Seattle Jazz Scene

Cynthia Mullis’ new band, Analog Honking Device, debuts this Thursday and Friday performing music based on the modern jazz repertoire approached with a free and open, improvisatory, experimental aesthetic. As notes on her website, “Compositions are explored intuitively based what each band member brings to the table from their own musical experience. The result is a seat-of-the-pants musical adventure that veers between the inside and outside parameters of the jazz experience.”

Both shows feature fellow saxophonist Brent Jensen who is familiar to Seattle jazz fans from his recordings on Origin Records.

Thursday, January 3rd, 2013 at 8pm:
Cynthia Mullis, tenor sax
Brent Jensen, soprano sax
Steve Kim, electric bass
Chris Symer, acoustic bass
Chris Icasiano, drums

WAYWARD MUSIC SERIES
Chapel Performance Space
Fourth floor of the Good Shepherd Center
4649 Sunnyside Ave. N, Seattle (SW corner of 50th & Sunnyside in Wallingford)
Admission: $5-15 sliding scale.

Friday, January 4th, 2013 at 7pm:
Cynthia Mullis, tenor sax
Brent Jensen, soprano sax
Chuck Deardorf,  bass
John Bishop, drums
Tim Kennedy, piano

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE
1707 NW Market Street
Seattle, WA 98107
Phone: 206-789-1621

Earshot Jazz is currently accepting nominations for the 2012 Golden Ear Awards, which recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the previous year in Seattle jazz.

Please email nominations to [email protected] by January 11, 2013.

The ballot for the 2012 awards will be available in the February.

Send Earshot your suggestions for:

• NW Recording of the Year
• NW Acoustic Jazz Ensemble of the Year
• Alternative Jazz Group of the Year
• NW Concert of the Year
• NW Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year
• Emerging Artist of the Year
• NW Vocalist of the Year
• Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: 7:30pm: MWNW Honors Ensemble; 8:30pm: Smith/Staelens Big Band
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

ROYAL ROOM: 6:30: The John Otten Quintet; 8:00pm: The Westerlies
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Pearl Django with Special Guest Connie Evingson
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 – Evan Shay Group with Evan Shay (saxes), Xavier Del Castillo (tenor sax), Gus Carns (piano), Mat Muntz (bass) and Evan Woodle (drums) ($10 cover/$7 students)
9pm – Slant Quartet
1707 NW Market Street, Seattle, (206) 789-1621

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

from Jim Wilke:

For Pacific Northwest jazz fans in particular, here are some of the exceptional releases from artists living in Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver.

Clipper Anderson – The Road Home – Origin
Human Spirit – Dialogue Live at Earshot Festival – Origin
Cory Weeds – Up A Step – Cellar Live
Pearl Django – Eleven– Modern Hot
Ezra Weiss/Rob Scheps Big Band – Our Path To This Moment– Roark
Bill Anschell/Brent Jensen/Chris Symer – Blueprints – Origin
Jon Hamar – Hymn – Origin
Jeff Johnson – Suitcase – Origin
Johnny Conga – Oye! – Hand to Drum
The Cats / Jay Thomas et al – Neo-Boogaloo – Pony Boy

Make sure and check out Jim Wilke’s complete 2012 list here.

Reservations recommended for all venues with New Year’s Packages!

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Greta Matassa
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 8:30pm, $35

JAZZ ALLEY: Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band
**New Year’s packages include music and food. Prices range from $60.50 – $175.50/person
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 8:45 & 11:00pm

ROYAL ROOM: Big Band Jazz from the 30s, 40s, 50s
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 8:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Bernie Jacobs and Greg Williamson
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm and 9pm

SERAFINA: John Sanders Quartet w/ Sue Nixon
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807, 9pm

CEDARBROOK LODGE: Jacqueline Tabor Jazz Band
18525 36th Ave S, Seatac, 7:30pm

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

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

Did we miss something? Send us an email: [email protected]

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Bill Anschell Standards Trio
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

BOXLEY’S: Pete Christlieb & Bill Ramsay
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

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

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Butch Harrison
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, 206-772-6891

SORRENTO HOTEL: Eugenie Jones
900 Madison St, 206-622-6400, 7:30pm

ROYAL ROOM: Mash + Horns record release w/ Pigpen
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 8:30pm

SCOTCH AND VINE: Jason Higginson
22341 Marine View Dr S, Des Moines, 7:00pm

GRAZIE: Emily McIntosh
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm

Jim Wilke features some of his favorite jazz CDs by Northwest musicians from the past year on Jazz Northwest this Sunday afternoon at 2 PM Pacific. Tune in to hear his picks, or check out the complete list at jazzafterhours.org.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: 5:00: Ryan Burns / Mark Taylor; 7:30pm: Stephanie Porter Quartet
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band
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: McTuff
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 9:00pm

ROYAL ROOM: Mash + Horns record release w/ Pigpen
5000 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, 8:00pm

GRAZIE: Emily McIntosh
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Alex Guilbert (piano) and Stuart MacDonald (sax)
9pm – Grant Richards Trio
1707 NW Market Street, Seattle, 206-789-1621

Jazz Night School, offering jazz combos and big bands for aspiring musicians of all ages in the Seattle area, announces several new programs for the New Year.

