Seattle Jazz Scene

Note: Kendra Shank performs at Jazz Alley Tues-Wed, April 7-8, in support of her new CD, Mosaic. Click here to view the Jazz Alley website.

from The Seattle Times:

Of the many accomplished singers to come out of Seattle lately and long ago, few have taken as circuitous a path as Kendra Shank, the former folk singer and French chanteuse who will headline Jazz Alley this week.

What started as a second career as a jazz singer has reached maturity in time for Shank’s 50th birthday. She will perform with her quartet of 10 years at Jazz Alley in a homecoming of sorts.

“In terms of my musical development, Seattle is where I grew up,” said Shank, who was raised in San Diego and worked here from 1979 to 1997.

She was a folk singer in college — Shank attended both Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma and the University of Washington. In her early 20s, she accompanied herself on guitar, a regular on the open-mic circuit, in the style of Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell and James Taylor, shifting into country and bluegrass now and then, occasionally playing with a banjo player.

Having earned a degree in art and French, she shifted styles further, performing old, French popular songs at various French restaurants in Seattle (including La Rive Gauche, the restaurant that would become Tula’s). Those gigs were hugely popular and financially rewarding, but more importantly, served as her transition into jazz.

In 1989, then in her 30s, Shank also began to study at Cornish College of the Arts with jazz vocalist Jay Clayton. When La Rive Gauche became Tula’s jazz club, Shank was the first singer scheduled to perform.

She played regularly with some of the best musicians in Seattle, including John Hansen, Randy Halberstadt, Hans Teuber, Jeff Johnson and Bill Anschell. She also found a receptive audience in Paris.

from JazzTimes.com

Bud Shank, an alto saxophonist and flutist whose career spanned more than a half century, died April 2 at his home in Tucson, Ariz. The cause pulmonary failure. A day earlier Shank had been in San Diego recording a new album. Shank was 82.

Born May 27, 1926 in Dayton, Ohio, Clifford Everett “Bud” Shank tried his hand at a variety of woodwinds before settling on the saxophone. He attended college in North Carolina and worked with saxophonist Charlie Barnet before moving to California in the late 1940s, where he played with trumpeter Shorty Rogers and then pianist Stan Kenton. Working with guitarist Laurindo Almeida, Shank was also one of the first jazz musicians to explore Brazilian music. Shank cut a number of albums for the world music label World Pacific from the ’50s to the ’70s.

Shank first recorded as a leader in the mid-’50s, for the Pacific Jazz label. He is considered part of the emerging West Coast cool school, but he continued to develop beyond that sound as the years went on. In those early years, he also played with Maynard Ferguson, Bob Brookmeyer, Bob Cooper and, in 1962, with Indian sitarist Ravi Shankar on the latter’s Improvisations album. In the ’60s, Shank also aligned with artists as diverse as Sergio Mendes, the Mamas and the Papas—that’s his flute on the classic hit “California Dreamin’”—and Chet Baker, who appeared on Shank’s 1966 album Michelle, a collection of covers of then-contemporary pop hits. The latter became Shank’s only album to reach the Billboard charts.

Shank continued to evolve during the ’70s and ’80s, eventually giving up the flute to concentrate on his alto work. He put together a band called the L.A. Four with Almeida, bassist Ray Brown and a revolving cast of drummers, and recorded a number of albums for such labels as Concord, Contemporary and Candid. In 2004 Mosaic released Mosaic Select 10, a three-disc collection of Shank’s Pacific Jazz collaborations with Cooper. In 2005 Shank formed the Bud Shank Big Band and in 2007 he released Beyond the Red Door, with pianist Bill Mays.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Vocal Jam hosted by Greta Matassa

NEW ORLEANS: New Orleans Quintet

TOST: Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder

LUCID: Datura

from The Seattle Times:

In his classic 1973 book “The Anxiety of Influence,” the prodigious literary critic Harold Bloom argues that great poets define themselves through an Oedipal struggle in which they misread the work of their predecessors to find their own distinctive voice.

Maybe the collaborative nature of jazz serves as an antidote to anxiety, because the most creative improvisers embrace and build on their influences rather than symbolically killing them. And no jazz artist better embodies the way a powerful musical personality can nourish widely divergent approaches than alto saxophonist Steve Coleman, who performs with his band Five Elements on Sunday at the Triple Door.

