Seattle Jazz Scene

Table & Chairs is excited to celebrate the Racer Sessions’ third birthday with a festival at Café Racer. The festival will run from Friday, January 18th through Sunday, January 20th. There will be multiple Table & Chairs artists performing throughout the weekend, as well as many other Seattle-area artists. Cry & Roar will be an accumulation of the talent seen at Café Racer so often over the past few years.

This year, the festival is not simply dubbed “The Racer Sessions Festival” once again, in order to honor a fallen member of the Racer Sessions family. Andrew Carrico passed away recently, and had only begun attending the Racer Sessions a few months before he left us, though he left a lasting impression on so many. He once described his sound on the baritone saxophone as “somewhere between a cry and a roar” — a more than apt description.

The weekend of the 18th, we remember our friends, appreciate our loved ones, and celebrate music.

Cry & Roar: A Festival Celebrating Three Years of the Racer Sessions. January 18th-20th. Café Racer (5828 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105).

Friday, January 18th
8:30pm: Insistent Caterpillars
9:30pm: Sleeper Ensemble
10:30pm: Wand

Saturday, January 19th
8:30pm: Christian Pincock Live Composition Ensemble
9:30pm: Syrinx Effect
10:30pm: Japanese Guy

Sunday, January 20th
8:00pm: King Tears Bat Trip curates the Racer Sessions
10:15pm: Super Secret After Party Guest Artist!

suggested donation of $5-15 at the door.

more information and links here.

Singer-songwriter Beck’s new album, Song Reader, is not an actual album. It is a book of sheet music that he has released for people to perform on their own.

On Saturday, January 19, The Royal Room will host an evening of artists performing Song Reader.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 19
THE ROYAL ROOM
5000 Rainier Avenue South
Seattle, WA
(206) 906-9920

7:00pm (All Ages) / 9:30pm (21+)
$12 Advance/ $15 At The Door. Available now from Stranger Tickets.

Tickets for the Early Set (all ages)
Tickets for the Late Set (21+)

Seattle based artists perform one song each from Beck’s new sheet music only album “Song Reader”. Artists will be backed by an all-star Royal Room house band augmented by a variety of guest musicians.

With many more to follow, confirmed performers include: Robb Benson (Dept of Energy, The Glass Notes), Julia Massey (Julia Massey & The 5 Finger Discount), Thousands, Skerik (The Dead Kenny G’s, Bandalabra), Maria Mannisto, Andy Coe, Carla Torgerson (The Walkabouts), Jared Cortese (The Jesus Rehab), Robin Holcomb, Luke Bergman, and Wayne Horvitz.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Roadside Attraction Big Band
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

THE ROYAL ROOM: The Songs For A Bookmark Project/New House Orchestra
5000 Rainier Ave South, Seattle, 8:00PM

JAZZ ALLEY: Hiroshima
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

MIX: Don Mock, Steve Kim & Jaques Willis
6006 12th Ave South, 206-767-0280, 9:00pm

OWL ‘N THISTLE: Jam w/ Eric Verlinde & Jose Martinez
808 Post Ave, 206-621-7777, 10:00pm

SEAMONSTER LOUNGE: McTuff Trio
2202 N 45th St, 206-633-1824, 10:00pm

COPPER GATE: Suffering F#ckheads
6301 24th Ave NW, 206-706-3292, 8:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Nate Parker Duo
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

BAKE’S PLACE: Hans Brehmer Trio
155 108th Ave NE, Bellevue, (425) 454-2776, 8:00pm

There is currently an online fundraiser for trombonist Julian Priester who is in need of funds to help out with medical and living expenses.

From YouCaring.com:
Many of you know Julian Priester…
…if not personally, then as one of jazz’s living treasures. He’s performed and recorded with the likes of Duke Ellington, Max Roach, Dinah Washington, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Sun Ra… and has been a key member of the Seattle jazz community for the past 35 years.

Prof. Priester recently retired from his longtime faculty position at Cornish College of the Arts, and was hit with a “perfect storm” of events. He sufferred serious kidney troubles, incurring expenses and forcing him to stay near Seattle – both for treatment and to be available for a transplant should the opportunity suddenly arise. That prevents him from touring which, for lack of a pension, is his main source of income. He and his wife have already had to give up their home and put most of their posessions into storage. Even so, it has been a struggle to keep up with the costs of storage, and they cannot reclaim their belongings until the mounting fees are paid off. Soon their things will be auctioned off – not only practical possessions but a lifetime of artwork, music and family history.