Gypsy Jazz Ensemble, led by Rick Leppanen of nationally-renowned Pearl Django, will feature Hot Club Jazz style music made famous by guitarist Jean “Django” Reinhardt in the 1930s. Open to guitars, clarinet or sax, violins, accordion, mandolin, vibes, bass, and percussion. Rick Leppanen has been a member of Pearl Django since 1998 and is an accomplished double bassist, composer, and educator. He has toured nationally, and since 1985 has been a freelance jazz bassist.

Monk Ensemble, led by Dawn Clement, one of Seattle’s jazz luminaries, will concentrate on pieces by the iconic piano genius Thelonious Monk. Participants should be comfortable with at least intermediate improvisation concepts. Open to piano, guitar, bass, and drums, and multiple melody instruments. Dawn Clement, a pianist, singer, and composer, is a master musician and one of the most sought-after performers in the Pacific Northwest.

Other programs include: the Latin Jazz Ensemble, led by Julio Jauregui, which features music from latin jazz artists such as Chucho Valdes, Emiliano Salvador, Poncho Sanchez, and more; the Big Band Express ensemble led by Stuart MacDonald, jazz band director with award-winning Roosevelt High School jazz band program; and the Gig Prep Weekly Workshop for moderately experienced small combo musicians will focus on reading charts and working up a full set of music.

For a description of the full range of classes offered for all levels, go to the Jazz Night School website. Classes begin the week of January 6, 2013. Sign up online now or by calling 206-722-6061.

from The Seattle Times:

“Every man prays in his own language and there is no language God does not understand,” said composer Duke Ellington when he was called to task decades ago for writing sacred music in the jazz idiom. No such defense is necessary today, of course, as Ellington’s Sacred Concerts — written in 1965, 1968 and 1973 (a year before he died) — have become standard holiday repertoire. The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, presented by Earshot Jazz, offers its annual sampling of Ellington’s inspiring music at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle; $15-$34 (206-547-6763 or www.brownpapertickets.com).

Paul de Barros, Seattle Times jazz critic

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Tatum Greenblatt Quintet w/ Roxy Coss
2214 Second Avenue, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

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

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

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

BOXLEY’S: Dan Kramlich
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

VITO’S: Jennifer Kienzle and Friends
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695

ROYAL ROOM: Expanded Correo Aereo
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 8:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Tasty Trio w/ Max Holmberg, Mat Muntz, Max Williams
1707 NW Market Street, Seattle, 206-789-1621

from The Seattle Times:

If it seems as if vocalist Karrin Allyson was just here, you’re right — she played Jazz Alley in August, and showed yet again why she is hands down one of the finest singers in jazz. But her fans — and they are legion in Seattle — will no doubt be delighted to come hear her again. Expect everything from “ ’Round Midnight” and “Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most” to her signature Brazilian song, “O Pato.” Allyson plays at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle; $24.50 (206-441-9729 or www.jazzalley.com

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

ROYAL ROOM: Home for the Holidays w/ Mulherkar Brothers Quintet, Roxy Coss
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Karrin Allyson
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: Future Jazz Heads
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

VITO’S: Wally Shoup Trio
927 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, 206-397-4053, 9:00pm

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm: Vocal Showcase featuring Billy Brandt, Elsa Lund, and David Arteaga
9pm: Vocal Jam with Hans Brehmer (piano), Kevin McCarthy (bass) and Beri Puhlovski (drums
1707 NW Market Street, Seattle, (206) 789-1621

Holotradband performing at The New Orleans

There has been a shakeup at The New Orleans Creole Restaurant with many of the longtime performers losing their weekly gigs.

After the passing of legendary owner, and Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame inductee, Gaye Anderson in August, day-to-day operations of The New Orleans was taken over by Gaye’s nephew Joe Anderson. An email in early-December circulated from management to the weekly performers stated that “Given these very tough times and the responsibilities at hand; we ask that you understand our absolute need to control our ‘out of control’ costs on all facets … Frankly we just cannot survive at the rate things are and have been done.”

