Saturday Jazz

February 16, 2008 / / No Comments

Our recommendations for the Portland Jazz Festival:

HOTEL DE LUXE: Ben Darwish

EMBASSY SUITES: Brent Jensen with Bill Anschell and John Bishop

NEWMARK THEATER: Classical Jazz Quartet

WINNINGSTAD: Tim Berne

for more information:
http://pdxjazz.com/festival/sch.php?#schedule

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SEATTLE …

BAKE’S PLACE: Rebecca Parris

JAZZ ALLEY: Mindi Abair

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jay Thomas Quartet

LA SPIGA: Greta Matassa

HENDRIX LOUNGE: Big Neighborhood

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Pocket Change

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Michael Cosgrove – CD Release Party!
9pm – John Young solo show
11pm – Jessica Lurie Ensemble – ISHKABIBBLE, with Jim Knodle (trumpet), Jessica Lurie (saxophone), PK (Paul Kemmish) (bass), John Ewing (drums), Chris Stover (trombone) plus special guests!

SERAFINA: Sue Nixon, jazz trio

GRAZIE: Quiet Fire

SORRENTO HOTEL: Gail Pettis

Friday Jazz

February 15, 2008 / / No Comments

A big weekend of jazz … what are your plans?

PORTLAND JAZZ FESTIVAL: A ton of music beginning tonight including a concert by Ornette Coleman, Myra Melford and the SF Jazz Collective … but there are a bunch of great NW jazz groups to check out.

EMBASSY SUITES: Matt Jorgensen +451 with special guests Upper Left Trio

SALTY’S: Mel Brown

WILF’S: Andre St. James

ART BAR: John Stowell & Dan Gaynor

HOTEL DE LUXE: Drew Shoals

for a complete schedule:
http://pdxjazz.com/festival/sch.php?#schedule

***************

JAZZ ALLEY: Mindi Abair

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: James Baumgart Duo (5:30 – 7:30pm)

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Hadley Caliman Quintet w/ Rob Scheps

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Karin Blaine – Love and Other Considerations post-Valentine show
9pm – Muse Pagoda – funkalicious grooves
11pm – Tena DuBerry – jazz/R&B/funk sensation, with Eugene Bien (piano), Dean Schmidt (bass) and Ronnie Bishop (drums)

BAKE’S PLACE: Rebecca Parris

SERAFINA: Kiko de Freitas, Brazilian duo

LA SPIGA: Greta Matassa

BERKSHIRE GRILL: Fred Hoadley Trio

GRAZIE: Haley Blackwell-Olsby

HIROSHI’S JAZZ AND SUSHI: Pete Petersen & Travis Ranney

Seattle artists at PDX Jazz

February 15, 2008 / / No Comments

The Portland Jazz Festival kicks off this weekend and will feature a couple of bands from Seattle.

Origin Records Presents:

FRIDAY, FEB 15, 9:00pm
MATT JORGENSEN +451
with special guests Upper Left Trio

SATURDAY, FEB 16, 9:00pm
BRENT JENSEN with Bill Anschell, Dennis Caiazza and John Bishop

THE EMBASSY SUITES
319 SW Pine Street
Portland, OR 97204

This is a free show presented by Origin Records … see you at the show!

Seattle Times: Roberta Gambarini at Jazz Alley

February 15, 2008 / / No Comments

from Paul de Barros’ Friday column:

At the Umbria Jazz Festival two summers ago, in Italy, the great pianist Hank Jones strolled into the lobby of the illustrious Brufani Hotel one afternoon.

“You know,” said the piano master, now 89. “I’ve worked with a lot of singers over the years. But Roberta Gambarini is the best since Ella Fitzgerald.”

Excuse me?

“Yes,” he said. “Absolutely.”

Click here to read the entire article.

Up-Coming: Jack Gold-Molina at Sureshot

February 15, 2008 / / No Comments

The Jack Gold-Molina Group
Featuring Chris Pugh – guitar, Michael Monhart – saxophone, Paul Kemmish – bass, Jack Gold-Molina – drums

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24 – SURESHOT
4505 University Way NE
(NE 45th Street and University Way NE in the University District)
2:00-4:00 PM
No Cover, All Ages

Come and join the Jack Gold-Molina Group for an afternoon of intense, hard hitting free jazz. If you want to see and hear real quality creative music, ground breaking free improvisation that burns, we will have it for you as part of Sureshot’s ongoing Sunday afternoon live music series. The music goes from 2:00-4:00 PM, it is all ages, and there is no cover charge. The recently released CD by Chris Pugh and Jack Gold-Molina, “Penumbra/Heqat”, has been receiving international acclaim, and there will be copies on sale for $10 at the venue.

