Wednesday Jazz

May 14, 2008 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Hal Sherman & the BCC Jazz Orchestra

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio

JAZZ ALLEY: Bucky Pizzarelli Trio

NECTAR: Earshot Jazz Presents: Ben Allison and Man Size Safe
412 N 36th St, Seattle, WA, 8:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: Legend Band with Clarence Acox

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
6pm – Oghale and Marti MacEwan
8pm – Vocal jazz jam session with Carrie Wicks and the Bruce Barnard Trio

BELLEVUE DOWNTOWN SERIES: Greta Matassa
Civica Office Commons, 205 108th Ave NE, Bellevue, 5:00pm

WHISKEY BAR: Ronnie Pierce

GALLERY 1412: Jim DeJoie Group, More Zero featuring Chris Stover

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: PGM Trio

Monday: Kelly Harland at Jazz Alley **corrected

May 13, 2008 / / No Comments

Jazz Alley Presents:
Kelly Harland featuring Bill Mays and Chuck Deardorf

May 19, 2008
$20.50

JAZZ ALLEY
2033 6th Avenue
Seattle WA 98121
Reservations: 206.441.9729

The Pacific Jazz Institute at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley presents vocalist Kelly Harland for one night only, celebrating the release of her latest CD Long Ago and Far Away: Kelly Harland Sings Jerome Kern. Band members are Bill Mays (piano) and Chuck Deardorf (bass). Set time on Monday is 7:30pm, doors open at 6:00pm.

With the release of her new CD Long Ago and Far Away: Kelly Harland Sings Jerome Kern, Origin recording artist Kelly Harland teams up with renowned pianist Bill Mays and bassist Chuck Deardorf to celebrate one of the great composers of the American Songbook. From “All the Things You Are” to “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”, Kelly and her stellar band bring a gorgeous new sound to the great vintage melodies of Kern.

As one of the top studio and background vocalists in Seattle for many years, Kelly made a name for herself in the Northwest playing behind such acts as Ray Charles and Etta James. She toured with various bands and became a seasoned studio singer, contributing to many national albums and singing on hundreds of commercials, as well as recording her own material for major labels Epic and A&M. Kelly then embarked on a solo career of interpreting standards, performing live and in the studio with jazz luminaries James Williams, Don Lanphere, and others. Her two previous CDs, produced by Chuck Deardorf, have garnered airplay and glowing reviews around the world.

Tuesday Jazz

May 13, 2008 / / No Comments

EASTSIDE JAZZ CLUB: Jay Thomas Sextet
Sherman and Clay, 1000 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue, Wa. 98004
7:30pm, (425) 454-0633

JAZZ ALLEY: Bucky Pizzarelli Trio

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Emerald City Jazz Orchestra

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Nate Omdal Nonet, with Jacob Stickney (alto sax), Mike Dodge (tenor sax), Andrew Morrill (bari sax), Corey Dansereau (trumpet), Jason Parker (flugelhorn), Andy Clausen (trombone), Mike Owcharuk (piano), Jim Parsons (drums), and Nate Omdal (arranger/bass)
9pm – Free Jazz Jam Session hosted by the Trio Concept, with Chris Icasiano (drums), Luke Bergman (bass), and Neil Welch (saxophones)

DEXTER AND HAYES: Tim Kennedy Trio

OWL ‘N THISTLE: Jam Session

Earshot Presents: Ben Allison at Nectar

May 12, 2008 / / No Comments

Wednesday, May 14
Ben Allison and Man Size Safe

Ben Allison, bass
Steve Cardenas, guitar
Ron Horton, trumpet
Michael Blake, saxophones
Michael Sarin, drums

NECTAR LOUNGE
412 N 36th St, Seattle, WA
Doors at 8:00; Show at 8:30.
http://www.earshot.org

Man Size Safe, Ben’s latest group, pushes the boundaries once again — this time with a cinematic, rock-meets-Americana sound. The band mixes joyous exuberance and good-humored irreverence with textured grooves and an occasional political jab.