Few of the players inspired by Coleman sound anything like him, but his conceptual rigor connects with Cuban drummer Dafnis Prieto, pianist Vijay Iyer and altoist Miguel Zenon (who recently became the youngest jazz musician ever awarded a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship).

Continue reading at The Seattle Times.

Word has started coming in that alto saxophonist and jazz legend Bud Shank passed away at his home in Arizona on Thursday, April 2.

The saxophonist had strong ties to the Northwest as a resident of Port Townsend and founder of the Bud Shank Jazz Workshop which was held at Centrum every summer.

We will post more details as they come in.

EARSHOT JAZZ PRESENTS
SEATTLE ASIAN ART MUSEUM: Ab Baars Trio w/ Ken Vandermark
1400 E Prospect St, Seattle, 8:00pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Stanley Clarke

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Katie King Quartet

BAKE’S PLACE: Tingstad and Rumbel

LATONA PUB: Leif Todasek

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Impressions Guitar Duo, with Wayne Bliss and Frank Seeberger
9pm – Billy Brandt (vocals), with Hans Brehmer (piano), Chris Smith (guitar), Brad Boal (drums) and Geoff Cooke (bass)
11pm – S!ide Panther!, with Juan DeShawn (guitar/vocals), Cambajamba (jug/banjo), Justin Case (washboard/riddims) and Avey Normal (vocals/kazoo)

EDMONDS CENTER FOR THE ARTS: THE SRJO PERFORMING BENNY CARTER’S
“KANSAS CITY SUITE”

LUCID: Jason Chambliss Quartet

EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Trish Hatley Trio

HIROSHI’S JAZZ AND SUSHI: Carolyn Graye & Friends

GALLERY 1412: Amy Denio’s Mood Organ

PAMPAS ROOM: Brian Nova Quartet

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Bassic Saxx

SOUTHPORT CAFE: Brooks Giles Group
1083 Lake Washington Blvd. N, Renton, WA

from The Seattle Times:

There’s an argument raging in jazz.

Spurred largely by the controversial 2005 book, “Is Jazz Dead?” by British writer Stuart Nicholson, the argument suggests that jazz is being advanced to a greater degree outside America — the country of its birth.

However you come down on that issue, most everyone can agree that audiences are created by the debate itself. Some of that music will cross the shores to America this month in a series of four April concerts presented by Earshot Jazz.

Its Spring Series 2009, which puts together prominent, avant-garde, European and American musicians, begins tonight with a performance at the Seattle Asian Art Museum by the Dutch saxophonist Ab Baars and his trio. Joining him will be Chicago saxophonist Ken Vandermark, known for his intricate compositions and multilayered improvisation.

Reagan Kee & Company @ BLUE DOG CAFÉ
5247 University Way NE
All Ages , 6:00pm – 8:00pm

To Do Es @ LA CASA DEL MOJITO RESTAURANT
5253 University Way NE
All Ages, 8:30 – 10:30

Wanderlust @ CASPIAN GRILL PERSIAN CUISINE
5517 University Way NE
All Ages, 6:00 – 8:00

Jason Parker @ HERKIMER COFFEE
5611 University Way NE
All Ages, 6:00 – 8:00

Chemical Clock @ KNARR BAR
5633 University Way NE
21 +, 8:30 – 10:30

Pink Carpet @ A PIZZA MART
5026 University Way NE
21 +, 10:00 – 12:30

Swedish Brazilian Punk @ GAUL WAY ARMS
5257 University Way NE
21 +, 9:00pm – 12:00am

Operation Id Trio @ LOUNJIN CAFÉ & SAKE BAR
4527 University Way NE
All Ages, 6:00 – 8:00pm

Lee Redfield Trio @ THE DISTRICT LOUNGE
4507 Brooklyn Ave
21 +, 8:00 – 10:00pm

Melodious Thunk @ KAI’S BISTRO & LOUNGE
1312 NE 43rd St.
21 +, 11:00 – 1:00

Datura @ CAFÉ SOLSTICE
4116 University Way NE
All Ages, 8:00 – 10:00

Earshot Jazz presents:
Ab Baars Trio w/ Ken Vandermark

Friday, April 3, 8 pm

Amsterdam’s top improvisers with Chicago’s MacArthur-winning sax titan.