If you would like to contribute (there are 83% towards their goal) you can do so here.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Dave Marriott Big Band
2214 Second Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: New Orleans Quintet
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

EL GAUCHO: Paul Richardson
2505 1st Ave, 6:00pm

PARATII: Paratii session w/ Jeff Busch
5463 Leary Ave NW, 206-420-7406, 9:00pm

EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Primo Kim
555 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, 425-455-2734, 6:00pm

WHITE RABBIT: Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder
513 N 36th St Suite E, Seattle, 9:30pm

STILL LIQUOR: O’Brien & Kessler Trio w/ Nate Parker
1524 Minor Ave, Seattle, 9:00pm

ROYAL ROOM: The Syrinx Effect/Fruit and Vegetable
5000 Rainier Ave South, Seattle, 8:00PM

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Michael Brockman Quartet
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Peter White
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

HIROSHI’S: Jazz and Sushi
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966

LATONA PUB: Phil Sparks Trio
6423 Latona Avenue NE, 5:00 – 7:00pm, No Cover, 21+

VITO’S: Grace Love
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 9:00pm

ROYAL ROOM: Piano Royale/Picoso
5000 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, 8:00pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Trish Hatley with Hans Brehmer
11425 Rainier Ave S, 206-772-6891, 7:00pm

GRAZIE: Blues Union
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Chris Clark Trio
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
TBA
1707 NW Market Street, Seattle, 206-789-1621

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Cory Weeds Quintet with Steve Davis
2214 Second Avenue, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

EARSHOT ART OF JAZZ: Greta Matassa Group
Seattle Art Museum, 1300 First Avenue, 5:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Peter White
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm & 9:30pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Lakeside Jam
11425 Rainier Ave S, 206-772-6891, 6:00pm

COPPER GATE: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson & Tad Britton
6301 24th Ave NW, 206-706-3292, 8:00pm

VITO’S: Jimmie Herrod and Friends
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 8:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Tony Foster
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

BARCA: Phil Sparks / Adam Kessler Trio
1510 11th Avenue, Seattle, (206) 325-8263, 9:00pm

ROYAL ROOM: SuperSones
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 8:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Shmoo Seven
1707 NW Market Street, Seattle, 206-789-1621

Vancouver pianist and tenor saxophonist Ross Taggart, who has performed in Seattle many times and who a number of Seattle musicians have worked with in Canada, passed away early this morning. Taggart had been hospitalized in the fall for renal cancer.

Vancouver saxophonist Cory Weeds, who performed frequently with Taggart and who is performing in Seattle Thursday night, posted on his Facebook page, “Tonight in Portland we play every song, every solo and every note for our friend Ross Taggart. I love you my man and I will miss you. You did more for me than anyone and were a support like none other. You have left a long beautiful legacy that will never ever forgotten.”

For more information, read the post by the Ottawa Citizen.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: The Jazz Misfits
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

ROYAL ROOM: Slingshot Songs with Jessica Lurie, Beth Fleenor, Sam Boshnack, Andy Coe, Evan Flory Barnes, and guests.
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 8:00pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Vicci Martinez
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: The Legacy Band with Clarence Acox
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

BOXLEY’S: 5:00pm: Future Jazz Heads; 7:00pm: Jazz Heads
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

418 PUBLIC HOUSE: 418 session w/ Claudio Rochat-Felix
418 NW 65th St, 9:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Vocal Showcase featuring Mairin Gorman, Susan St. John, and Hanna Stevens
9pm – Vocal Jam hosted by Julie Olson
1707 NW Market Street, Seattle, (206) 789-1621

VITO’S: Jerry Zimmerman
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 8:00pm

CAFE CON LECHE: Brazilian jam w/ Jeff Busch
2901 1st Ave South, Seattle, 9:00pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Emerald City Jazz Orchestra
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

THE ROYAL ROOM: Chris McCarthy Trio Plays The Music of Ahmad Jamal; The Taylor-Clausen Quintet
5000 Rainier Ave South, Seattle, 8:00PM

JAZZ ALLEY: Vicci Martinez
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

MIX: Don Mock, Steve Kim & Jaques Willis
6006 12th Ave South, 206-767-0280, 9:00pm

OWL ‘N THISTLE: Jam w/ Eric Verlinde & Jose Martinez
808 Post Ave, 206-621-7777, 10:00pm

SEAMONSTER LOUNGE: McTuff Trio
2202 N 45th St, 206-633-1824, 10:00pm

COPPER GATE: Suffering F#ckheads
6301 24th Ave NW, 206-706-3292, 8:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Aaron Tevis Project
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

BAKE’S PLACE: Hans Brehmer Trio
155 108th Ave NE, Bellevue, (425) 454-2776, 8:00pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Chris McCarthy Trio with D’Vonne Lewis and Nate Parker
2214 Second Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: New Orleans Quintet
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

EL GAUCHO: Paul Richardson
2505 1st Ave, 6:00pm

PARATII: Paratii session w/ Jeff Busch
5463 Leary Ave NW, 206-420-7406, 9:00pm

EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Primo Kim
555 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, 425-455-2734, 6:00pm

WHITE RABBIT: Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder
513 N 36th St Suite E, Seattle, 9:30pm

STILL LIQUOR: O’Brien & Kessler Trio w/ Nate Parker
1524 Minor Ave, Seattle, 9:00pm

ROYAL ROOM: Collective Music Ensemble
5000 Rainier Ave South, Seattle, 8:00PM

BOXLEY’S: 5:00pm: Mt. Si Vocal Workshop; 7:00pm: CCK Workshop
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

Thursday, January 10
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB
2214 2nd Ave
7:30pm
Reservations: 206-443-4221

from The Seattle Times:

Most parents discourage their children from going into the arts, but when Canadian saxophonist Cory Weeds graduated from high school, his father promised to pay his first year of tuition — if he went to music school.