Monday Jazz

May 11, 2008 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jazz Jam with the Darin Clendenin Trio

THE NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Quintet

LA SPIGA: Ray Baldwin

Pianist Charlie Peacock visits Seattle

May 11, 2008 / / No Comments

Grammy Award-winning record producer and artist Charlie Peacock will perform in Seattle on May 17th to benefit the Artist Life Guild. Appearing with Peacock is 19 year-old mandolin virtuoso Eva Scow. Seattle uber- drummer Matt Jorgensen will also be featured.

Peacock will perform music from his two jazz albums as well as vocal songs selected from his significant pop and singer-songwriter catalog. Peacock’s newest jazz album ARC OF THE CIRCLE, a collaboration with Flecktone’s saxophonist Jeff Coffin, is charting at #3 on the CMJ Jazz chart.

May 17th at 8:00PM, doors at 7:30
All Ages Show — Tickets $12
Fremont Abbey Arts Center
4272 Fremont Ave. North
Seattle, WA 98103

allaboutjazz.com/charliepeacock
fremontabbey.org

Saturday Jazz

May 9, 2008 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jovino Santos Neto
CD RELEASE: “Alma do Nordeste” (Soul of the Northeast)

JAZZ ALLEY: The Rippingtons

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Das Vibenbass

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Manghis Khan, with Yaw Amponsah (West African Ashanti drums and djembe), Tony Grasso (trumpet), Viren Kamdar (cajon, congas) and Marc Miller (bass) – African and Carribean percussion, Trumpet and Bass
9pm – Tom Boros – singer/songwriter
11pm – Decateur Buff – Indie/folk/rock originals with John Wies (guitar), Gary Seigel (bass) and Mike Young (drums)

BAKE’S PLACE: Nancy Kelly

HENDRIX LOUNGE: Chris Fagan Group

SERAFINA: Jazzukha

GRAZIE: Andre Thomas Quiet Fire

EL DIABLO COFFEE: Rik Wright Trio
1811 Queen Anne Ave N, 8pm

Review: Jeremy Jones at The Triple Door

May 9, 2008 / / No Comments

by Jason Parker

JEREMY JONES XTET
THE TRIPLE DOOR
MAY 1, 2008

It was an evening of passion, energy and beautiful music last night at The Triple Door in Seattle. More than 200 music lovers gathered to celebrate the release of Awakening to Life, the new CD by The Jeremy Jones Xtet on Broken Time Records. J&J Music, Broken Time and Jeremy have been planning this show for months now, and when the night finally arrived everyone was ready to celebrate and lay down the positive vibes.

The night began with an opening set by another group with a forthcoming CD on Broken Time, The Josh Rawlings Trio. (In the interest of full discloser, it should be noted that Josh Rawlings is one of the “J’s” in J&J Music.) Josh on piano, bassist Nate Omdal and drummer D’Vonne Lewis played masterfully on four of Josh’s original compositions, including the Abdullah Ibrahim-inspired title track “Climbing Stairs.” The song’s performance included rainforest sounds courtesy of Josh and the audience. The chemistry between Rawlings and longtime bassist Nate Omdal was clear throughout the night, as the two young masters weaved their lines in and around each other in creative and exciting ways, all the while never stepping on each others’ toes. D’vonne Lewis (subbing for regular drummer Adam Kessler) brought the house down with his powerful solos and superb comping, all-the-while pushing and propelling the trio to thrilling heights. I’ve had the pleasure of hearing the CD from start to finish and I know you’re going to dig the record and Josh’s compositions. Stay tuned for news of the release date.

After a short break came the Jeremy Jones Xtet, starting with Jeremy alone on stage, laying down the beat to his composition “Flowin’.” Jeremy was joined one at a time by his killin’ band: Phil Sparks on bass, John Hansen on piano, Steve Treseler on tenor and Thomas Marriott on trumpet and flugelhorn. By the time the whole band was finally assembled and blowing, the energy flowin’ from the stage was palpable, and while the horns were out front and each member of the band was playing at an extremely high level, it was clear that this band belonged to the drummer.

