Seattle Times: Ben Roseth is a study in sound

From Paul de Barros’ column in The Seattle Times:

“Since I was 9, I’ve been planning my schedule,” said saxophonist Ben Roseth, as he headed into his last final exam at the New England Conservatory earlier this week. “As of Monday, I will have no plans.”

That’s a new state of flux — and relief — for Roseth, who has been artfully juggling homework with Hebrew school, music lessons, practice and performance since his days at Seattle’s Graham Hill Elementary School. He first attracted citywide attention with his jaw-dropping musicianship in the Washington Middle School jazz band.

Roseth is back in town next week, performing with musical mate Tatum Greenblatt (trumpet) in the Here and Now Quintet. The band plays at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Triple Door in Seattle ($15; 206-838-4333 or www.thetripledoor.net). The other players are Sean Hutchinson (drums/percussion), David Dawda (bass) and Drew Pierson (piano). Roseth and Greenblatt also perform with the Jay Thomas Sextet at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 28 at Tula’s ($15; 206-443-4221).

Also, make sure and read our preview of Ben’s show at the Triple Door with the Here and Now Quintet. Click here to read more.

Thursday Jazz


Latin jazz group Sonando performs tonight at Tula’s

JAZZ ALLEY: Ain’t Misbehavin’ featuring Dehner Franks on piano

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Sonando

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Motel 5

THE NEW ORLEANS: The Ham Carson Quintet

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Aspen Jordan
9pm – Moraine, a dynamic electric string quartet plus drums with Alicia Allen (violin), Ruth Davidson (cello), Jay Jaskot (drummer), Kevin Millard (bass/Warr guitar) and Dennis Rea (guitar)

THAIKU: Jon Alberts, Tad Britton and Geoff Cooke

ASTEROID CAFE: Tim Kennedy Jam Session

Wednesday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: Ain’t Misbehavin’ featuring Dehner Franks on piano

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Greta Matassa Vocal Showcase

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

NEW ORLEANS: The Legend Band with Clarence Acox

TUTTA BELLA: Steve Mason

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio

VICTORY LOUNGE: Joe Doria Trio

HENDRIX LOUNGE: Matt Jorgensen and Thomas Marriott

Tuesday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Roadside Attraction Big Band

JAZZ ALLEY: Ain’t Misbehavin’ featuring Dehner Franks on piano

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Messick Franklin Group, with a mix of standards and arranged holiday tunes!

OWL ‘N THISTLE: Bebop and Destruction Jam Session

Monday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Vocal Jam with Kelley Johnson

TRIPLE DOOR MAINSTAGE: Pocket Change CD Release Party

NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Quintet

Know of any other gigs happening tonight? Send us an email or post a message in the Comments section.

Review: Jim Snidero at Tula’s

by Cynthia Mullis

Occasionally over the past several years I have had the odd experience of playing an idea in a solo that felt familiar but whose influence was not obvious to me. Was it a Parker lick? A Coltrane lick? Oliver Nelson? No…it was a Jim Snidero line that had seeped its way into my consciousness via the excellent Jazz Conceptions series of method books. I have played out of those books so many times with students that an improvisation on “Misty” can easily morph into “Mist and Grits.” If you are a teacher that uses these books in lessons, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. After endlessly telling my students to do a “mind meld” with the “saxophone guy” on the play-along CD, I’ve learned as much from those etudes as my students have (probably more, actually). So with that in mind, I needed to go hear the real Jim Snidero at Tula’s this weekend.


Photo by Carolyn Caster

On Friday night, alto saxophonist Jim Snidero performed sets of straight ahead, honest, swinging music: no pyrotechnics, no tricks, no weird time signatures, no jive, just old school virtuoso saxophone playing developed over years of practice and studying the tradition. Marc Seales, Phil Sparks and Matt Jorgensen staffed the rhythm section and once again demonstrated why New York musicians on the road are happy to make a stop in Seattle. The craftsmanship was very impressive and the evening of music was quite satisfying. It was an intimate jazz club experience that included a relaxed, fun hang with a number of musicians present in the audience.

