Seattle Jazz Scene

Now that the long slog of the election-season-for-the-ages is coming to a close, it’s time to kick back and PARTY! We hope you’ll stop by and join in our open jam session, with musicians of all stripes and musical genres performing roots, blues, jazz, world, country, indie, etc…and any permutations thereof 😉
EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE
1707 NW Market Street
Seattle, WA 98107
Phone: 206-789-1621

MJ Bishop (and possibly Jim Knodle) will be herding the cats, and Seattle’s own Jim Page promises to be here by 6pm!

We’ll be projecting results on the screen starting around 5pm, cruising the web for interesting nuggets, and streaming both the concession speech (which I’m guessing will happen just after our polls close at 8pm) and the acknowledgment speech, which I’m guessing will happen about 9pm (11pm Chicago time). But the race is likely to be projected earlier, so don’t wait too long to come down!

In honor of the occasion, we will be rolling back our food and drink prices 8 years (pre-Bush/Cheney) for the night. No cover…but we’ll make sure no starving artists go hungry 😉

We’ll also be passing the hat for our new Egan’s Music Support Fund, 50% of which will go toward subsidizing student discounts at your regular gigs, so you don’t take a hit on that (unless you can afford to). The other 50% will go toward tuning the piano more often, replacing drum heads, cables, etc., and in general keeping our sound and lighting support up to snuff.

Hope you can make it!

cheers,
Suzanne, Ben, and the rest of the crew!

From Wayne Horvitz:

Dear Seattle Friends,

The night of the 2000 election Zony Mash was playing at the long-gone and sorely missed OK Hotel. I will never forget hearing at the break that Al Gore had won Florida, only to come home after the gig and find out that all had changed. The last 8 years have been like the wrong doctor giving you the wrong medication for the wrong diagnosis. It has been beyond belief or comprehension.

Well we hope to change all that, and if you feel like you have done all you can by Monday night please join us for a celebration of life as we know it and also as we hope it to be, before the final shoot-out. This will be the last night of the Earshot celebration of my 20 years in Seattle. We have 3 great bands, representing 2 generations.

Headlining will be THE PRESIDENT. We picked this night for a reason! With original members Bobby Previte and Doug Wieselman and Seattle greats Tim Young, Keith Lowe and Steve Moore this was my first major electric band, which toured Europe and the States, cut its teeth in NYC clubs like CBGB’s and the Mudd Club, did 3 albums for Nonesuch records, paved the way for Zony Mash and Pigpen, and last played in Seattle in 1992? Just watching Bobby Previte rock this music is worth the price of admission. (By the way, the original name of the band was The President of the United States of America, the rest is history.)

Two jazz orchestras play first. Opening will be Sam Gray’s Frantic Managerie. I felt that I should bring things full circle in this retrospective and represent the next generation. Sam has been a composition student of mine, and has a killer set of tunes. Most of the players are Garfield and Roosevelt kids, and students can get $11 tickets.

In the middle we have the New York Composers Orchestra East/West. Original and former members include Bobby Previte, Ron Miles, Briggan Krauss, special guests Skerik and Tim Young and a slew of great Seattle players including Hans Teuber, Mark Taylor, Phil Sparks and many more.

For more information on the history of any and all of these bands, and a little bit about why we need “Joe the Songwriter” in These Hard Times (Joe Hill that is) I have been blogging about this event at: blog.waynehorvitz.net

See ya
Wayne

EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL:

Triple Door, 7:00pm
Wayne Horvitz:
NY Composers Orchestra West & The President
Sam Gray’s Frantic Menagerie Orchestra
Horvitz presents NY Composers Orchestra West, an amalgamation of Seattle and New York players, and a reprise of his early New York band, The President (just in time for the election). Opening: an adventurous big band of Garfield High School alumnus Sam Gray.
CALL 206-838-4333 FOR TICKETS

other events happening tonight …

JAZZ ALLEY: Liberty, Skyline and Issaquah High School Jazz Bands

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: VOCAL JAM with Greta Matassa

NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Quintet

TOST: Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder

SEATTLE DRUM SCHOOL: Jim Knapp Orchestra

Woodstick 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
2pm – 4pm
Doors open 9:30am

The 6th annual Woodstick Big Beat world record drumming event will be held on November 2nd at the Juanita Field House in Kirkland, WA. If you own a drum set, this event is for you!

