Seattle Jazz Scene

Experimental Music Festival – Seattle January 2009

All shows at the Chapel Performance Space
4649 Sunnyside Ave. N, Seattle
$15 suggested donation
all ages

Thursday, January 8, 2009, 8:00 PM

Christian Asplund, Provo
Christian will be playing viola for this set, exploring works from his recent CD of solo viola compositions and improvisations. It is stunning music, and his style and presence are worth the price of admission. BONUS: All full-price ticket-holders will also receive a free copy of Christian’s new CD.

Cipher, Seattle and Brooklyn
This improvising quartet has been on a long hiatus since violinist Tom Swafford relocated to Brooklyn. But he is back for this festival and Cipher is reappearing. Tom Swafford on violin, Jesse Canterbury on clarinet, Tari Nelson-Zagar on violin, Greg Sinibaldi on bass clarinet. Some of the finest improvisors this fair city has to offer.

Thursday, January 15, 2009, 8:00 PM

Krispen Hartun, Boise
During the last year, Krispen has been focusing on the tonal character of the guitar as a basis for random electro-acoustic manipulation via Reaktor, a wide variety of VST effects, and Cycling 74’s MAX/msp. For this performance, he will be playing a new custom instrument built by luthier Bobby Warren from San Juan Island. The instrument is one-of-a-kind miniature jazz arch top guitar, only 29 inches long, but full of amazing tone and punch.

RadioSonde, Seattle
This company of 5 dancers and 4 improvising musicians premiered their first work INVERT to rave reviews last January at the Chapel. Dancer Beth Graczyk and composer Tom Baker have constructed a new score for this event, a structured dance/music improvisation to enliven the visual, sonic and physical space of the Chapel.

Thursday, January 22, 2009, 8:00 PM

Elliott Sharp, New York City
Is That Jazz? is very happy to welcome Elliott Sharp to Seattle for this rare Pacific Northwest solo show. For the past 10 years Elliott has been one of New York’s most influential and prolific musicians. His performances are visceral and powerful, raw and full of urban energy. Don’t miss this chance to see a true genius and pioneer of 21st century experimentalism in an exquisite listening environment.

Triptet, Seattle and New York City
After first playing all together in a Sun Ra Tribute band earlier this year, these three musicians each bring a strong sense of compositional form as well as organic structure to their improvisations. Saxophonist Michael Monhart recently re-located to New York City from Seattle, but he will return for this performance with guitarist Tom Baker and percussionist Greg Campbell. Grungy, groovy and free…

JAZZ ALLEY: Pearl Django with Special Guest Darol Anger

THE TRIPLE DOOR MAINSTAGE: Zappa Plays Zappa

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
5pm – Winter Break Cabaret, with singers Emily McVicker and Amy Berryman, and Evan Zavada (piano)
7pm – Isabella duGraf, with Brian Kinsella (piano), Chris Jones (bass) and Tim Leinhard (trombone)
9pm – Eric Apoe and Danny Godinez
11pm – Room for Roots Americana Series (Hosted by MJ Bishop), featuring Moe Provencher [Website] and Jes Raymond [Website] ($5 cover)

SERAFINA: tba

BAKE’S PLACE: Don Mock, Steve Kim, Frank Heye

GRAZIE: Andre Thomas and Quietfire

PAMPAS ROOM: Brian Nova Quartet

EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Trish Hatley Trio
555 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, 425-455-2734

ST. CLOUD’S: Jose Gonzales Trio

Pony Boy Records Presents
JAZZ and SUSHI
FRIDAY NIGHTS at Hiroshi’s

Happy New Year! Shake off old man 2008, and welcome 2009 with the fresh, clean and tasty sounds and flavors of Jazz & Sushi. Travis’ penchant for a happy Bossa Nova will be your good luck mantra for the New Year. Add one of Hiro-san’s Ranier Mt. Rolls and some comforting Miso Soup, and you’ll be getting off the year on a good foot.

Friday, January 2, 2009
7:30 – 10:00pm
JAZZ and SUSHI
Travis Ranney with Kistler & Williamson
Travis Ranney, saxophone
Chuck Kistler, bass
Greg Williamson, drums

Hiroshi’s Restaurant
2501 Eastlake Avenue East, Seattle, WA
ph: (206)726-4966
no cover

Pearl Django with Special Guest Darol Anger
JAZZ ALLEY
January 2-4, 2009

Make a reservation for this show.