Snidero has a classic, warm, round alto sound that combines elements of Charlie Parker, Jackie McLean and Sonny Stitt and it immediately felt familiar and comfortable (I also wondered if that’s how it would have been with Lennie Neihaus if I’d grown up with play-along recordings for his Jazz Conceptions etude books). Snidero’s playing is solidly grounded in tradition—I could hear numerous influences but no one particular voice predominated. Throughout the night Snidero interwove a hip and modern harmonic vocabulary into this traditional bebop foundation. While I could hear the patterns, they drew me into his solos without being clichéd and predictable. Most of the playing was pretty inside but I was happy to hear some “Snidero-isms” evolve out of his creative combination of modern harmony and classic bebop. He is an impressive saxophonist, delivering fluid ideas in clean eighth note and double-time lines. I found his musical integrity and saxophone technique very inspiring and enjoyable.

The rhythm section was nonchalant and relaxed on their home turf and they never sounded like they were trying to prove anything. Together, Marc, Phil and Matt sounded like a true rhythm section rather than three players called for the gig and they blazed through the repertoire of standards and originals from Snidero’s new CD Tippin. The pace of the night leaned more towards the up tempo and they had no problem keeping things percolating. With Phil Sparks on bass combined with Matt on drums, you can always trust that things are going to be solid and happening. Marc Seales played some very creative, melodically extroverted solos and was the perfect harmonic complement to Snidero—I always enjoy his playing, especially how he steers clear of the 89-key school of piano playing. It was a night of good music and this rhythm section easily kept pace with Snidero.

So take a break from the shopping and office Christmas parties this weekend and head over to Tula’s to hear Jim Snidero with Matt Jorgensen, Phil Sparks and Marc Seales. It will definitely be a welcome relief from the canned Christmas music, cranky store clerks and drunk office mates.

Editor note: Jim Snidero concludes his weekend at Tula’s Jazz Club tonight, Saturday, December 16 beginning at 8:30pm. Call 206-443-4221 for reservations.

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Saturday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: Tower of Power

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jim Snidero Quartet

BAKE’S PLACE: Jake Bergevin Quintet – Special Holiday Show

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Thornton Creek
9pm – Brooke Pennock Band

TUTTA BELLA: Darrius Willrich Trio

SERAFINA: Leo Raymundo Quartet with Sue Nixon

CHAPEL PERFORMANCE SPACE: Wally Shoup Trio

GRAZIE: Reuel Lubag Trio

CROSSROADS BELLEVUE: Uptown Swing & Jazz

THIRD PLACE COMMONS: Mach One Jazz Orchestra

Friday Night Jazz

Get a great start to this weekend … go hear live jazz!

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
NY Saxophonist Jim Snidero with Marc Seales (piano); Phil Sparks (bass) and Matt Jorgensen (drums)

JAZZ ALLEY: Tower of Power

GRAZIE: Reuel Lubag Trio

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – “Jam for Cans” with Buckshot Jazz – Bring donations for Northwest Harvest!
9pm – Jim Ryan’s Forward Energy Northwest Tour with Jim Ryan (alto/tenor flute and spoken word), Marc Smason (trombone), Kevin McCarthy (bass) and Andrew Wilshusen (drums)
11pm – Better World CD Release Party, with Marc Smason (trombone), Kevin McCarthy (bass), Aham Oluo (trumpet), Diane Peterson (reeds), Michael Gotz (guitar), and Greg Campbell (drums)

CROSSROADS BELLEVUE: Zazou

GALLERY 1412: Kevin Patton/Greg Sinibaldi Duo; Goat

SERAFINA: The Djangomatics

CHAPEL PERFORMANCE SPACE: Sunship

PACIFIC PLACE: Susan Pascal Quartet plays holiday music (Free – 12 noon)

LATONA PUB: Phil Sparks Trio (5:30 – 7:30pm)

This Weekend at Tula’s: Jim Snidero

FRIDAY – SATURDAY: DECEMBER 14 – 15
FROM NEW YORK, SAXOPHONIST JIM SNIDERO

with Marc Seales (piano); Phil Sparks (bass); Matt Jorgensen (drums)

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB

2214 2nd Ave, Seattle
8:30pm; $5

Jim Snidero is considered to be one of the top alto saxophonists and authors in jazz today. A resident of New York City for over 20 years, he has made numerous recordings as a leader, and has performed and/or recorded with many important jazz artists. Snidero is on the faculty at the New School University, is an active jazz clinician for the Selmer Company, and author of the best selling 3 series of books entitled Jazz Conception, Easy and Intermediate Jazz Conception, published by Advance Music.

