Bad News About IAJE

April 27, 2008 / / No Comments

According to a letter posted on the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) website (www.iaje.org) from board president Chuck Owen, the Board of IAJE has voted to file for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 of the Federal Bankruptcy Law. IAJE as it presently stands will no longer exist–the international offices of IAJE closed their doors at the end of the day on Friday, April 18th.

Sadly, the 2009 IAJE International Conference in Seattle has been cancelled. However, there has been some discussion of mounting a regional conference in its place.

A Kansas bankruptcy court will appoint a trustee to oversee all ongoing aspects of the association. This includes the ability to examine IAJE’s financial records and mount an independent inquiry into the causes of its financial downfall. Since the first communication to the membership outlining IAJE’s financial crisis, there has been considerable public speculation as to its causes.

For more information and to read the complete and official letter, visit http://www.iaje.org/

Sunday Jazz

April 27, 2008 / / No Comments

It’s a good day for eatin’ and listenin’ 

BALLARD JAZZ FESTIVAL:
Swedish Pancake Jazz Brunch w/ Brent Jensen (sax), Bill Anschell (piano), Doug Miller (bass), Greg Williamson (drums). 11am-2pm, Nordic Heritage Museum. More info at: http://ballardjazzfestival.com

JAZZ ALLEY: Billy Cobham

TRIPLE DOOR:
MAINSTAGE: Seattle Symphony at the Triple Door – Serious Quartet II
MUSICQUARIUM: Sunday Night Salsa: Rhythm Syndicate

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
3:00pm: Fairly Honest Big Band
8:00pm: Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra

TUTTA BELLA WALLINGFORD: Casey MacGill’s Blue 4 Trio

SERAFINA:
11am: Jazz Brunch with the Conlin Roser/Cynthia Mullis Duo
6pm: Ann Reynolds/Tobi Stone Duo

LA SPIGA: Gail Pettis

WASABI BISTRO: Brazilian Jazz w/ Marco deCarvalho

Saturday Jazz

April 26, 2008 / / No Comments

BALLARD JAZZ FESTIVAL:
Lee Konitz with the Hal Galper Trio, w/ Hal Galper (piano), Jeff Johnson (bass), John Bishop (drums)
Sam Yahel Trio, w/ Sam Yahel (organ), Mark Taylor (sax), Matt Jorgensen (drums)
Nordic Heritage Museum, 7:30pm. For complete line-up, ticket and venue information, visit http://ballardjazzfestival.com

…and there’s even more great music happening tonight:

EARSHOT JAZZ: Ullman/Swell 4
Gebhard Ullman (sax, flute, bass clarinet), Steve Swell (trombone), Hill Greene (bass), Barry Atschul (drums). Seattle Asian Art Museum 8pm.

JAZZ ALLEY: Billy Cobham

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Das Vibenbass

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Adrienne Wilson Quartet

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Nick Allison Trio featuring Katie Walker
9pm – Susan Carr Ensemble 

BAKE’S PLACE: Greta Matassa and Trish Hatley

TUTTA BELLA: Marco deCarvalho

BERKSHIRE GRILL: Don Mock

GRAZIE: Michael Powers Group

Friday Jazz

April 25, 2008 / / No Comments

BALLARD JAZZ FESTIVAL:
For complete line-up, ticket and venue information, visit http://ballardjazzfestival.com
Ballard Jazz Walk:
15 groups in 12 venues in beautiful downtown Ballard in Seattle, 8:30pm.
Mainstage Concert:
Hadley Caliman Group and the Hal Galper Trio, Nordic Heritage Museum, 7:30pm

In addition to the Ballard Jazz Festival,
there’s even more great music happening tonight:

JAZZ ALLEY: Billy Cobham Spectrum Band

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Gary Shutes Quartet

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM:
5:30pm- James Baumgart Trio
9pm- El Bapa Jason Parker (trumpet), Nathan Spicer (keys), Dave Elvin (drums), and special guests.

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Ballard Jazz Walk  http://ballardjazzfestival.com

SERAFINA: Fred Hoadley Trio

BERKSHIRE GRILL: Milo Peterson

HIROSHI’S: Buddy Catlett International Quartetlette

Seattle Times: It’s a clash of the jazz titans

April 25, 2008 / / No Comments

From The Seattle Times:

The Ballard Jazz Festival climaxes Saturday with a main-stage concert featuring alto saxophone icon Lee Konitz. (See sidebar on page 5 for schedule.)