The Pacific Jazz Institute at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley presents Pearl Django with special guest Darol Anger to ring in the first weekend of 2009! Band members include Neil Andersson and Ryan Hoffman (guitars), Rick Leppanen (bass) Michael Gray (violin), David Lange (accordion) and very special guest Darol Anger (fiddle). Set times Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Set time Sunday at 7:30pm. Doors open at 6:00pm on Friday and 5:30pm Saturday and Sunday.

Seattle-based Pearl Django swings in 2009 for three nights at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley with special guest, modern fiddler, Darol Anger! Exceptional among modern fiddlers for his versatility and depth, Darol Anger has helped drive the evolution of the contemporary string band through his involvement with numerous pathbreaking ensembles such as his Republic Of Strings, the Turtle Island String Quartet, the David Grisman Quintet, Montreux, the Duo and other ensembles. Today Darol can be heard on NPR’s “Car Talk” theme every week, along with Earl Scruggs, David Grisman and Tony Rice. He has recorded and produced scores of important recordings since 1977, is a MacDowell and UCross Fellow, and has received numerous composers’ residencies and grants. He is a featured soloist on dozens of recordings and motion picture soundtracks. Violinist, fiddler, composer, producer and educator, Darol Anger is at home in a number of musical genres, some of which he helped to invent.

JAZZ ALLEY: Pearl Django with Special Guest Darol Anger

THE TRIPLE DOOR: THE TEACHING – CD RELEASE SHOW!

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Richard Cole Quartet

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – John Cheadle Group, with John Cheadle (tenor sax), Zach Para (drums), Devin Lowe (bass), Gus Carns (piano), and Colin Pulkrabek (trombone)
9pm – Paul Green’s Blues, featuring Straight Shot, with Gary Ballard (guitar), Howard Hooper (bass), and Les Merrihew (drums)
11pm – Reid/Yackshaw Quartet, featuring guest vocalist Kaela Kahn, with Sam Reid (alto sax), Jackson Kellok (piano), Jacob Yackshaw (bass), David Zimmer (drums)

LATONA PUB: Phil Sparks Trio

LOCAL COLOR: Whisper De Corvo

GRAZIE: Andre Thomas and Quietfire

EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Trish Hatley Trio
555 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, 425-455-2734

PAMPAS ROOM: Brian Nova Quartet

THE TEACHING – CD RELEASE SHOW!
The Triple Door Mainstage
Friday, January 2, 2009
7:30pm {more info}

The Teaching has been dazzling Seattle listeners for one and a half years at “The Hang”, their weekly Thursday night performance at Lo-Fi Performance Gallery. This concert may indeed reveal the “secret”. Performances at the Earshot Jazz Festival, in Georgia and Colorado, and their debut studio album are revealing what listeners at The Hang have experienced – these guys are tapping into something magical.

The musical cohesion and camaraderie in this trio leaves audiences spellbound. In one continuous set, The Teaching delivers irresistible grooves, explosive swing, melodious singing, devotional chanting, and titanic builds that boil to the breaking point and then burst over. You’ll hear enthusiastic vocal outbursts from the band members and see tears of joy welling up. A spirit of celebration, joy, and devotion for life permeates their music. You cannot help but experience the inspiration. At this CD release concert they’ll release their debut self-titled CD The Teaching, which features all original music played from the heart.

Josh Rawlings – Fender Rhodes
Evan Flory-Barnes – Acoustic Bass
Jeremy Jones – Drums

STG presents Blue Note Records 70th Anniversary on Tour
The Moore Theatre
Thursday, January 8, 2009
7:30pm {more info}

Bill Charlap – musical director, and piano
Peter Bernstein – guitar
Ravi Coltrane – tenor saxophone
Nicholas Payton – trumpet
Steve Wilson – alto saxophone
Peter Washington – bass
Lewis Nash – drums

Alfred Lion launched BLUE NOTE Records, the premier label in the history of jazz, in 1939. At the end of that year, Lion’s childhood friend Francis Wolff caught the last boat out of Nazi-controlled Germany bound for America. He found employment at a photographic studio and joined forces with Lion at night to continue Blue Note and together, for almost the next 30 years, they recorded the greatest artists in jazz – Fats Navarro, Bud Powell, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, Herbie Hancock, Grant Green Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley, Eric Dolphy, Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, Horace Silver, Joe Henderson, Lou Donaldson, Kenny Dorham, Cannonball Adderley, and many others.