Jim Snidero’s recordings have received critical acclaim by leading jazz critics. Several have received 4 stars in Downbeat Magazine, in which critics hailed Snidero as “a master musician” and “alto sax virtuoso”. ‘Strings’- which he both composed and arranged, was released on Milestone Records in March 2003, his first recording for a major label. Jazziz magazine called it “a masterful blend of composition, arranging and improvisation”, while Swing Journal, Japan’s #1 jazz magazine, stated “this is miraculously wonderful jazz… a masterpiece”. Celebrated jazz critic and author Gary Giddens, featured on Ken Burns PBS Jazz Series, said Snidero has “ a wonderfully aggressive broadsword of a sound, recalling Bird in its sheer jubilance” (Village Voice), while the New York Times called his solos ”dazzling”. His second recording on Milestone was entitled “Close up” , which features tenor great Eric Alexander.

Snidero is also listed in the Encyclopedia of Jazz and nearly every guide to jazz cd’s, including the Penguin Guide, which called him “ a talented musician and a passionate musical advocate…a genuinely significant figure in jazz composition”.

As a side man, he has worked with some of the biggest names in both jazz and rock. He was in Frank Sinatra’s orchestra for 4 years, including the recording “Duets Two”. He was a member of the Downbeat poll winning Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra for 20 years, and toured extensively with The Mingus Big Band. Other jazz credits include Jack Mcduff, Frank Wess, Tony Bennett, Eddie Palmiari, Maria Schneider, Conrad Herwig, Brian Lynch, Walt Weiskopf, Joe Magnarelli and many others. In the rock field he has performed with Sting, Billy Joel, Elton John, Ricky Martin, and others.

Thursday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: Tower of Power

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Andrianne Wilson Vocal Showcase

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Leif Totusek & His 1-2-3 Trio

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Monktail Creative Music Concern Night
7pm – Future Ex, featuring NY-based Fresh Sound recording artist Ila Cantor on guitar, Minneapolis-based George Marich on drums, and Reed Wallsmith on saxophone
9pm – Deal’s Number – CD release party!

THAIKU: Jon Alberts and Tad Britton

ROY’S PLACE: Jim Snidero Clinic & Performance (4926 196th SW, Lynnwood), 7:00pm

SEATTLE ART MUSEUM: Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra (5:30pm)

CHAPEL PERFORMANCE SPACE: Greg Sinibaldi and Sean Osborne

PACIFIC PLACE: Greta Matassa (5:30pm)

THE NEW ORLEANS: David Friesen Christmas Party

GALLERY 1412: Jim Ryan’s Forward Energy; Emperor Norton’s Cabal

Wednesday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: The Moutin Reunion Quartet

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Andrianne Wilson Vocal Showcase

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
6pm – Mortimer Nelson (solo acoustic guitar)
8pm – Vocal Jam hosted by Marti MacEwan

TUTTA BELLA: Scott Lindenmuth

THE NEW ORLEANS: Legend Band with Clarence Acox

SERAFINA: Passarim (bossa nova)

GALLERY 1412: Death Worth Living, Snowman Plan, EET

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio

VICTORY LOUNGE: Joe Doria Trio

THE HENDRIX LOUNGE: The David White Trio featuring Phil Parisot

CHAPEL AT GOOD SHEPARD CENTER: Paul Rucker
from Earshot Jazz: The event will celebrate the completion of Paul Rucker’s Project 12, a series of works conceived during a Rockefeller residency last summer in Bellagio, Italy in which Rucker set out to create a year of monthly visual art exhibits, with a different exhibit presented each month in 2007. This concert features two sets of Rucker performing live; on the first set Rucker performs solo cello, and on the second, he is joined by Isaac Marshal on flutes and thumb piano, Neil Gitkind on trombone, Bill Horist on guitar, and Erik Anderson on drums and percussion. Rucker’s interactive sound and video installations will also be on view. The concert begins at 7pm at the Chapel at Good Shepard Center (4649 Sunnyside Avenue North).