Unfortunately, Earshot is presenting the equally compelling reed man Gebhard Ullmann in a quartet with trombonist Steve Swell the same night, at the Seattle Asian Art Museum.

If you haven’t had a chance to hear Konitz in concert, then he’s the obvious choice. But if you have, and your tastes run to the wild and woolly, I highly recommend Ullmann.

Continue reading at The Seattle Times.

Thursday Jazz

April 24, 2008 / / No Comments

BALLARD JAZZ FESTIVAL: BROTHERHOOD OF THE DRUM, NIGHT 2
The Sunset Tavern
5433 Ballard Avenue NW
8:00pm, 21+
http://ballardjazzfestival.com

featuring performances by groups led by: Matt Jorgensen, D’Vonne Lewis, Ben Smith.

Lots of other music happening tonight …

THAIKU: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson, Tad Britton

JAZZ ALLEY: Billy Cobham Spectrum Band

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: BlueStreet Jazz Voices

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: PGM Trio

NEW ORLEANS: The Ham Carson Quintet

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Cytosoul, with Birch Pereira (bass), Cynthia Dillard (piano), Art Brown (saxophone) and Adam Gross (drums)
9pm – Flimsy Pretext, with Scott Morning (trumpet), Aaron Otheim (piano), Luke Bergman (bass) and Dave Bush (drums)

Wednesday Jazz

April 23, 2008 / / No Comments

BALLARD JAZZ FESTIVAL: BROTHERHOOD OF THE DRUM, NIGHT 1
The Sunset Tavern
5433 Ballard Avenue NW
8:00pm, 21+
http://ballardjazzfestival.com

featuring performances by groups led by: Michael Shrieve, Byron Vannoy and John Bishop

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Al Keith Octet

JAZZ ALLEY: Oregon

TRIPLE DOOR MAINSTAGE: Marcus Miller w/ special guests DJ Logic & Jean Baylor
TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Leif Totusek (5:00pm); Tarik Abouzied Quartet (9:00pm)

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
6pm – Paul Turner, Australian singer/songwriter on U.S. tour, with Skip vonKuske (cello) [Website] ($5 cover)
8pm – Vocal Jam with guest host Ellen Marx and Steve Marx (bass), Jon Eisen (piano) and Paul Sawyer (guitar)

THE NEW ORLEANS: The Legend Band w/ Clarence Acox

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio

BELLEVUE ART MUSEUM: Pearl Django

Hadley Caliman on KONG TV

April 22, 2008 / / No Comments

Hadley.jpgTune in to KONG TV (Channel 6) on Wednesday morning to see a profile of Hadley Caliman and his upcoming performance at the Ballard Jazz Festival and live performances from Hadley and Thomas Marriott.

Story and interview segments will air at 7:45 and 8:45am. Live performances will be featured throughout the morning.

Click here for more information and buy tickets to Hadley’s performance at the Ballard Jazz Festival.

Tuesday Jazz

April 22, 2008 / / No Comments

JAZZ ALLEY: Oregon

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Beth Winter Vocal Showcase

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – James Baumgart Trio with Devin Lowe (bass), Chris Icasiano (drums) and James Baumgart (guitar)

OWL ‘N THISTLE: Jam Session

Washington Middle School Seeking Music Teacher

April 22, 2008 / / No Comments

Washington Middle School is seeking a full-time instrumental music teacher to direct all aspects of the school’s award-winning concert and jazz band programs. Some classes number 60-80 students, with some instruction taking place after school and during the summer.

Qualified applicants will have: evidence of successful teaching; experience in instrumental music instruction with specific instructional expertise in jazz music; proven track record of successfully motivating students to participate; the ability to engage and empower a large and diverse population of middle school students to achieve excellence in music performance beyond the general expectations held for middle school populations; the capacity to uphold Washington Middle School’s national reputation of musical excellence by participating successfully in local, regional, and national competitions and festivals (arranging for performance scheduling and fees, transportation, travel scholarships, lodging, equipment and sheet music);
the communication and organizational skills to work closely with WMS’s music parent organization to produce concerts, participate in community outreach, oversee an extensive instrument loan program, and fundraise for the program. Read More

Monday Jazz

April 21, 2008 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Kelley Johnson Vocal Jazz Jam

THE NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Quintet

WASABI BISTRO: Brazilian Jazz

Ballard Jazz Festival Starts Wednesday

April 21, 2008 / / No Comments

The 5th annual Ballard Jazz Festival kicks off this Wednesday with The Brotherhood of the Drum at The Sunset Tavern.

