Monday Jazz
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
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.”
Monday Jazz
Here’s what is happening tonight:
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jazz Jam with Darin Clendenin
THE NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Quintet
SERAFINA: The Piper Olson Duo
LA SPIGA: Ray Baldwin & Sam Chambliss
Sunday Jazz
Find some relief for that post-caucus hangover with this list of worthy candidates:
JAZZ ALLEY: Hugh Masekela’s Chissa All Stars
TULA’S: Jazz Police Big Band, 3pm. Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra, 8pm
TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Sunday Night Salsa: Ma-Ta-Bo
TUTTA BELLA: Casey MacGill and Blue 4
SERAFINA: Jazz Brunch with the Conlin Roser/Cynthia Mullis Duo, 11am-1:30pm. Alex Guilbert, solo jazz piano, 6:30pm
NEW ORLEANS RESTAURANT: John Holte’s Radio Rhythm Orchestra
LA SPIGA: Marco de Carvalho
GRAZIE: Reuel Lubag Jam Session, 6pm
GALLERY 1412: Seattle Improvised Music Festival, 8pm. For tonight’s line-up, please visit www.seatttleimprovisedmusic.com.
Saturday Jazz
A virtual avalanche of jazz tonight. No chains required.
BAKE’S PLACE: Ben Thomas and Tangabrazo
JAZZ ALLEY: Chris Botti
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Susan Pascal Quartet
TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Pocket Change
TRIPLE DOOR MAINSTAGE: Henry Butler, solo piano, 7pm
EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Tom Boros, singer/songwriter
9pm – Siendo, with Evan Flory-Barnes
TUTTA BELLA: Steve Mason and Friends
SERAFINA: Jazzukha
LA SPIGA: Rhythm Suite
JAZZVOX HOUSE CONCERT: Pinky Winters w/ Randy Halberstadt. 7:30pm
Advanced ticket purchase required. For tickets and more information visit www.jazzvox.com or call (206) 963-2430.
CHAPEL PERFORMANCE SPACE: 23rd Seattle Improvised Music Festival, 8pm,
For more information and the full line up of performers, visit the Seattle Improvised Music Festival website. (4649 Sunnyside Ave. in Wallingford)
Also, check out these two workshops this afternoon:
SEATTLE DRUM SCHOOL: Billy Kilson Drum Clinic, 1pm. More info at 206-364-8815 or visit the Seattle Drum School website
GALLERY 1412: Improvised Music Workshops, 12pm. More info at the Seattle Improvised Music Festival website
The 23rd Annual Seattle Improvised Music Festival
Now in its 23rd year, the Seattle Improvised Music Festival will be held February 8-10, and 15-17, 2008 at the Chapel Performance Space in Wallingford, and Gallery 1412 in Capital Hill, Seattle.
The longest running festival of its kind in North America, SIMF is an annual meeting place for improvisers at the forefront of Improvised Music in North America, and from around the world. This year’s festival features representatives of Improvised Music communities in Tokyo, Paris, Zurich, Madrid, NYC, Portland, Oakland, Vancouver, and of course Seattle. The 2008 festival will feature visiting improvisers performing in solos and duos, as well as first-time collaborations with Seattle Improvisers.
This year’s SIMF is one of the most ambitious and international to date. It will also be presented without the help of any single large private donor or government funding. IMF 2008 is co-presented with Nonsequitur and Jack Straw Productions.
SIMF 2008 Performers include: Tetuzi Akiyama, Liz Allbee, Jeffrey Allport, Gust Burns, Greg Campbell, Mark Collins, Lesli Dalaba, Chris Delaurenti, Jean Paul Jenkins, Jason Kahn, Wade Matthews, Gregory Reynolds, Stephane Rives, Jonathan Sielaff, Greg Sinibaldi, Tyler Wilcox, and Josef van Wissem.
Performances:
February 8, 9 and 15, 16
Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave
February 10 and 17
Gallery 1412 , 1412 18th Ave & Union
all shows: 8pm, $10-25 sliding scale
Improvised music workshops:
Saturdays, February 9 and 16 at Gallery 1412
12pm, $5-15 sliding scale
For complete festival information, please visit www.seatttleimprovisedmusic.com.