Midge Lanphere

February 14, 2008 / / No Comments

Word has come that Midge Lanphere, wife of the late saxophonist Don Lanphere, passed away on Wednesday, February 13, at her home in Wenatchee.

No details yet on a memorial service but we will post details as they come in.

Valentine’s Day Jazz

February 14, 2008 / / No Comments

Lots of music to take that special someone to.

Boston vocalist Rebecca Parris will be beginning a three night run at Bake’s Place in Issaquah with Randy Halberstadt on piano, Gary Hobbs on bass and Jeff Johnson (having just returned from Texas) on bass.
Call 425-391-3335 for reservations.

EARSHOT ART OF JAZZ: “My Funny Valentine”
Vocalists Katy Bourne, Gail Pettis and Beth Winter with Randy Halberstadt on piano and Job Hamar on bass.
Seattle Art Museum, 1300 First Ave., Seattle, WA 98108, 206-654-3137, 5:30pm

Jazz Alley is hosting smooth jazz saxophonist Mindi Abair for a four-night run beginning on Valentine’s Day.
Call 206-441-9729 for more information.

The Triple Door is featuring Jim Kerl’s Swing Session performing the music from Frank Sinatra and the Count Basie Orchestra “Live At The Sands”. Last Valentine’s Day this show sold out so if you are planning on attending get your reservations now.
Call 206-838-4333 for reservations.

Vocalist and jazz flutist Andrienne Wilson and her quartet will be performing at Tula’s Jazz Club. Look for Wilson to perform a number of her excellent original compositions and her backing group is always top notch.
Call 206-443-4221 for reservations.

Serafina on Eastlake will be featuring a performance by The Karyn Schwartz Trio.
Call 206-323-0807 for reservations.

If you are looking for a deal, check out the intimate Egan’s in Ballard with their 9:00 show, Eleanor Fye’s “Fool for Love.” Couples get in for only $10.
Email [email protected] for more information.

As always, The Ham Carson Quintet will be performing at The New Orleans.

Anything we’ve missed? Post a COMMENT and we’ll add it to the list.

Thomas Marriott CD Review

February 14, 2008 / / No Comments

Trumpeter Thomas Marriott will celebrate the release of his new CD, Crazy: The Music of Willie Nelson, on Wednesday, February 27th at the Triple Door.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 7:30pm
THOMAS MARRIOTT, CRAZY: THE MUSIC OF WILLIE NELSON

THE TRIPLE DOOR MAINSTAGE
216 Union Street
Seattle, WA
206-838-4333

Tickets: $15
This is an All Ages Show

featuring:
Thomas Marriott – trumpet
Mark Taylor – saxophones
Ryan Burns – keyboards
Geoff Harper – bass
Matt Jorgensen – drums

And the reviews keep coming in for the disc. Look for a review in the May issue of JazzTimes in addition to the one just published at All About Jazz.com:

The disc closes with “On the Road Again,” probably Nelson’s most familiar melody. Marriott and company change the original’s quiet country charm into an expansive, lush, electric wash of sound that seems as if it could have been issued from the underbelly of an alien spacecraft that has picked up an errant Willie broadcast out in space, and is now hovering in a starry sky, broadcasting its otherworldly renditions down to an awe-struck earthly crowd.

Click here to visit Thomas on the web.

Kelley Johnson on Tour

February 13, 2008 / / No Comments

Kelley Johnson is currently on her Jazz Ambassador Tour through Central America. She has been posting some updates to her blog:

We are performing and teaching this time as part of Danilo Perez’ Panama Jazz Festival and that makes the first leg of our ambassadorship different than anything we’ve done before. This has to be the biggest, most organized grass roots jazz festival of all time. The last few days has been pure pleasure and ease and it’s been wonderful being involved.

You can follow the details of the tour by clicking here.

Wednesday: What’s happening tonight?

February 13, 2008 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: BCC Jazz Orchestra w/ Hal Sherman

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio

THE NEW ORLEANS: The Legend Band w/ Clarence Acox

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

SERAFINA: Jerry Frank, solo jazz piano

WHISKEY BAR: Eric Verlinde & Friends

VICTORY LOUNGE: Joe Doria Trio

JAZZ ALLEY: Eliane Elias with Marc Johnson and Adam Nussbaum

Tuesday Jazz

February 12, 2008 / / No Comments

JAZZ ALLEY: Eliane Elias with Marc Johnson and Adam Nussbaum

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Emerald City Jazz Orchestra

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: N.O.Net, Nate Omdal Nonet, with Brian Bermudez (alto sax), Mike Dodge (tenor sax), Andrew Morrill (bari sax), Corey Dansereau (trumpet), Jason Parker (flugelhorn), Andy Clausen (trombone), Mike Owcharuk (piano), Dave Bush (drums), Nate Omdal (arranger, bass)