Woodstick currently holds the Guinness World record of 533 drummers playing drumsets simultaneously. This year drummers in Big Beat events in 9 cities across North America will attempt to break the record.

Also featured at the event will be a performance by Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron and you can enter to win a Ringo Starr autographed drumhead.

For all you drummers out there … more information can be found at:
http://bennettdrums.com

EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL

Town Hall, 8pm
Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra
UPDATE: Carla Bley has canceled due to health reasons. In her absence, pianist Alan Broadbent will perform with Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra.
A concert events of the decade! One of the most significant bassists in jazz performs with his adventurous, politically charged big band of NY all-stars. Their performance features arrangements and compositions of Haden’s longtime colleague and friend, Carla Bley.

Tula’s Restaurant, 8:30pm
Phil Markowitz Trio
The inventive, virtuosic, and accessible pianist, touring in support of his new release, Catalysis (Sunnyside Records), presents his forward-looking vision for jazz with percussionist Adam Nussbaum and bassist Jay Anderson.
CALL 206-443-4221 FOR RESERVATIONS

and the other events …

JAZZ ALLEY: Boz Scaggs Speak Low Tour

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Reptet

SERAFINA: Jose Gonzales Trio

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Conrad Tovar (vocals), with Tom Kellock (piano), Chris Symer (bass) and Jose Martinez (drums)
9pm – Rolf Jones-Moore
11pm – joietet

HIROSHI’S JAZZ AND SUSHI: Monkstone Theocracy

PAMPAS ROOM: Brian Nova Quartet w/ Mike West

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Fred Hoadley Trio

EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL:

Triple Door, 7pm & 9:30pm
Ravi Coltrane Quartet
“This is what jazz sounds like now in New York,” the NY Times’s Ben Ratliff said of this now-seasoned soprano and tenor saxophonist who performs with his stunning quartet of Luis Perdomo (piano), Drew Gress (bass), and E. J. Strickland (drums).
CALL 206-838-4333 FOR TICKETS

Tula’s Restaurant, 8:30pm
Ambrose Akinmusire
The winner of the 2007 Thelonious Monk Trumpet Competition is a rising star. Performing in support of his debut disc Prelude: To Cora, the in-demand hornman draws inspiration from all over: Chopin to Björk.
CALL 206-443-4221 FOR RESERVATIONS

other events in town …

JAZZ ALLEY: Boz Scaggs Speak Low Tour – Standards, Blues and Ballads

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: New Architects

THAIKU: Tad Britton, Jeff Johnson, Jon Alberts

NEW ORLEANS: The Ham Carson Quintet

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – The Recliners – a tribute to Patsy Cline!
9pm – Andrew Oliver Kora Ensemble

ST. CLOUD’S: Katy Bourne & Randy Halberstadt

LO-FI: The Teaching

MAY: Hans Teuber Trio

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Karin Kajita

EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL:

Triple Door, 7pm & 9:30pm
Richard Bona Quartet
Dazzling audiences at the intersections of jazz, pop, afro-beat, and funk, the in-demand bassist is a master musician and storyteller. The outstanding bassist and vocalist leads his own outstanding ensemble.
CALL 206-838-4333 FOR TICKETS

Tula’s Restaurant, 8:30pm
Ambrose Akinmusire
The winner of the 2007 Thelonious Monk Trumpet Competition is a rising star. Performing in support of his debut disc Prelude: To Cora, the in-demand hornman draws inspiration from all over: Chopin to Björk.
CALL 206-443-4221 FOR RESERVATIONS

New Orleans Creole Restaurant, 8pm
Floyd Standifer Tribute: Legacy Band
To salute the late Floyd Standifer, for decades a Seattle jazz fixture – influential, talented, and admired – the new lineup of the band he headed for 20 years at the New Orleans Creole Restaurant salutes him. Joining drummer Clarence Acox’s quartet are alumni including guitarist Robin Kuntz.
TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLY AT THE DOOR

and the other events …

JAZZ ALLEY: Janita

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Hardcoretet

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – The Michael Owcharuk Trio, with Michael Owcharuk (piano), Nate Omdal (bass) and Brad Gibson (drums), plus special guest Jim Knodle (trumpet)
9pm – Egan’s Vocal Jam, hosted by Fathia Atallah, with the Bruce Barnard Trio