Friday Night Jazz
Celebrate Valentine’s Day early. It will be a heckuva lot cheaper and more fun tonight.
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Greta Matassa Quintet w/Milo Peterson
JAZZ ALLEY: Chris Botti
HIROSHI’S JAZZ AND SUSHI: Hans Bremer Trio
EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Kimberly Reason Quartet, Kimberly Reason (vocals), Bill Anschell (piano), Phil Sparks (bass), and Jeremy Jones (drums)
9pm – Backburner, bluegrass and swing
SERAFINA: The Djangomatics
LA SPIGA: Rhythm Suite
GRAZIE: Katie King
If you want to escape the inevitable onslaught of “My Funny Valentine” renditions, be sure to check out the 23rd Seattle Improvised Music Festival this weekend and next. Tonight’s show is at the Chapel Performance Space (4649 Sunnyside Ave. in Wallingford). For more information and the full line up of performers, visit the Seattle Improvised Music Festival website.
Ben Thomas and Tangabrazo at Bake’s Place
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Tuesday Jazz
It’s Super Tuesday … some say that has to do with politics but I say it has to do with all the music happening tonight!
JAZZ ALLEY: Chris Botti
All shows are full except Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9:30pm shows. Please call for assistance 206-441-9729.
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jay Thomas Big Band
TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Darrius Willrich
NEW ORLEANS: Jet City Fliers
EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Hot Java Cool Jazz Combo Showcase!
6:30pm – Eckstein Middle School
7:30pm – Edmonds Woodway HS
SERAFINA: Josh Hickman
GALLERY 1412: Flim Night – first edition
Fired Up, Ready To Go!
This is a music blog, not a political blog, but occasionally the two worlds come together. In late January a group of Seattle musicians including trumpter/vocalist Jake Bergevin, Matt Cameron, Arturo Rodriguez and the Total Experience Gospel Choir got together at the Columbia City Theater to record a song writen by Bergevin’s two brothers, Jon and Joe, inspired by Barack Obama’s “One voice can change the world” speech.
The video has been speading across the internet and has over 45,000 views on YouTube. They even got a snarky diss from Fox News so you know they are doing something right.
Seattle Times: Bellevue festival loaded with jazz stars of tomorrow
By Paul de Barros
Seattle Times jazz critic
Inclement weather, a flu bug and a Seattle band director’s “tough love” made the competition at this year’s Bellevue Community College Jazz Band Festival a bit unusual.
But the exciting music at BCC’s Carlson Theatre made it obvious, yet again, that the Northwest is a breeding ground for top jazz talent, with the emphasis decidedly on “young.”
Monday Jazz
Here is a list of what’s happening tonight in Seattle …
JAZZ ALLEY: Jake Shimabukuro
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Vocal Jam with Greta Matassa
THE NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Quintet
SERAFINA: The Piper Olson Duo
LA SPIGA: Ray Baldwin & Sam Chambliss
SEATTLE DRUM SCHOOL: Jim Knapp Orchestra
12510 15th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA, 8:00pm
Sunday Jazz
JAZZ ALLEY: Kenny Rankin with Kendra Shank
This is your last night to catch former Seattle resident Kendra Shank opening for Kenny Rankin at Jazz Alley. It is Sunday so it is an early 7:30pm showtime.
TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Sunday Night Salsa: Mango Son
TUTTA BELLA: Casey MacGill and Blue 4
SERAFINA: Jazz Brunch with the Conlin Roser Duo (11am – 1:30pm); Jerry Frank, solo jazz piano (6:30 – 9:00pm)
LA SPIGA: Marco de Carvalho
GRAZIE: Reuel Lubag Jam Session (6:00 – 9:00pm)
JAZZ VESPERS: The Overton Berry Trio w/ Mercedes Nicole, First Baptist Church (First Hill), 6:00pm
From Earshot Jazz: The Jazz Vespers series continues with an appearance by the Overton Berry Trio with Mercedes Nicole on vocals. Pianist Berry has been a fixture on the Seattle jazz scene since the 1950s and can easily be called a living legend. He has performed around the world, including throughout Asia, and has served as Music Director of many notable concert series. Singing straight-ahead jazz with an urban flare, vocalist Nicole has gained a reputation as an artistically playful and unpredictable performer, with a warm, rich, and resonant contralto voice. She is also a member of the dynamic vocal trio Cocoa Martini. They perform a 100-minute secular concert, with an inspirational interlude. Now in its sixth year, the Jazz Vespers take place on the first Sunday of each month (October through June) at the Seattle First Baptist Church on First Hill at the intersection of Union, Seneca and Harvard Streets. The concert begins at 6pm and is free. A collection is taken to permit the church to pay the musicians. Light refreshments are served in the church’s Fellowship Hall afterwards. Visit www.seattlefirstbaptist.org for more information.
CD Review: Crazy: The Music of Willie Nelson
By John Barron, All About Jazz.com
Crazy: The Music of Willie Nelson goes above and beyond the confines of mere adulation for an American music icon. Seattle-based trumpeter Thomas Marriott creates a conceptual sonic flow, harnessing energy from the melodic and rhythmic legacy of some of Nelson’s well known and not-so-well-known gems. For the bulk of the session Marriott is supported by a stellar crew of like-minded risk takers, including saxophonist Mark Taylor, keyboardist Ryan Burns, bassist Geoff Harper and drummer Matt Jorgensen.
The disc traverses a musical landscape full of twists and turns, moving ever-so-smoothly from techno- based grooves (“Phases & Stages, Circles & Cycles”), to 1970s-era fusion explorations (“Write Your Own Songs,” “You Wouldn’t Cross the Street”), to straight-ahead blowing (“I’m Building Heartaches”). Tracks like “Everywhere I Go” and “Crazy” are comparatively clear-cut, adhering to the accessible nature of Nelson’s gorgeous melodies.
An emphasis on melody seems to be Marriott’s top priority throughout the disc’s eleven tracks. The trumpeter’s warm-tone and exuberance breathes life into simple, yet sumptuous themes such as “The Great Divide” and “On the Road Again.” An exciting soloist, Marriott’s improvised dueling with Taylor’s soprano saxophone on “I’m Building Heartaches” stands out as a disc highlight.
Jorgensen and Harper keep things grounded while maintaining a loose, open-ended rapport with each groove. Burns snakes his way through the disc with inventive soloing and distorted synth clusters. His out-of- left-field accompaniment on the second half of “Crazy” is worth the price of admission. Guest keyboardist Wayne Horwitz creates an electronic frenzy on the Weather Report-influenced “Write Your Own Songs”—the groove is practically a carbon copy of Joe Zawinul’s “Black Market.”
The music from this session may be hard to categorize, but the same can be said of Nelson. The eclectic nature of the iconic singer/songwriter’s catalogue lends itself surprisingly well to Marriott’s liberal approach.
Click here to buy this CD
Saturday Jazz
BAKE’S PLACE: Jovino Santos Neto Quarteto
JAZZ ALLEY: Kenny Rankin (Kendra Shank opens)
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Bill Anschell Quartet
THE HENDRIX LOUNGE: Rick Mandyck, Doug Miller, John Bishop
THIRD PLACE COMMONS: Thomas Marriott’s Willie Nelson Project
17171 Bothell Way NE., Lake Forest Park, WA, 7:00 – 9:45pm, Free
TRIPLE DOOR MUSICQUARIUM: Flora McGill with Josh & Evan
EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Dorothy Rodes and Darin Clendenin
9pm – RaChiChi Pop Jazz Trio
TUTTA BELLA: Djangomatics
SERAFINA: Sue Nixon Trio
LA SPIGA: Gail Pettis
ST CLOUDS: Jose Gonzales Trio
1131 34th Avenue, Seattle, (206) 726-1522