A follow-up email last week announced that elimination of music on Tuesdays (Holotradband performed their last show on December 18), Thursday (Ham Carson will perform for the last time on December 27) and Friday (Flexicon’s last performance will be on December 28).

Wednesdays with Clarence Acox will continue, but the group was asked to take a pay cut. Music will also continue on Mondays and Saturdays.

The New Orleans has also added at least two new managers to their staff.

Seattle Jazz Scene talked to Dave Holo on his way to what was his last performance at The New Orleans.

I’ve been there since June of 1988 on Mondays with the New Orleans Quintet, the original band at the New Orleans Creole Restaurant.  I’ve also been there with Holotradband since October of 2003 on Tuesdays.

… I feel hollow.  First we lost Gaye in August, now we’re watching her dream fade … The New Orleans Creole Restaurant has been an icon in the history of Seattle music. Now it’s shrinking.  I just feel saddened. I’m good with numbers. I understand the why of things.  Business is tough in today’s cruel economy.  But this is a big loss to a lot of people.  I’m saddened for what we lose, I’m grateful for what we keep. I can’t complain about the end of such a long run, but I can’t not feel sad to see it come to a close.

We all know that this Friday, December 21, 2012 (the last day on the Mayan Calendar), is sure to be the last day on Earth for all mankind … so what better way to end all existence than to join drummer Matt Jorgensen at Tula’s Jazz Club for a stellar night of music.

Jorgensen will be joined by longtime bandmates Mark Taylor (saxophone), Thomas Marriott (trumpet), Ryan Burns (piano) and Phil Sparks (bass).

The night will consist of music from the catalog of both groups Jorgensen is best known for.

Matt Jorgensen +451 last performed in 2009. Their five albums on Origin Records, and their live shows throughout the 2000s established them as one of the premier groups in the Northwest. In 2003 they won the Earshot Golden Ear Award for Northwest Jazz Group of the Year.

Human Spirit, co-led with Mark Taylor and Thomas Marriott, have spent the last year touring in support of their new recording, Dialogue: Live at the Earshot Jazz Festival, including performances in Vancouver, Portland, Chicago, Philadelphia and New York City.

Reservations are recommended for what will be the last night on earth!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21
MATT JORGENSEN +451
HUMAN SPIRIT

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB
2214 Second Avenue, Seattle

Music starts at 7:30pm
$15.00
Reservations: 206-443-4221

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

JAZZ ALLEY: David Lanz
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

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

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: Emily Asher’s Garden Party
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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Singin’ in the Reindeer featuring the Victor Janusz Trio
1707 NW Market Street, Seattle, 206-789-1621

JAZZ ALLEY: Tingstad and Rumbel
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Emily Asher’s Garden Party 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: Eric Vloeimans & Florian Weber
5000 Rainier Ave South, Seattle, 8:00PM

BOXLEY’S: 5:00pm: MSHS Vocal Workshop; 7:00pm: Aaron Tevis Project
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

from Anton Schwartz:

This concert features vocalist Greta Matassa in a particularly intimate setting. Greta is a dominating force in the jazz scene here in the Pacific Northwest and one of the most impressive vocalists on the national scene today. Her sound spans a huge range, as she moves with ease between muscular and delicate, innocent and world-weary, yielding intricate bebop one minute and earthy soul the next, all the while maintaining uncanny technique & control.

Joining Greta and me is bassist Clipper Anderson, Greta’s lifelong collaborator and another key player in the Seattle jazz scene. Clipper has worked with a long list of jazz greats including including Michael Brecker, Arturo Sandoval, Bucky Pizzarelli, Benny Golson, Phil Woods and Buddy DeFranco. The trio of vocal, sax and bass is extremely nimble, allowing us to react on a dime and head in unforeseen directions within each song.

Reservations are required. For more information and to reserve, visit LoftConcert.com.

Note: Looking for a last-minute Christmas gift or stocking stuffer? Check out Greta and Clipper’s Christmas album, And To All A Good Night.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: 5:00: Ryan Burns / Mark Taylor; 7:30pm: Kelley Johnson Quartet
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: Flexicon featuring Thomas Marriott
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 8:00pm

JAZZ ALLEY: The Family Stone
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: Yada Yada Blues Band
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 9:00pm

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Pearl Django
1520 NE 177th, Shoreline, (206) 365-4447, 7:00pm

ROYAL ROOM: Piano Royale / Royal Room Anniversary w/ Evan Flory-Barnes, McTuff, Sweeter Than the Day w/ Skerik
5000 Rainier Avenue South, 8:30pm

BOXLEY’S: closed for private event
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

GRAZIE: James Bernhard Blues Fusion
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm

UNCLE THURMS: Urban Rhapsody
3709 South G Street, Tacoma, (253) 475-1881, 7:30pm