Jeremy led the group through eight of his original tunes from the new CD with smiles, swing and some well placed bombs, switching all the while from sticks to brushes to mallets to bells and back again. He played every part of his kit; rims, heads, cymbals and stands. He marked the sections of his tunes with press-rolls, tom hits and stop-time. As the night wore on, Jeremy’s shining spirit emanated from the stage, filling the room with joy and washing over everyone in attendance with a contagious warmth. Read More

Friday Jazz

May 9, 2008 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Tim Armacost / Chris Fagan Quintet

JAZZ ALLEY: The Rippingtons

TRIPLE DOOR MAINSTAGE: Cherry Poppin’ Daddies

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM:
5:30pm: Tor Dietrichson/Leif Totusek Happy Hour Duo
9:00pm: Tor Dietrichson Blues Machine

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Kathleen Donnelly (vocals) with Darin Clendenin (piano), Jon Hamar (bass) and Steve Korn (drums) Note: reserved seating is full for this show.
9pm – Andrew McKnight and Sean Kelly – Acoustic/folk/indie from Virginia-based environmental engineer-turned-songwriter

SERAFINA: The Djangomatics

HIROSHI’S: Jazz and Sushi

This Weekend at Bake’s Place

May 9, 2008 / / No Comments

Bake’s Place Visiting Songbird Series continues this weekend with vocalist Nancy Kelly.

FRI-SAT, MAY 8-9
BAKE’S PLACE
4135 Providence Point Dr. SE
Issaquah, WA 98029
phone: 425-391-3335
http://bakesplace.org

Nancy Kelly’s refined vocal style is a study in phrasing, style and the ability to swing. Kelly’s powerful singing has captured many awards and the ears of many jazz fans around the globe. Kelly’s refined stage presence, style, and the ability to quickly capture the emotions of her audience isn’t the only thing that places Nancy in a league of her own–the lady was “Born to Swing”, and she means business Starting at age four in her hometown of Rochester, New York, Nancy studied piano, clarinet, drama and dance with private instructors, and voice at the Eastman School of Music.

Nancy’s live performances are legendary. During her thirty-plus year career she has honed her trademark swing/bop take no prisoners style in front of audiences across the U.S. and abroad–from Singapore to Switzerland, France, Turkey to her 3 tours of Japan.

Nancy appears regularly in New York City including performances at The Blue Note, Birdland and The Rainbow Room and Dizzy’s Jazz club, Lincoln Center. She works frequently in Los Angeles and Miami, as well as countless jazz clubs, festivals, and symphony orchestra engagements across the country.

Thursday Jazz

May 8, 2008 / / No Comments

SEATTLE ART MUSEUM: Kendra Shank Quartet
Seattle Art Museum Downtown
1300 First Avenue, Seattle
Free with museum admission.
Click here to read our preview of this show.

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Patty Padden and Chang-ka-dank, with Dan O’Brien (bass) and Eric Verlinde (piano)
9pm – Eleanor Fye, solo piano/vocalist

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Trombonasaurus Wrecks

NEW ORLEANS: The Ham Carson Quintet

JAZZ ALLEY: The Rippingtons

THAIKU: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson, Tad Britton

Wednesday Jazz

May 7, 2008 / / No Comments

JAZZ ALLEY: Rachael Price

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Rochelle House Quartet

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio

TRIPLE DOOR MAINSTAGE: MARCO BENEVENTO, MATT CHAMBERLAIN, REED MATHIS: “Invisible Baby” CD Release Show w/opener SKERIK

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Tarik Abouzied Quartet

NEW ORLEANS: The Legend Band w/ Clarence Acox

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
6pm – MJ Bishop, “Folk-a-Licious Music ala k.d. lang” – MJ Bishop performs her folk/country/Americana music in an acoustic set with Paula Walters (bass), Bob Knetzger (dobro, pedal steel, banjo), Paul Elliot (fiddle) and Nancy K. Dillon (vocals)
8pm – Vocal jazz jam session with Carrie Wicks and the Dan Sales Trio

BELLEVUE DOWNTOWN SERIES: Ben Thomas
KeyCenter, 601 108th Ave NE, Bellevue, 5:00pm, Free

Rochelle House at Tula’s Wednesday Night

May 6, 2008 / / No Comments

Vocalist Rochelle House will be performing Wednesday night at Tula’s Jazz Club with an all-star band featuring Dawn Clement on piano, Evan Flory-Barnes on bass and D’Vonne Lewis on drums.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB
2214 2nd Ave
Seattle,WA
8:00pm
http://tulas.com

Reservations: 206-443-4221

Tuesday Jazz

May 6, 2008 / / No Comments

JAZZ ALLEY: Rachael Price

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jay Thomas Big Band

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Student Drum Night, Ed Hartman’s Drum Exchange (6:30pm)

OWL ‘N THISTLE: Jam Session

DEXTER & HAYES: Tim Kennedy Trio

Tonight: Dawn Clement CD Release Party

May 5, 2008 / / No Comments

Pianist Dawn Clement will celebrate the release of her new CD, Break, tonight at Tula’s Jazz Club.