Blue Note’s catalog of music features an impressive array of legendary performances and a core list of “must-have” releases that indelibly marked the history of jazz.

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Blue Note legacy, an all-star band featuring some of the finest jazz musicians today will travel the world throughout 2009. A new CD will be recorded in the spring of 2008 and released in conjunction with the commencement of the tour in January 2009.

For Northwest jazz fans in particular, here are some of the exceptional releases from artists living in Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver.

Thomas Marriott – Crazy, Music of Willie Nelson – Origin
Hadley Caliman – Gratitude – Origin
Dawn Clement – Break – Origin
Matt Jorgensen + 451 – Another Morning – Origin
Bridge Quartet – Day – Origin
Bill Coon/ Ron Peters – No Boundaries – Modern Hot
Cory Weeds Quartet – Big Weeds – Cellar Live
Kelley Johnson – Home – Sapphire

Here is what’s on tap for tonight. If you have something to add, post it in the Comments or email us at [email protected]

From Earshot Jazz Magazine:

Poncho Sanchez at Jazz Alley
As we say farewell to 2008 and welcome 2009, there is no better way to celebrate than with an evening of jazz. This year, area venues offer an impressive selection of the region’s favorite musicians as well as several imports. Here is a sampling: The popular Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band will ring in the New Year at Jazz Alley. With Sanchez on congas, the band pays homage to 60 years of Latin jazz. In addition to the expected Afro-Cuban rhythms, Sanchez and his band mates infuse jazz standards with R&B and funk. Sanchez will be joined by George Ortiz on timbales, Tony Banda on bass, Ron Blake on trumpet, Javier Vergara on alto and tenor saxophone, Francisco Torres on trombone, Joseph De Leon on bongo and percussion, and David Torres on piano. The evening begins with a dinner show from 8:45 until 10 pm (doors open at 6 pm), for $100.50 per person, which includes a four-course dinner, admission to the first show, tax, and gratuity. Or, if you prefer, a first-set, cocktails-only package is $47.50. The “Ring in the New Year” package is $75.50 per person and includes admission to the second show, choice of desert, coffee or tea, party favors, and tax and tip. Music starts at 11 pm, with doors opening at 10:30 pm. For an entire night of jazz, both packages can be had for $150.50. Poncho Sanchez and his band also appear on December 29 & 30, with set times at 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm; admission $27.50. To make reservations call (206) 441-9729 or visit www.jazzalley.com.

Thomas Marriott & Hadley Caliman at Tula’s
Trumpeter Thomas Marriott and saxophonist Hadley Caliman help ring in the New Year at Tula’s. This dynamic duo has been burning up the road since the release of Caliman’s album, Gratitude, last February. Together they have played venues and festivals throughout North America with performances in more than a dozen cities. Tonight they will be backed Matt Jorgensen on drums, Randy Halberstadt on piano, and Phil Sparks on bass. Music begins at 8:00 pm and lasts well into 2009. The cover charge is $25. Call (206) 443-4221 to reserve.

Ring in the New Year at Egans
Egan’s Ballard Jam House ushers in the New Year with three acts designed to please. Beginning at 7:00 pm, alumni from the Roosevelt High School jazz program perform in a College Homecoming Show, followed by the irreverent comedy of Menagerie of Extravagance at 9:00 pm, and concluding with the distinct stylings of Jim Knodle and Friends at 11:00 pm. The cover charge is $10 for each show. Visit www.ballardjamhouse.com or call 206-789-1621 for more information

Little Bill & Blue Notes at Bakes
If you’re in the mood for blues, go to Bake’s Place to hear Little Bill and the Blue Notes. Vocalist and bassist “Little Bill” Englehart has been a fixture of the Northwest music scene since the 1950s, and the Blue Notes were one of the first rhythm and blues bands in the area. The festivities begin at 8:00 pm and continue until midnight. The package, for $95, includes a dinner hors d’oeuvres and dessert buffet, music, party favors, champagne toast, and a balloon release at midnight. Call (425) 391-3335 or e-mail [email protected] for reservations.