Seattle Asian Art Museum, Volunteer Park, 1430 Prospect Ave, Seattle

:: $15 general ($13 for Earshot Members, Senior Citizens and Students)
:: $7.50 youth ticket (18 and under)

JAZZ ALLEY: Stanley Clarke

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Kelley Johnson Vocal Showcase

NEW ORLEANS: The Bob Jackson Quintet

THAIKU: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson, Tad Britton

CAFE PALOMA: Wayne Horvitz Quartet
from Earshot Jazz: The perpetually effervescent Wayne Horvitz takes to a small local stage with a handful of well known sideman – Mark Taylor, Geoff Harper and Eric Eagle. Most jazz aficionados in town know the biography and credits of this New York City ex-patriot, as he used to be one of the highest profile musicians in town. Lately he’s been quite a bit stealthier, all the while maintaining a healthy stream of increasingly compelling recordings. Last year he even received a NEA American Masterpieces grant for his recent work with a string quartet. How many chances do you get to see such a high caliber performer in such an intimate setting?

LO-FI: Tai Shan And The Teaching

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – All 4 Blues & New Trixx – Kenny Mandell jazz workshop performance
9pm – Stay Tuned, with Alan Ehrlich (banjo/guitar), Mary Sackmann (acoustic bass), Terry O’Brien (mandolin/guitar) and Pete Goodall (guitar/mandolin)

SORRENTO HOTEL: Katy Bourne w/ Randy Halberstadt

NEW ORLEANS: The Legacy Band w/Clarence Acox

JAZZ ALLEY: Dave Frishberg

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Bert Gulhaugen / John Hansen Vocal Showcase

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Blue Lamas & New Trixx – Kenny Mandell jazz workshop performance
9pm – Vocal Jam hosted by Julie Cascioppo, with the Bruce Barnard Trio

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio

LUCID: Jose Gonzales Trio

WHISKEY BAR: Ronnie Pierce

JAZZ ALLEY: Dave Frishberg

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Critical Mass Big Band

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Dorothy Rodes with Dawn Clement
9pm – Neil Welch

DEXTER AND HAYES: Tim Kennedy

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Karin Kajita

MIX: Don Mock

JAZZ ALLEY: Double CD Release Party: Marc Seales Quintet and Rochelle House

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Ronnie Pierce’s “Dream Band”

NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Quintet

TOST: Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder

Monday, March 30, 7:30pm
Pony Boy Records Presents:
A Workshop Big Band Resurrection of Ronnie Pierce’s “Dream Band” library from 1946

Tula’s Restaurant & Nightclub
2214 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA
reservations: ph: 206-443-4221
http://www.tulas.com
$8 cover charge

This will be an investigative workshop/rehearsal/rehydration of a book and big band that lots of the jazzers from the period raved about. Kids like Red Kelly, Marvin Thomas, Fred Greenwell, etc… They all said it was a great book, and a very modern band for the time… With Arrangements by Bob Hill (who passed away last Thursday) and Glenn Thomas. We will give it a reading and see what’s been hidden away since 1946. We’ll do some rendering, and make some recordings in “workshop” fashion for documentation to apply for a grant – for a more formal performance. We’ll even do some on-stage panel interviewing of Ronnie Pierce and the author of a new book about the “Sheriff,” along with some photos and historical perspectives. I came across many references to this band when researching the “Conversations & Deconstructions” piece. Ronnie has had the music locked away for a very long time – let’s see what all the fuss was about.

Come on down for the spectacle!

Saxes: Travis Ranney, Alexey Nikolaev, Mike West, Bill Ramsay
Trombones: Gary Shutes, Dan Marcus, Dave Marriott, Greg Schroeder
Trumpets: Dennis Haldane, Mike Mines, Al Keith, Jake Bergevin, Chad McCullugh
Wandering French Horn High Notes: Mike Simpson
Rhythm Section: Greg Williamson, drums; Jon Hamar, bass; Dan Kramlich, piano; Jim Day, guitar

Tickets to the 2009 Ballard Jazz Festival (April 22-26) are on sale now with big discounts available to those who buy before April 1st.