MONDAY, MAY 5 – TULA’S JAZZ CLUB
2214 2nd Ave, Seattle
8:30pm, $10

Dawn Clement – piano
Dean Johnson – bass
Matt Jorgensen – drums

Seattle-based pianist Dawn Clement’s highly regarded musicianship is in fine form on her second recording as a leader. Combining with the New York rhythm section of drummer Matt Wilson and bassist Dean Johnson, the trio explores personal interpretations of time-tested standards such as “All of Me,” and “Sweet and Lovely,” originals by Clement, and nods to her musical mentors with trombonist Julian Priester’s “First Nature,” and Denny Goodhew’s “Distant Oasis.” Wilson and Johnson add their highly unique voices to a session of adventurousness, swing and spontaneity.

Click here to read more about Dawn’s new CD on Origin Records.

Monday Jazz

May 5, 2008 / / No Comments

The sun is out … enjoy the day and then go hear some live music tonight!

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Dawn Clement CD Release Party (8:00pm)

SEATTLE DRUM SCHOOL: Jim Knapp Orchestra
12510 15th Ave NE, Seattle, 8:00pm

THE NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Quintet

GALLERY 1412: Greg Campbell, Christian Asplund, Jesse Canterbury

This Thursday: Kendra Shank at SAM

May 5, 2008 / / No Comments

Earshot Jazz presents former Seattle, now New York resident, Kendra Shank and her New York Quartet at the Seattle Art Museum on Thursday, May 8th at 5:30pm.

Seattle Art Museum Downtown
1300 First Avenue, Seattle
Free with museum admission.
http://earshot.org/Events/Art_of_Jazz.html

The following is a review from a recent performance at Flushing Town Hall.

REVIEW: KENDRA SHANK AT FLUSHING TOWN HALL
Queens, New York, April 4, 2008

By Andrew Freund

Welcome to Flushing Town Hall, a surprising two-story Victorian structure dating to the mid-19th Century, well before a few separate regions coalesced into one mammoth New York City. We are in famously heterogeneous, residential northern Queens, and the institution is an anomaly in a neighborhood typified by sometimes perplexingly foreign businesses and store signs in various Asian scripts. An open-minded, savvy administration turned the hall into a notable arts center fifteen years ago, drawing significant stars and companies from the worlds of classical, jazz, and international music to an old-fashioned chamber setting far from Manhattan, along the way creating its very own devoted audience.

Tonight, the first floor L-shaped performance space (this place was originally designed for politics, not music) finds Kendra Shank and her musical companions of just under a decade — pianist Frank Kimbrough, bassist Dean Johnson and traps and hand drummer Tony Moreno – in its fulcrum, warmly essaying the knowing, love-saturated vibe of Cole Porter’s All of You. Those of us in a different kind of know are immediately reminded of Kendra’s many musical virtues, her lovely natural instrument (if she were a wine, she would be a merlot), her gracious sense of proportion (no rough edges here), her combination of innate musicality and lightly expressed wisdom. In a word, Kendra is an adult.

Kendra’s latest CD, A Spirit Free, is an homage to the compositions of her friend and mentor, the resplendent vocalist Abbey Lincoln, and tonight’s next song is Abbey’s most performed work, the philosophical Throw it Away (self-help really, redeemed by unforgettable lyrics and music). Kendra has recorded this modern standard on her last two recordings, in very different versions, and here is another variation — again opening with Kendra’s Incantation in the imaginary, African-sounding language she has been developing in recent years, before featuring Tony Moreno playing his drum kit with his hands. The Town Hall audience does not seem to be a jazz crowd (more a membership grouping, maybe), and I suspect most have never heard the song. Yet I am also certain that given Kendra’s nonpareil communicative ability, they have caught every nuance of Lincoln’s boldly idiosyncratic exhortation. Read More