Tuesday Jazz

Today is a great day for jazz with lots of gig happening around town …

EASTSIDE JAZZ SERIES: Gail Pettis
Two-time nominee for the Earshot Golden Ear “Northwest Vocalist of the Year,” and recent winner of the Seattle-Kobe Female Jazz Vocalist Audition, Gail is a welcome addition to the Pacific Northwest jazz scene. Gail’s style is at once subtle and elegant, sultry and soulful. Her rich, warm vocals and understated phrasing have inspired comparisons to Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughn and Carmen McRae.

Sherman Clay Piano Store – Bellevue
1000 Bellevue Way N.E.
Bellevue, Wa. 98004
7:30pm; $12 ($6 musicians/students)

JAZZ ALLEY: The Moutin Reunion Quartet
From Earshot Jazz: The Moutin Reunion quartet performs straight-ahead jazz full of energy and spontaneity, emotion and imagination. Twin brothers Louis (drums) and Francois (bass) Moutin formed the group in 1999 in order to perform their own original compositions. They share the stage with Pierre de Bethmann (piano) and Rick Margitza (saxophone). On tour in support of their new release Sharp Turns, the ensemble was nominated for the French award ‘les Victoires du Jazz 2006” in the category of French Jazz Artist of the Year. François and Louis Moutin have won the prestigious “Prix Django Reinhardt 2005.”

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Emerald City Jazz Orchestra

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Alyse Black CD Release Party

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Sue Nixon and the Leo Raymundo Trio

MARTIN’S OFF MADISON: Karin Kajita (1413 14th Ave, 325-7000)

OWL ‘N THISTLE: BeBop and Destruction Jam Session

Sunday Jazz

Tonight is the last night to catch Mike Stern and friends at Jazz Alley. Plus a jam session and more …. here are the details for Sunday:

JAZZ ALLEY: Mike Stern Band

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: The Jazz Police (3pm); Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra (8pm)

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Tor Dietrichson & Mambo Cadillac

THE NEW ORLEANS: John Holte Radio Rhythm Orchestra directed by Pete Leinnonen

TUTTA BELLA (Stone Way): Casey MacGill and Blue 4

SERAFINA: Jazz Brunch with the Conlin Roser Duo (11:30am – 3:00pm)

GALLERY 1412: Wally Shoup Trio (open rehearsal at 1:00pm)

GRAZIE: Reuel Lubag Trio jam session (6:00 – 9:00pm)

Saturday Jazz

BAKE’S PLACE: Pearl Django

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Greta Matassa Quartet

JAZZ ALLEY: Mike Stern Band

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Karin Blaine
9pm – Kevin McCarthy Quartet

CROSSROADS BELLEVUE: An Origin Records Holiday Celebration

SERAFINA: Kay Bailey

GALLERY 1412: Douglas Ferguson, List of Likes, Matthew McDowell

GRAZIE: Poindexter Jazz Quartet

Jazz Hang: Do It For the Kids

By Katy Bourne

Way back when I was a kid growing up in Ponca City, Oklahoma, I played alto saxophone. I first learned to play in elementary school, where a couple days a week, we would be excused from our regular class to go to the cafeteria where the aged and beloved Mr. Hartman gently worked with us on embouchure, time signatures, scales, etc. (I have a vague recollection of playing “Ave Maria” again and again and again.) Unfortunately, the only way to continue instrumental music education past elementary school was to be in the middle, then high school marching band, which in Ponca City was basically an accessory to the football team more than a focused music program. On top of learning songs, we were required to also master new choreography for each and every football game. We would drag out to the field for early morning practices or sometimes after school, when the September sun was a scorcher. On games days, we had to wear itchy, blue wool suits, which were hot, uncomfortable and looked about as attractive as a female police officer’s uniform. The band director was mean, plain and simple. I don’t remember his name. I do recall that he was short and would snap, snarl and froth at the mouth. He would scream at us if we didn’t get the requisite moves down correctly. I could never remember the choreography and not being a multi-tasker, I found playing and marching at the same time to be almost impossible. I was often the target of the angry band director’s wrath. Being young and at that point, unconscious of a musical world beyond Oklahoma, I drew the erroneous conclusion that if I was going to play the alto saxophone, then this was the best I could hope for. I was miserable and gave up playing. There was no one around spinning John Coltrane or Charlie Parker records. “Jazz” was not in the musical vocabulary in Ponca City, Oklahoma in those days. (Er, and probably still isn’t.) I was unaware that playing the saxophone could be fun and that music could be hip.