Vibraphonist Joe Locke returns after his monumental 2004 performance at The Ballard Jazz Festival which resulted in the live recording, Live in Seattle. He will be joined by Portland pianist Darrell Grant and Seattle musicians Thomas Marriott, Jeff Johnson and John Bishop.

The Ballard Jazz Walk is bigger than ever with 19 groups performing in 12 venues all on a single ticket. Featured are locals Bill Ramsey and Jay Thomas, Hadley Caliman, John Stowell and Scenes, Tumbao, Kelley Johnson, Ben Thomas, Mark Taylor, Hans Teuber and more. New this year is an OA2 Records event at Leif Erikson Hall featuring the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra and Cynthia Mullis & Third Hemisphere.

Guitarist Corey Christiansen will be featured at a couple of events during the week starting with The Guitar Summit at The Sunset Tavern on Thursday, April 23. Christiansen will be joined by fellow guitarists Don Mock, Jay Roberts, Dave Peterson and John Stowell is different performances throughout the night.

Also returning are The Brotherhood of the Drum and the Swedish Pancake Jazz Brunch.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit: http://ballardjazzfestival.com

A big THANK YOU to all of our advertisers on Seattle Jazz Scene. This site is able to stay online because of the advertising by the following:

The Ballard Jazz Festival (April 22 – 26)

Marc Seales / Rochelle House CD Release Party at Jazz Alley (Monday, March 30)

The Bellevue Jazz Festival (May 22 – 24)

Jason Parker Quartet (appearing at Tula’s, Monday, April 13)

and we will be welcoming some new advertisers in April …

Mark Taylor’s new CD, Spectre (performing at SAM and The Triple Door)

Dave Koz and Brian Culbertson (September 24 at The Puyallup Fair)

If you would like to advertise, please email [email protected] for more information.

from The Seattle Times:

Jennifer Scott is a musical alchemist, a singer with a gift for transforming songs often dismissed as pop dross into jazz gold.

Not that she makes a particular point out of dredging up Top 40 hits, but the Vancouver, B.C.-based Scott has set herself apart from the jazz-vocalist pack with her mesmerizing renditions of the most unlikely tunes.

“I’ve never been a jazz snob,” says Scott, who makes her Bake’s Place debut as a bandleader this weekend with her husband, bassist Rene Worst; pianist Randy Halberstadt; and drummer Mark Ivester. “I’ve always enjoyed all types of music. Pop tunes relate to a much broader base of people. I love ‘All the Things You Are’ and the beautifully crafted standards, but there’s other material that’s just as exciting.”

No song better exemplifies Scott’s fearless plunge into the back pages of the bubble-gum canon than her angst-ridden arrangement of Lesley Gore’s chart-topping 1963 lament “It’s My Party.” In Scott’s hands, the teenage tale of woe turns into a surprisingly taut musical melodrama, advanced by an insinuating bass line. She credits Worst with seeing the song’s potential, and doggedly campaigning for her to tackle it.

Continue reading at The Seattle Times.

Yesterday allaboutjazz.com featured a free track from Jason Parker. Today they have a free track from another musician with Seattle ties.

Cornish alum Brad Shepik has a new CD out on the Songlines label. Visit allaboutjazz.com for a free track from his new CD, Human Activity Suite.

Lima (South America)
from Human Activity Suite

from The Seattle Times:

For the past 10 years, high-school jazz bands from Washington state have accounted for nearly one-quarter of the finalists in the prestigious Essentially Ellington band competition in New York City. True to form, three schools from the Seattle area are sending bands to the 15-band Ellington competition in May: Garfield, Roosevelt and Newport.

To raise money for travel expenses, those schools — along with the bands from Shorewood and Mountlake Terrace high schools, which have also competed at the Ellington finals — will perform a fundraising concert at 7:30 tonight at the Paramount Theatre (911 Pine St., Seattle). The concert, called Hot Java Cool Jazz and sponsored by Starbucks, raised more than $16,000 per school last year. Even the schools that do not compete in Ellington spend a lot of money to perform, travel and practice.

Continue reading at The Seattle Times.