Discount on advance tickets are still available, so visit the Ballard Jazz Festival website for more information.

Here is a rundown:

Wed – Thur, April 23 – 24: Brotherhood of the Drum

Friday, April 25: Concert featuring Hadley Caliman Quintet and the Hal Galper Trio

Friday, April 25: Ballard Jazz Walk (16 groups in 13 venues on a joint ticket)

Saturday, April 26: Concert featuring Lee Kontiz and The Sam Yahel Trio

Sunday, April 27: Swedish Pancake Jazz Brunch

Seattle Times: Oregon adapts, thrives and finally returns to Seattle

April 20, 2008 / / No Comments

From The Seattle Times:

Of the many legendary jazz-fusion supergroups spawned by the ’60s rock explosion — Weather Report, Return to Forever, Headhunters — only one comes to mind that has continuously survived.

That is the quartet Oregon, which has recorded 25 albums and played all over the world, from Carnegie Hall in New York to Sri Lanka, Berlin and Bangladesh.

Absent from the Seattle stage for a decade, Oregon makes a rare and welcome appearance to celebrate last year’s Grammy-nominated album “1000 Kilometers” at Jazz Alley on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Read more from The Seattle Times.

Reserve tickets at Jazz Alley.com

Sunday Jazz

April 20, 2008 / / No Comments

JAZZ ALLEY: John Densmore’s Tribal Jazz

TRIPLE DOOR:
MAINSTAGE: 9th Annual Washington Blues Society Awards
MUSICQUARIUM: Sunday Night Salsa: Tor Dietrichson & Mambo Cadillac

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
4:00pm: Jay Thomas Big Band
8:00pm: Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra

TUTTA BELLA WALLINGFORD: Casey MacGill’s Blue 4 Trio

GALLERY 1412: Monica Mata Gilliam and Chris Stover

BRIX WINE CAFE: Katy Bourne & Randy Halberstadt
9749 NE 119th Way, 7:00pm

BALLARD ELKS: Pearl Django
6411 Seaview Ave, 12:30pm

Tom Varner Tentet Concert on KPLU

April 19, 2008 / / No Comments

Excerpts from the world premiere of “Heaven and Hell” for tentet composed by Tom Varner will air on Jazz Northwest Sunday April 20 at 1 pm PDT on 88.5, KPLU and www.kplu.org. Recorded at this month’s Art of Jazz Concert at the Seattle Art Museum, the 13-part work was conducted by Mr.Varner who also played French Horn.

According to the composer, the “heaven” is being in the moment with his family here in Seattle, the “hell” is our planet’s last 6 1/2 years, and the piece is a reflection on that juxtaposition. He says it’s also a look back at the “extreme emotional state juxtaposition” of being New Yorkers on 9/11/01 while preparing to go to Hanoi in nine days to adopt their son Jack. He concludes, “In the end, it all worked out … we adopted our daughter Hope in ’04, moved to Seattle in ’05, and here we are, a Seattle family now.”

Musically, “Heaven and Hell” reflects his “love of Messiaen, Stravinsky, Miles Davis, and Charles Mingus. It evolved into a wind octet plus bass and drums – a chamber group that can breathe together, improvise and play jazz and new music.”

The Art of Jazz Concerts are presented by Earshot Jazz, The Seattle Art Museum and KPLU on the second Thursday of each month. Next month’s concert on May 8 will continue the Seattle/New York connection and feature former Seattle singer Kendra Shank’s New York Quartet featuring pianist Frank Kimbrough. The broadcasts are recorded and produced by Jim Wilke for KPLU. The program is also streamed to the internet and available as a podcast after the airdate from kplu.org .