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio

EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL:

Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 8pm
Peter Apfelbaum & New York Hieroglyphics
featuring Abdoulaye Diabate
Apfelbaum’s reformulated Hieroglyphics Ensemble, a tentet now based in New York, performs the original piece Aural Histories, composed with a Chamber Music America/Doris Duke Foundation grant. In each of the piece’s sections, a band member improvises over a composed background while Malian griot Abdoulaye Diabate sings a narrative of that particular musician’s life. Not to be missed!

Tula’s Restaurant, 8pm
Hans Teuber Trio
The outstanding multihornman is in demand nationwide and leads one of the most evocative small groups in Seattle jazz.
CALL 206-443-4221 FOR RESERVATIONS

other events tonight …

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Jose Gonzalez Trio +1

JAZZ ALLEY: Janita

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Reptet
9pm – Operation ID, with Ivan Arteaga (sax), Chris Icasiano (drums), Jared Borkowski (guitar) and David Balatero (bass)

MIX: Don Mock, Steve Kim & Charlie Nordstrom

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Karin Kajita

DEXTER AND HAYES: Tim Kennedy Trio

EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL:

Tula’s Restaurant, 8:30pm
Mark Taylor Quartet
The standout alto saxophonist, who becomes more seasoned and compelling each year, celebrates his new CD.
CALL 206-443-4221 FOR RESERVATIONS

Chapel Performance Space, 7:30pm
Georg Graewe
Gust Burns & Greg Campbell Duo
Graewe, the prodigiously talented German pianist, an avant-garde leading light, returns for a riveting solo recital. Opening: local adventurers Gust Burns (piano, altered keyboards) and Greg Campbell (percussion, French Horn).

all the other events …

NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Quintet

TOST: Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder

LA SPIGA: Eric Friedrich Duo

Sunday, October 26
Bellevue Arts Museum, 2:30pm
510 Bellevue Way NE
Bellevue, WA 98004

Eastside Jazz Extravaganza:
Madeline Eastman / Bill Ramsay’s
Birth of the Cool Nonet
$20 general
CALL 425-828-9104 FOR TICKETS

The innovative and dazzling vocalist Madeline Eastman headlines this year’s Jazz Extravaganza. Based in San Francisco, Eastman is known for her thrilling live performances and refreshing re-working of standards. “She’s hitting from beginning to end, sizzling and snapping with electricity, sliding across bar lines, scatting choruses, slowing to a whisper, bending melody lines to her will. She is in charge,” notes Stereophile magazine. In 2004, she won third place in the Down Beat Readers’ Poll female vocalist category, and was recognized by their International Critics Poll as a “Talent Deserving Wider Recognition.”

She has released six albums as leader, including Can You Hear Me Now? last month, and is in much demand as a collaborator, having worked with the likes of Mark Murphy, Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron, Tony Williams, Phil Woods, and Tom Harrell. Eastman maintains an active touring schedule, including visits to Japan, Finland, and New York, and has been invited to perform at the Cotati Jazz Festival, the legendary Monterey Jazz Festival, and the Glasgow Jazz Festival.

Tonight she is backed by Seattle favorites Bill Anschell on piano, Chuck Deardorf on bass, and John Bishop on drums.

Also featured is Bill Ramsay’s Birth of the Cool Nonet. Paying homage to the landmark work of Miles Davis, this little big band of Seattle all stars brings life to a collection of familiar and lesser-known classics. Baritone saxophonist Bill Ramsay, a veteran of the Count Basie Band and member of the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame, leads the ensemble with Travis Ranney on alto saxophone, Thomas Marriott on trumpet, Dave Marriott on trombone, Mike Simpson on French horn, Nelson Bell on tuba, Doug Miller on bass, Gary Gibson on drums, and Bill Anschell on piano.