Thankfully, things couldn’t be more different for my boys, ages 10 and 14. The Seattle Public Schools offer some of the most outstanding jazz programs in the country, at both the middle and high school level. Two of the most notable are Roosevelt High School, directed by Scott Brown, and Garfield High School, directed by Clarence Acox. (My oldest son is a freshman at Garfield and is a member of the jazz ensemble III there.) Both of these schools offer in-depth jazz education as well as multiple opportunities for students of various skill levels to play in an ensemble and/or big band and to gain valuable performing experience. The level of musicianship of these young players is truly amazing, and both of these programs turn out some of the best jazz bands in the city. There are many opportunities to see these groups perform. Here are few upcoming dates for the Garfield Jazz Bands:

Winterfest-Student Showcase
December 8, 2007 11:30am
Seattle Center House Stage
Garfield Jazz Ensemble II opens their performance season with a free concert of holiday music.

Winterfest-Seattle’s Best Jazz
December 14, 2007 8:00pm
Seattle Center House Stage
This free concert features James Caddell, Lisa Loud and Darren Motamady, backed up by the Garfield Jazz Band I.

Tula’s Jazz Club
December 16, 2007 3:00pm
2214 2nd Ave.
Seattle, WA
Under the tutelage of Jay Thomas, the Garfield Jazz Ensemble III makes their second public performance. The Jay Thomas Big Band follows immediately afterwards.

If you’re not familiar with these groups, do not for a second let the fact that they are students dissuade you. These kids have some serious chops. You will be delighted by solid jazz performances from any of these groups. It is very important to support all of the school jazz programs here in Seattle and attending performances is a great way to do so. My friend, jazz photographer Ron Hudson, said it best, “They’re the ones who will perpetuate the music”. Please consider dropping by one of these performances. Do it for the kids.

Friday Night Jazz

Lots of things happening tonight:

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Susan Pascal Quartet

BAKE’S PLACE: Trish, Hans & Phil

JAZZ ALLEY: Mike Stern Quartet

HIROSHI’S JAZZ AND SUSHI: Carolyn Graye and friends

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Natalie Rose – Vocal-and-keyboard soloist!
9pm – Grupo Amoroso
11pm – Chris Bendt

SERAFINA: Jazzukha, original world jazz

GRAZIE: Shear Jazz

and don’t forget the Columbia City Beatwalk!

Go out and hear live music tonight and support local jazz presenters.

Thursday Night Jazz

A listing of events …

THE CHAPEL: Earshot presents John Butcher, Torsten Muller, Dylan van der Schyff (more info)

JAZZ ALLEY: Mike Stern Band

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: James DeJoie Group

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Gayle Cloud
9pm – Marco de Carvalho Trio – Brazilian Guitar! with Marco de Carvalho (guitar), Ben Verdier (bass) and Beri Puhlovski (drums)

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Djangomatics

THE NEW ORLEANS: The Ham Carson Quintet

THAIKU: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson, Tad Britton

Wednesday Jazz

There sure are a lot of things happening tonight … go out and hear live music!

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Wayne Horvitz’ Sweeter Than The Day

JAZZ ALLEY: Beatlejazz

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Ari Zucker Trio

NEW ORLEANS: The Legend Band with Clarance Acox

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
6pm – Dan Sales Trio
8pm – Vocal Jam with Carrie Wicks

GALLERY 1412: The Amber Tone
Clark Gibson, alto saxophone
Brian Bermudez, tenor saxophone
Dawn Clement, piano
Jon Hamar, bass
Brad Gibson, drums

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio

MEANY THEATER: UW Studio Jazz Ensemble

THE HENDRIX LOUNGE: John Bishop Group

VICTORY LOUNGE: Joe Doria Trio

Sweeter Than The Day at Tula’s

Come down to Tula’s this Wednesday, December for a rare appearance of Wayne Horvitz’ Sweeter Than the Day. This band, born of the ashes of Zony Mash, goes back over a decade now and they rarely play in Seattle more than once of year….so get in on this while you can!!!

featuring:
Wayne Horvitz – Piano
Timothy Young – Guitar
Keith Lowe – Bass
Erice Eagle – Drums

Tula’s Jazz Club

2214 2nd Ave
Seattle, WA

206-443-4221
8:00pm
$10