelley Johnson
Kelley Johnson and John Hansen are leaving for South America this week for a Jazz Ambassadors Tour. Be sure and catch their last appearance in Seattle for a few weeks tonight at Tula’s

TRIPLE DOOR MAINSTAGE: Cyrus Chestnut ** cancelled **
If you had tickets to this show, please call 206-838-4333 for a refund.

NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Quintet

Anything else happening tonight? Leave a post in the Comments and we’ll add it to the calendar.

Sunday Jazz

January 20, 2008 / / No Comments

Tonight is the annual Golden Ear Awards at EMP … be there or be square!

2007 Golden Ear Awards
Awards Ceremony: Sunday, January 20, 2008
Featuring performance by Jovino Santos Neto Quarteto
and emcee Jim WilkeEMP/SFM at Seattle Center, 7 pm
325 5th Avenue North, Seattle
Click here for more info.

JAZZ ALLEY: Stanley Clarke

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Garfield HS Jazz (3-4); Jay Thomas Big Band (4-7); Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra (8pm)

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Sunday Night Salsa: Supersones

SERAFINA: Jazz Brunch with the Conlin Roser/Cynthia Mullis Duo (11am to 1:30pm); Jerry Frank, solo jazz piano (6:30pm to 9pm)

GRAZIE: Jam Session (6:00 – 9:00pm)

TWISTED CORK WINE BAR: Katy Bourne Quartet
located in the Hyatt Regency Bellevue at 900 Bellevue Way, Bellevue

Saturday Jazz

January 19, 2008 / / No Comments

Saxophonist Pete Christlieb is in town, Portland vocalist Nancy King is kicking off a vocal series and you still have a chance to see Stanley Clarke tonight!

SHORECREST PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: Jazz It Up! with Pete Christlieb
15343 25th Ave NE, Shoreline, Show at 7:30pm
Tickets available at the door the day of the performance starting at 7pm.
For more information, click here.

BAKE’S PLACE: Nancy King with Steve Christofferson
Portland vocalist Nancy King kicks off Bake’s Place Visiting Songbirds Series. For more information, click here.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jay Thomas Quartet

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Das Vibenbass

JAZZ ALLEY: Stanley Clarke

SERAFINA: Leo Raymundo Quartet with Sue Nixon

GALLERY 1412: apostrophe 13

GRAZIE: Lee Pence

EGAN’S BALLARD JAZ HOUSE:
7pm – Sunship, with Brian Heaney (guitar), Michael Monhart (saxophone), David Revelli (drums), Andrew Luthringer (bass), and Stuart Dempster (trombone, etc)
9pm – Hot’s Too, with French guitarist Cyrille Gosselin, Seattle singer Billy Brandt, Felix Sernius (sax), Bob Merrihew (drums) and Joe Casallini (bass) – From jazz to gypsy with stops in a Vegas lounge.

TUTTA BELLA: The Djangomatics

EMP’s JAZ IN JANUARY: JazzReach presents Stolen Moments and Subway Songs featuring METTA QUINTET and special guests
Click here for more info.

Diabate vs. Atomic

January 18, 2008 / / No Comments

More from Paul de Barros’ Seattle Times column:

Promoters don’t usually present two competing shows on the same night, but Earshot Jazz executive director John Gilbreath was so excited by Malian kora (harp) player Toumani Diabate’s Symmetric Orchestra and the zany Scandinavian jazz group Atomic, he decided what the hell. Earshot presents both bands Thursday: Diabate plays at 7 and 9:30 p.m. at the Triple Door ($25-$30; 206-838-4333 or www.thetripledoor.net); Atomic at 8 p.m. at Tula’s ($14; 206-443-4221 or www.tulas.com).

This makes for a tough decision. In 2006, Diabate released “Boulevard De L’Independence” (World Circuit/Nonesuch), one of the most amazing albums ever to come out of West Africa. Produced by Nick Gold, who brought us the Buena Vista Social Club, it mixes delicate, showering webs of kora with warbling and wailing vocals, horns and strings playing funk, jazz, Latin and other African traditions.