Bassist Jon Hamar leading his quartet at the Seattle Art Museum (Jim Levitt photo)

In the first part of this program, John Gilbreath previews upcoming events in the Earshot Jazz Festival which continues through November 9th. Part 2 features excerpts from the October Art of Jazz Concert by the Jon Hamar Quartet. The quartet includes saxophonist Mark Taylor, pianist Dawn Clement and drummer Byron Vannoy in addition to bassist Jon Hamar. The music is mostly original compositions by Jon Hamar, whose most recent CD is “Hereafter”.

Jazz NW is recorded and produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for 88.5 KPLU and airs on Sundays at 1 pm. The program is also streamed simultaneously to the internet and is available as a podcast after the airdate at www.kplu.org.

By BILL WHITE
SPECIAL TO THE P-I

For the 20th anniversary of the Earshot Jazz Festival, we asked eight of the participating musicians to share their perspectives and memories with us. All of these performers have ties to the Northwest, having either grown up or relocated here.

MICHAEL SHRIEVE

(The drum legend brings his sextet, Spellbinder, to the Triple Door on Nov. 7.)

“It’s a testament to Earshot director John Gilbreath’s faith in the intelligence and openness of Seattle audiences to present this type of programming. It’s on the level of the great festivals in the world. It has a jazz slant, but also presents exciting and forward-thinking artists in world music, as well. I’m a huge Jack DeJohnette fan and seeing him with Keith Jarrett a few years back was magical. I’m also a big Wayne Horvitz fan, so I’ve got to see one of his shows this year.”

Continue reading at The Seattle PI …

EARSHOT JAZZ:

Triple Door, 7pm & 9:30pm
Wycliffe Gordon & Garfield High School Jazz Band
The acclaimed trombonist, composer, arranger, and educator Wycliffe Gordon performs his hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz with a high-school ensemble that rates among the nation’s very best.

Tula’s Restaurant, 8:30pm
Jonathan Pugh: Music of Don Lanphere
The cornetist presents a tribute to his longtime boss, the late Seattle saxophone legend Don Lanphere. This retrospective focuses on the work of Lanphere’s classic quintet of the 1970s and 1980s.

all the other stuff …

JAZZ ALLEY: Amel Larrieux

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: James Baumgart Trio (5:30pm); Motel 5 (9:00pm)

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Steve Wacker and Brad Warren
9pm – Menagerie of Extravagance, with Tamara Evans and David Brunn
11pm – The Nudie Suit Stardusters, Songs of Hank Williams & Patsy Cline

BAKE’S PLACE: Estrella Acosta with Jovino Santos Neto

SERAFINA: Fred Hoadley Trio

GRAZIE: Poindexter Jazz Quartet

JAZZVOX: Patti Wicks & Greta Matassa

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Doug Reid Qaurtet

PAMPAS ROOM: Brian Nova Quartet w/ Stephanie Porter

CAFE LUNA (Vashon Island): Thomas Marriott Quartet
9924 SW Bank Road, Vashon, WA 98070

Photos by Jim Levitt

Read More

EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL:

The Triple Door: Johnny A
Tula’s Jazz Club: Four Across
The Chapel: Marilyn Chrispell; Paul Lytton & Nate Wooley

Other events tonight …

JAZZ ALLEY: Tierney Sutton

NEW ORLEANS: The Legend Band w/ Clarence Acox

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – ThorNton Creek
9pm – Egan’s Vocal Jam, hosted by Katie King, with the Dan Sales Trio

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Fm Duo

From Hugo Kugiya’s review in The Seattle Times:

Uncoiling slowly and often in surprising ways, the Earshot Jazz Festival opened last weekend with the kind of musical menu it has become known for: a bit of the familiar, with a taste of the faraway.

The local festival with global reach has been criticized both for not being local enough and for being too reliant on locally bred artists. Presuming that all will never be fully pleased, most must have found something to be happy about on opening weekend.

The Roosevelt High School Jazz Band with guest trumpeter Sean Jones gave the first performance of the festival at the Triple Door, showing what sets apart this region in the jazz world — an exceptional concentration of young, accomplished musicians. Winner of this year’s Essentially Ellington high-school-band competition in New York, Roosevelt performed to a full house, with throngs of well-attired, proud parents rooting on their tuxedo-clad children on a world-class stage.

Continue reading at The Seattle Times.