Curtis Salgado at the Triple Door
Blues are also on tap at the Triple Door. Vocalist and harmonica player extraordinaire Curtis Salgado kicks off the New Year with his engaging mix of blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll. The original inspiration for the Blues Brothers, Salgado has been a part of the Northwest scene since 1972 and has worked with the likes of Muddy Waters, Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland, Albert Collins, Bonnie Raitt, and Carlos Santana. The evening begins with a dinner show at 7:00 pm for $100, which includes concert admission, a 3-course dinner, glass of champagne, sales tax, and gratuity. Next up, the dessert show begins at 10:00 pm. Cost of admission is $70 and includes concert admission, an appetizer, dessert, glass of champagne, sales tax, and gratuity. For more information and reservations call (206) 838-4333 or visit www.tripledoor.com. The Musicquarium Lounge features: Kiko Freitas & How Now Brown Now

Lonnie Williams Band at the New Orleans
Finally, for a helping of rhythm ‘n’ blues, turn to the Lonnie Williams Band at the New Orleans Restaurant. A long-time fan favorite, Williams is known for his soulful and exciting performances. Music starts at 9 pm; cover charge $15. Call (206) 622-2563 for more information.

And other events happening tonight …

Cafe Harlequin: Finn Hill Jazz Quartet w/ Kay Bailey
107 Lake Street, Kirkland, 9:00pm

Thaiku: Ron Weinstein Trio

The Pink Door: Casey MacGill’s Blue 4 Trio

Serafina: Leo Raymundo Quartet and Sue Nixon

JAZZ ALLEY: Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Carmen Staaf CD Release Party for “Reflection”

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Mike Gullo Group, with Mike Gullo (vocals), Scotty Bemis (piano), Colleen Gilligan (bass) and Brian “Blade” Greggs (drums)
9pm – Daniel Kamas

DEXTER AND HAYES: Tim Kennedy Trio

SPOTTED COW CREAM AND BEAN: Bellevue Standards Trio
5118 Main St # 700, Mill Creek, 7:00pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Karin Kajita

MIX: Don Mock, Steve Kim & Charlie Nordstrom

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Dylan Heaney, Keith Judelman & Phil Parisot

from Downbeat:

Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, who from the mid ’60s to the late ’80s was arguably the most powerful and prolific trumpeter in jazz, died Monday morning. He had been admitted to the hospital in early December with what was believed to be a heart attack. He was 70.

Blessed with a sound that combined Clifford Brown’s technique, Lee Morgan’s bravura and Miles Davis’ sensitivity, Hubbard was prominent for much of his career both a leader and a sideman. Born in Indianapolis on April 7, 1938, Hubbard’s earliest professional gigs were with guitarist Wes Montgomery and his brothers before he moved to New York in 1958, working with Eric Dolphy, Sonny Rollins, Quincy Jones and many others. He recorded with John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman and on Oliver Nelson’s Blues And The Abstract Truth album.

In 1961, he joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers for three years and recorded as a leader for Blue Note. His albums for the label include Breaking Point, Goin’ Up and Hub-Tones, and he appeared as a sideman on a number of important Blue Note dates, including Herbie Hancock’s Maiden Voyage and Empyrean Isles. After stints with Atlantic and Impulse! records, Hubbard worked with producer Creed Taylor in 1970 and recorded a number of accessible and noteworthy jazz-fusion classics including Red Clay, Straight Life, Sky Dive and First Light. In the mid ’70s, Hubbard signed with Columbia and recorded and toured with VSOP: a Miles Davis reunion combo featuring Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Wayne Shorter and Tony Williams.

JAZZ ALLEY: Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band

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

NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Quintet

LA SPIGA: Monarch Duo

TOST: Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder

This week on Jazz Northwest will feature selections from the Sacred Music of Duke Ellington with James Cadell, Dee Daniels and the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, and a selection of some favorite CDs from 2008 by jazz artists from BC, Washington and Oregon.