Though West African groups like the Super Rail band have made great albums in the past, “Boulevard” isn’t just “Afro-pop.” It’s a brilliant new world fusion, like nothing you’ve heard.

Atomic is one of the best groups to emerge out of the Nordic jazz explosion. At the 2005 Vancouver Festival, the band played a quick-witted set featuring haunting textures and sinewy improvised solos.

Not part of Scandinavia’s often overrated club-beat “NuJazz” movement, Atomic is a fluid, post-mainstream band whose asymmetric yet rolling rhythmic feel recalls Ornette Coleman. The band features trumpeter Magnus Broo and saxophonist Fredrik Ljungkvist, both from Stockholm, with an Oslo rhythm section of Haavark Wiik (piano), Ingebrigt Haker Flaten (bass) and Paal Nilssen-Love (drums).

Friday Jazz

January 18, 2008 / / No Comments

A lot of music happening tonight …

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Hadley Caliman Quartet

EMP’S JAZZ IN JANUARY: Esperanza Spalding & Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder
From The Seattle Times: Spalding — whose first name, significantly, means “hope” — grew up in Portland. She’s a feisty original who does, indeed, offer hope for the future of jazz.

HIROSHI’S JAZZ AND SUSHI: Reuel Lubag Trio
2501 Eastlake Ave East, Seattle

JAZZ ALLEY: Stanley Clarke

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Far Corner, with Dick Valentine
9pm – Tony Grasso Saxophone? Quartet!, with Tony Grasso (trumpet), Dan Blunck (alto and soprano sax), Brian Kent (tenor sax), and David Johnson (bari sax , alto flute, didgeridoo) – CD release party!

SERAFINA: Kiko de Freitas, Brazilian duo

LA SPIGA: Gail Pettis, Randy Halberstadt, Michael Barnett
1429 12th Ave, 206-323-8881, 10:00pm

THE ROCKFISH (Anacortes, WA): Greta Matassa

LATONA PUB: Phil Sparks Trio with Matt Jorgensen and Arun Luthra (NY saxophonist)
6423 Latona Ave Ne, Seattle

Thursday Jazz

January 17, 2008 / / No Comments

Jazz in January is starting tonight … plus other great live music!

EMP: Tomorrow’s Pride: Roosevelt Jazz Band and Garfield Jazz Ensemble
7:00 pm, Sky Church at EMP|SFM, Call 206.770.2702

JAZZ ALLEY: Stanley Clarke

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Sonando

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: New Architects

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Flora McGill and the Human Revolutions – “music from the inside out”
9pm – Snake Suspenderz

THAIKU: Tad Britton Trio

NEW ORLEANS: The Ham Carson Quintet

RESOLUTION AUDIO: Geoff Wilke, Steve Nowak, Bob Rothstein
5459 Leary Ave NW, Seattle, 7.30

ASTEROID CAFE: Tim Kennedy & Friends

It’s Wednesday!

January 16, 2008 / / No Comments

Tonight we have a CD release party and plenty of other live music.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: JON HAMAR CD RELEASE PARTY
Bassist Jon Hamar is joined by Dawn Clement on piano and Byron Vannoy on drums for a night of music to celebrate the release of Jon’s new CD, Hereafter. The 2007 Golden Ear nominated bassist will perform original music from the new CD and a collection of his arrangements. The music starts at 8:00pm it is All Ages for the first set. {click here to buy the CD}

JON HAMAR CD RELEASE PARTY
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB
2214 2nd Ave, Seattle, 8:00pm, $10

JAZZ ALLEY: Joey DeFrancesco Trio

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Leif Totusek (5:30pm)

NEW ORLEANS: The Legend Band with Clarence Acox

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
6pm – Helen Chance
8pm – Vocal Jam with Carrie Wicks

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio

VICTORY LOUNGE: Joe Doria Trio

WHISKEY BAR: Eric Verlinde & Friends