“Usually, it’s the other way around,” says the 39-year-old jazz man, who’s playing at Tula’s Thursday.

But Weeds’ dad loved jazz and could see his son had talent.

“I think he had designs that I would become a band teacher,” says Weeds. “If he had known that later I would be going into business, he probably wouldn’t have paid.”

The business Weeds refers to is Vancouver, B.C.’s, longest-running venue devoted exclusively to jazz, the Cellar. But that’s just one of the hats this Renaissance jazz man wears. He has a thriving career as a touring musician, heads a record label and hosts his own radio show.

“Jazz is my life,” he says.

When Weeds started the Cellar 12 years ago, he was pretty sure it would spell the end of his playing career. But his two vocations turned out to be symbiotic. In 2003, through booking the club, he met Hammond B-3 organ master Dr. Lonnie Smith, and they wound up touring and recording together.

“The Doctor Is In” was recorded at Weeds’ club, on his label, Cellar Live. So in one fell swoop, Weeds was launched — as a musician, club owner and label head.

Continue reading at The Seattle Times.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Katie King Quartet
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Pearl Django with Special Guest Connie Evingson
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

HIROSHI’S: Jazz and Sushi
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966

LATONA PUB: Phil Sparks Trio
6423 Latona Avenue NE, 5:00 – 7:00pm, No Cover, 21+

VITO’S: Tim Kennedy Trio
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 9:00pm

ROYAL ROOM: Piano Royale
5000 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, 8:00pm

GRAZIE: Andre Thomas Quiet Fire
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Bill Anschell Trio
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Analog Honking Device, featuring Cynthia Mullis (tenor sax), Brent Jensen (soprano sax), Chuck Deardorf (bass), John Bishop (drums)
1707 NW Market Street, Seattle, 206-789-1621

Pacific Jazz Institute at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley presents gypsy jazz artists Pearl Django in support of their new release Eleven. Joining Pearl Django will be special guest vocalist Connie Evingson. Band members include Troy Chapman (guitar), and Ryan Hoffman (Guitar), Rick Leppanen (bass), Michael Gray (violin), and David Lange (accordion). Set times Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Doors open at 6:00 pm Wednesday and 5:30pm all other nights.

Entering their sixteenth year of performing Pearl Django continues to be one of America’s most respected and busiest Hot Club style groups. Though still strongly influenced by the music of Django Reinhardt, Pearl Django’s repertoire now includes many original compositions. Their music reaches out across the divides of taste to a wide variety of audiences. The band’s fervent followers include Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli fans, guitar enthusiasts, lovers of string music, including bluegrass devotees, who relish nimble, clean, intricate picking, “world music” fans drawn to French and Gypsy accents, plus jazz buffs and aficionados of the new swing music. Transcending simple categorization, Pearl Django packs in enthusiastic audiences at dancehalls and nightclubs, at folk music festivals and jazz festivals alike.

The newest release by Pearl Django, Eleven (2012), showcases an even further evolving sound than their earlier recordings. While Pearl Django wears their love of Django Reinhardt and Gypsy Jazz on their sleeves, they also display a unique ability to stretch the genre in new directions. Eleven features a majority of original compositions, including two by Martin Taylor, their special guest on this CD. All of the group’s members contribute compositions to the repertoire. Eleven also solidifies a change in group personnel as Pearl Django founder Neil Andersson leaves the rigors of life on the road to enjoy the life of a painter while the new disc is the first full album length collaboration between guitarists Ryan Hoffman and Troy Chapman. Released to critical acclaim in June 2012, Eleven made it to #2 on the “US Roots Chart” and had a solid ten week run in the Jazz Week Top 40. JazzTimes says of Eleven in its recent review that it “points to the charm, wit, swing and lyricism that await Pearl Django devotees and newcomers alike. Small wonder that Martin Taylor was happy to oblige.” And, that indeed, is the Gypsy swing or ‘hot club’ sound that’s made Pearl Django a worldwide favorite.

from The Seattle Times:

Easy Street Records, a mainstay of Seattle’s thriving popular music scene and one of the few record stores left in the city, is closing its Lower Queen Anne branch.

“They wanted a long-term lease,” said store owner Matt Vaughan of his landlord, Diamond Parking. “The rent that was being asked was significantly higher.”

Vaughan declined to say what the rent was or by what percentage it would go up. But for each of the past two years, the store has signed a one-year lease at a rent he says the store could afford. A new tenant — Chase Bank — agreed to the new terms. Easy Street’s last day of operation at its 20 Mercer Street location will be Jan. 18.

Easy Street has been on Queen Anne for 12 years. Its other store, which remains in West Seattle, has been there since 1988.

Vaughan said the Queen Anne store did good business in 2012 but that it could not absorb a rent increase.

“What’s happened to South Lake Union has impacted real estate in the surrounding area,” he said. “There’s a commercial real-estate boom happening here in Seattle and for guys like myself it becomes too difficult to consider being in locations like the one I have here.”

Continue reading at The Seattle Times.