SERAFINA: Josh Hickman, solo guitar

UGLY MUG COFFEEHOUSE: Norm Bellas & Bob Antolin
11425 Rainier Ave S, 772-3151

Eliane Elias at Jazz Alley with Marc Johnson and Adam Nussbaum

February 12, 2008 / / No Comments

The Pacific Jazz Institute and Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley present for two nights only, Brazilian vocalist /pianist Eliane Elias, touring in support of her latest release Something For You: Eliane Elias Sings and Plays Bill Evans. Band members include Marc Johnson (bass) and Adam Nussbaum (drums). Set times Tuesday and Wednesday are at 7:30PM. Doors open at 6pm on Tuesday and 5:30pm on Wednesday.

It takes a rare artist to make a statement through music that extends his or her legacy through the act of paying tribute to someone else. Eliane Elias is one of the few who can pull off this contradictory tour de force. Throughout Something for You: Eliane Elias Sings and Plays Bill Evans, her latest album and the first to mark her return to the Blue Note Records family, she does exactly that. While touching the essence of the late great Bill Evans, she also brings her own unique gifts to the surface, as a composer, interpreter, outstanding instrumentalist and beguiling vocalist as well.

Every moment of Something for You radiates the sound that Elias had begun developing back in her home country of Brazil as a child, based on her unique juxtapositions of elegant phrasing, adventurous harmony and breezy swing, each element complementing the others. In this sense, this album will be no surprise to those who have learned to expect excellence from Elias as a matter of course.

With many awards under her belt including a Grammy Nomination, Ms. Elias was featured in the Thelonious Monk Institute’s televised Second Annual “Celebration of America’s Music” at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra, the JVC Festival with Sting, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, and Caetano Veloso at Lincoln Center in New York, the televised Piano Grand , and a Gala celebration for the 300th Anniversary of the piano in Washington DC, just to name a few.

Monday Jazz

February 11, 2008 / / No Comments

Here is what’s happening tonight:

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jazz Jam w/ Darin Clendenin Trio

NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Quintet

SERAFINA: The Piper Olson Duo

LA SPIGA: Ray Baldwin & Sam Chambliss

Herbie Hancock wins top Grammy award

February 11, 2008 / / No Comments

If you thought the New York Giants winning the Super Bowl was a major upset, imagine the shock when a jazz musician won the top Grammy award for Album Of The Year!

From the AP:

In a major shocker, Winehouse lost the final award of the night, album of the year, to Herbie Hancock’s “River: The Joni Letters.”

“You know it’s been 43 years since the first and only time that a jazz artist got the album of the year award,” Hancock said.

“I’d like to thank the Academy for courageously breaking the mold this time. In doing so, honoring the giants upon whose shoulders I stand, some of whom like Miles Davis, John Coltrane … unquestionably, deserved the award in the past. But this is a new day, that proves that the impossible can be made possible.”

Ben Thomas and Tangabrazo at Bake’s Place

February 7, 2008 / / No Comments

Bake’s Place regular Ben Thomas (vibes/bandoneon) brings a special new project for a night of tango music. Joining Ben will be Eric Rynes (violin), Jerrod Wendland (piano) and Jeff Norwood (bass). They have been playing milongas for dancers in dance halls throughout Washington, but will have a change of venue by playing at Bakes’ Place in Issaquah. Come join them and Craig and Laura Baker for a night of tangos, waltzes, milongas and great food.

Saturday February 9, 2008
Ben Thomas and Tangabrazo!

Bake’s Place at Providence Point
4135 Providence Point Dr. SE
Issaquah, WA 98029
phone: 425-391-3335
http://bakesplace.org

Details:
Dinner Time: 7:00 – 8:00pm
Performance Time: 8:00 – 10:30pm
Dinner and show price: $49.50 (3 course; includes dinner salad, entree and gourmet dessert)
Show Price: $22.00

Thursday Jazz

February 7, 2008 / / No Comments

JAZZ ALLEY: Chris Botti

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Beth Winter / Dawn Clement Quartet

THE TRIPLE DOOR:
MAINSTAGE: Jessica Williams with special guest Aiko Shimada
MUSICQUARIUM: Concept Trio

NEW ORLEANS: The Ham Carson Quintet

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Cuong Vu Trio
Sets at 7:00 and 9:00pm. Reserved seating is full for both these shows. Any additional seats are available on a first-come first-served basis.