This year-end special on Jazz Northwest airs Sunday, December 28 at 1 pm PST on 88-5, KPLU and is streamed to the internet at www.kplu.org . The program is produced by Jim Wilke exclusively for KPLU, and is also available as a podcast after the airdate.

JAZZ ALLEY: David Benoit

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM:
Sunday Night Salsa: Tor Dietrichson and Mambo Cadillac

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
3pm- Fairly Honest Jazz Band
8pm- Sarah Slonim Quartet

SERAFINA:
11am-1:30pm Jazz Brunch: Conlin Roser / Cynthia Mullis Duo
6:30-9pm: The Piper Olsen Duo

LA SPIGA: Fred Hoadley Duo

TRACTOR TAVERN: VARMINT
feat. Robin Holcomb, Tim Young, Wayne Horvitz, Jon Hyde, Andy Roth, Keith Lowe, Arni Adler, Nova Devonie & special guests

Drop us a line and let us know what else is happening tonight!

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Kelley Johnson Quartet

JAZZ ALLEY: David Benoit Trio

HOLIDAY CONCERT:
Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra: Sacred Music by Duke Ellington
First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, 1717 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue; 7:30pm
206-547-6763, 800-838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com.

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Tor Dietrichson & Blues Machine

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Chad McCullough Group, with Chad McCullough (trumpet), Nathan Eklund (trumpet), Matt Jorgensen (drums), Paul Gabrielson (bass), Dan Kramlich (piano)
9pm – Finn Hill Jazz with Kay Bailey
11pm – Jim Knodle and the Distract Band, with Mike Dodge, Mike Owcharuk, Don Berman, and Nate Omdal, and very special guests

PAMPAS ROOM: Brian Nova Quartet

BAKE’S PLACE: Jovino Santos Neto Quarteto

SERAFINA: Voodoo Trio

GRAZIE: James Burnhard Blues Fusion

SORRENTO HOTEL: Katy Bourne Trio

From The Seattle Times …

Christmas may be over, but holiday jazz is going strong.

A particular treat for Seattle jazz fans is “Sacred Music by Duke Ellington,” the annual presentation of the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra. Michael Brockman, SRJO co-director, saxophonist and Ellington scholar, says, “We look forward to the performance every year; we don’t get tired of it. Because it’s so universally inclusive of all faiths, it makes you think about your own faith which is ultimately the point of this time of year.” Read the complete earlier interview with Brockman online at www.seattletimes.com/musicnightlife.

Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra performs “Sacred Music by Duke Ellington” at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, 1717 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue; $24-$28 (206-547-6763, 800-838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com).

Also on the jazz calendar is the David Benoit Trio, which will reopen tonight Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley (closed for the past few days due to weather). The trio plays “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle; $24.50 (206-441-9729 or www.jazzalley.com).

Are we done with the snow yet? Most venues should back to normal, but it is always wise to call ahead just to be sure.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jay Thomas Quartet

JAZZ ALLEY: David Benoit Trio

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM:
5:00pm: James Baumgart / Jason Parker Duo
9:00pm: Pocket Change

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Ben Roseth Group, with Ben Roseth (saxophone), Sean Hutchinson (drums), Drew Pierson (piano) and David Dawda (bass)
9pm – SisterMonk, with Jody Rubel, Kathy Deane and Fedis Grey – “From tangy funk to deep bottomed Latin grooves, from Middle-eastern trance to rock and soul, SisterMonk remains one of the hottest emerging Rock-fusion acts today.”
11pm – TBA

PAMPAS ROOM: Brian Nova Quartet

LATONA PUB: Hadley Caliman, Phil Sparks and Matt Jorgensen (5 – 7pm)

SERAFINA: Fred Hoadley Trio

GRAZIE: Micheal Matthews

HIROSHI’S JAZZ AND SUSHI: Mordy Ferber and New Friends
Mordy Ferber – guitar; Chris Symer – bass; Greg Williamson – drums
Mordy Ferber plays with the likes of Michael Brecker, Jack DeJohnette, Eddie Gomez, Peter Erskine, Bob Mintzer, Dave Liebman, etc… He is a professor at NYU and The New School. He is a heavy, heavy, heavy player – and a nice guy stopping by to make new friends. More bio info below.
2501 Eastlake Avenue East, Seattle, WA
reservations recommended
ph: (206)726-4966