Listen to the audio preview below …

Saturday Jazz

April 19, 2008 / / No Comments

QUEEN ANNE SILVER PLATTERS: Matt Jorgensen +451 (2:00pm)
701 5th Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109

CROSSROADS BELLEVUE SILVER PLATTERS (music will be on the Crossroads Stage)
1:00pm: Interlake High School Jazz Band
2:30pm: Tribaljazz
5:00pm: Hadley Caliman

Crossroads Shopping Center (next to QFC)
15600 NE 8th St
Bellevue, WA 98008

JAZZ ALLEY: John Densmore’s Tribal Jazz

TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Pocket Change

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Greta Matassa Quartet

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Steve Alboucq Quartet, with Steve Alboucq (trumpet) Chris Morton (piano), Matt Page (drums) and Nate Parker (bass)
9pm – Zazou – Swing Jazz, Musette and Chanson Francaise sextet!
11pm – Jack Gold-Molina Group, with Chris Pugh (guitar), Michael Monhart (saxophones), Paul Kemmish (bass) and Jack Gold-Molina (drums)

BAKE’S PLACE: Jackie Ryan Quartet

HENDRIX LOUNGE: Chris Fagen Group

TUTTA BELLA: Greg Ruby

BERKSHIRE GRILL: Super Blue

GALLERY 1412: Richard Johnson; Unused Lexical Variable

GRAZIE: Blues Union

Saturday is Independent Record Store Day

April 18, 2008 / / No Comments

On Saturday, April 19, thousands of independent record stores across the country have teamed up to celebrate Record Store Day … put down your iPod, log off of Amazon.com and head out to a real-life record store and browse through CDs, vinyl, posters and magazines and check out some music.

Silver Platters will be featuring live music in both their Queen Anne and Bellevue stores and included in the mix is some jazz.

QUEEN ANNE SILVER PLATTERS
2:00pm: Matt Jorgensen +451

701 5th Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98109

CROSSROADS BELLEVUE SILVER PLATTERS (music will be on the Crossroads Stage)
1:00pm: Interlake High School Jazz Band
2:30pm: Tribaljazz
5:00pm: Hadley Caliman

Crossroads Shopping Center (next to QFC)
15600 NE 8th St
Bellevue, WA 98008

Friday Jazz

April 18, 2008 / / No Comments

Counter the rain today by going out and hearing some great music!

JAZZ ALLEY: John Densmore’s Tribal Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Susan Pascal Quartet

HIROSHI’S JAZZ AND SUSHI: Symer Hamar Double Double Bass String

BAKE’S PLACE: Linda Ciofalo Trio

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Far Corner, with Fraser Havens (flute), Pete Sanders (bass), Brad Papineau (drums) and Dick Valentine (saxophones)
9pm – Welch/Stickney Ensemble, with Neil Welch (sax), Jacob Stickney (sax), Brendan O’Donnell (guitar), Mack Grout (piano), Luke Bergman (bass) and Zack Dunham (drums)
11pm – Tom Baker Quartet, with Tom Baker (guitar), Greg Campbell (drums/vibes/French horn), Jesse Canterbury (clarinet) and Brian Cobb (bass)

LATONA PUB: Stuart McDonald, Phil Sparks, Matt Jorgensen (4:30 – 6:30pm)

BERKSHIRE GRILL: Brad Buck

GALLERY 1412: The Jim Knodle Trio

Ballard Jazz Festival in the press

April 18, 2008 / / No Comments

The Ballard Jazz Festival begins next Wednesday and runs through Sunday. Discounts on tickets are available through the festival website.

Previews of the festival have started appearing the local papers.

THE SEATTLE PI: SCAT AROUND IN BALLARD AND SOAK IN JAZZ
Friday’s Jazz Walk is the festival highlight and its biggest draw. “With 16 bands in 13 venues, it is a sure thing,” Jorgensen promises. “If you can’t find something you like in all that, you need to look for a different genre of music.”

THE STRANGER: BALLARD JAZZ FESTIVAL PREVIEW
Not all festivals improve with age, but the Ballard Jazz Festival is an exception. After starting small and growing slowly, the Ballard Jazz Festival has become a distinct and essential event.

THE SEATTLE TIMES
Now in its fifth year, the Ballard Jazz Fest has become one of the most popular and lively jazz events of the year. It gets started next week with the Brotherhood of the Drum on Wednesday and Thursday.