SERAFINA: Graham Banfield, solo guitar

THAIKU: Tad Britton Trio

GALLERY 1412: Emperor Norton’s Cabal; McDowell – Norman

ASTEROID CAFE: Tim Kennedy Trio Jam Session

UW CONCERT: Mallet Head Series: Tom Coller, Marc Seales, Dan Dean
Brechemin Auditorium, UW Campus, 7:30

Review: Cuong Vu Trio with Bill Frisell, Meany Theater

February 7, 2008 / / No Comments

By Bill Barton

REVIEW: CUONG VU TRIO WITH BILL FRISELL
MEANY THEATER, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
FEBRUARY 6, 2008

I just returned from hearing the Cuong Vu Trio with special guest Bill Frisell at the University of Washington’s Meany Theater. This was a great show, one long set. Frisell did some of the best playing I’ve ever heard from him live. Strangely enough I’ve always enjoyed him more playing with other people’s groups than with his own. As I sort of expected he was delving into the louder, rockier side of his playing personality for the most part.

Vu’s trumpet and electronics never fail to create some varied soundscapes, ranging from the atmospheric and ambiant to the downright raucous. He is a real master at using looping in live performance. At one point he built up a beautifully meshed series of interlocking loops (I counted either 13 or 14 layers) that practically lifted me out of my seat: one hell of a big band for a quartet! His pure acoustic sound is gorgeous too and he can play in the high register with amazing control at very, very low decibel levels as well as anyone I’ve heard.

Then there’s the maniacal Stomu Takeishi on electric bass… The guy’s a wild man. Vu, Takeishi and Frisell had lots of the latest and greatest digital toys to play with, twisting dials, pushing pedals, adjusting this, tweaking that, but for me the highlight of Takeishi’s playing came when he was using what looked like a plain old tin can as a slide on his bass and standing in front of his amplifier’s speaker to obtain controlled feedback. Awesome set!

Be sure to hear “Accelerated Thoughts” from the new artistShare CD Vu-Tet; they played a fine version of this twisting, turning, hyper-fast almost-bebop tune tonight. The Vu-Tet disc is exceptional. Check it out.

Jessica Williams at The Triple Door

February 6, 2008 / / No Comments

JESSICA WILLIAMS: REDEFINED
w/Special Guest Aiko Shimada

THURSDAY, FEB 7th, 7:30pm
THE TRIPLE DOOR
216 Union Street
Seattle, WA
Tickets and Info: 206-838-4333

This evening, tradition meets innovation, as the great pianist, Jessica Williams embraces 21st Century America with new music, controversial ideas, and a powerful message for our times.

Playing piano since she was four, she grew up to be a world-famous, critically acclaimed pianist. Now, she forges a new vision and a new direction for her far-reaching creative gifts. Part concert, part talk-show, and part journey of self-discovery for her AND her audiences.

Jessica Williams:REDEFINED is more than a show: it’s a musical miracle, a life-changing experience, a constantly-evolving glimpse into the mind and life of one of today’s most important musical innovators and radical thinkers. Jessica Williams, piano, technologies, opinions, and inspiration.

Jessica describes her latest musical evolution as “changing my whole business model, working with synthesizers, using classical song forms.”

See the reinvented piano virtuoso Jessica Williams, up close and personal!

Wednesday Jazz

February 6, 2008 / / No Comments

Lots of stuff happening tonight:

MEANY THEATER: Cuong Vu Trio with special guest Bill Frisell
University of Washington Campus, 7:30pm

GALLERY 1412: More Zero featuring Chris Stover

JAZZ ALLEY: Chris Botti
All shows are full except Wednesday and Thursday 9:30pm shows. Please call for assistance 206-441-9729.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Rochelle House Quartet

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio

NEW ORLEANS: The Legend Band featuring Clarence Acox

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
6pm – BMG Trio, with Brendan O’Donnell (guitar), Mack Grout (piano), and Greg Larson (trombone)
8pm – Vocal Jam with Carrie Wicks

TUTTA BELLA: Michael Gotz

SERAFINA: Passarim, bossa nova

WHISKEY BAR: Eric Verlinde & Friends

VICTORY LOUNGE: Joe Doria Trio

Saxophonist Andrew D’Angelo In The Hospital Awaiting Sugery

February 5, 2008 / / No Comments

On Friday, January 25, saxophonist and Seattle-native Andrew D’Angelo suffered a major seizure while driving in Brooklyn, NY. Tests in the hospital revealed a large tumor in his brain. Andrew will undergo brain surgery at some point in the next few weeks. At this time, it is believed that the tumor is not cancerous, but this will not be confirmed until a biopsy is performed.

Like many musicians, Andrew has no health insurance and needs help to cover the massive medical expenses. You can help out by contributing online through his website.

Andrew has also posted a blog so people can follow his progress.