Monday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Vocal Jam hosted by Greta Matassa
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

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

AMORE: JT/TK Quartet
2301 5th Ave, 206-770-0606, 7:30pm

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

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Howard Dixon
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

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

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

LUCID: Myles Lawrence & Ian Hughes Duet
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 8:00pm

Documentary Film Quest for Improv Artist
The music documentary Intangible Asset No. 82 is the story of Australian jazz drummer Simon Barker’s quest to meet South Korea’s 82nd Intangible Asset, Kim Seok-Chul, a man he believes to be one of the world’s great improvisers. Bill Frisell called the film “totally inspiring.” The director, Emma Franz, will be in attendance to discuss the film. The award-winning documentary is at the Grand Illusion Cinema for one screening in the University District, August 8, 7pm.

ALL STAR SEPTET FROM JAZZ PORT TOWNSEND ON JAZZ NORTHWEST, AUGUST 7 ON 88.5 KPLU


Benny Green, Paquito D’Rivera, Bruce Forman, Joel Frahm, Terell Stafford, Christoph Luty (partially hidden), Matt Wilson
(photo by Jim Levitt)

A stellar septet of jazz greats played at McCurdy Pavilion during Centrum’s Jazz Port Townsend 2011 the last weekend of July. Cuban-born, now American citizen Paquito D’Rivera was nominal leader and spokesman, playing alto sax and clarinet. He played alongside Dizzy Gillespie and other jazz greats who helped bring him to world-wide attention. Along with him were trumpeter Terell Stafford, tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm, guitarist Bruce Forman, pianist Benny Green, bassist Christoph Luty and drummer Matt Wilson. All are major jazz recording and touring stars with their own groups and/or with others.

The seven musicians had also been faculty members during the week-long jazz workshop which precedes the festival each year. After a week of sharing their knowledge and skills with students, they were ready for some fun themselves. They roared through several bebop classics by Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock and a gentle bossa nova by Jobim. The concert was recorded for broadcast and will air on Jazz Northwest on Sunday, August 7 at 1 PM PDT on 88.5 KPLU in Western Washington and stream live to the internet at kplu.org.

This concert is one of eight performances recorded at this year’s Jazz Port Townsend which will air over coming weeks on Jazz Northwest . The program is recorded and produced exclusively for KPLU by Jim Wilke and is also available as a podcast from kplu.org after the air date.

Sunday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
3pm – Reggie Goings Jazz Offering
8pm – Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221

JAZZ ALLEY: Bill Frisell’s Beautiful Dreamers ft. Eyvind Kang and Rudy Royston
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729

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

CAFE RACER: Racer Sessions
5828 Roosevelt Way NE, 8pm

DARRELL’S TAVERN: Kevin Mccarthy & Friends Jam Session
18041 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, 8

FAIRE GALLERY CAFE: Monktail session
1351 E Olive Way, Seattle 206-652-0781

LITTLE THEATER: The Connection
608 19th Ave E, 7:30pm

SERAFINA: 11:00am: Alex Guilbert Duo; 6:30pm: Jerry Frank
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807

VITO’S LOUNGE: Ruby Bishop
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 6:00pm

PROHIBITION GRILL: Bob Strickland jam
1414 Hewitt Ave, Everett, 425-258-6100, 5:00pm

Friday Jazz

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

JAZZ ALLEY: Bill Frisell’s Beautiful Dreamers ft. Eyvind Kang and Rudy Royston
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

NEW ORLEANS: Mark Taylor, Rick Mandyck, Phil Sparks and Matt Jorgensen
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 8:00pm

BAKE’S PLACE: The Yesberger Band
4135 Providence Point Dr SE, Issaquah, 425-391-3335, 7:30pm

AMORE: Lonnie Williams
2301 5th Ave, (206) 770-0606

LUCID: Todo Es
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

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

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

BOXLEY’S: Byrant Urban’s Blues Oasis
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

SCOTCH AND VINE: Jose “Juicy” Gonzales Trio
22341 Marine View Dr S, Des Moines, 7:00pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Sunga Rose w/ Fred Van Doren
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, (206) 772-6891

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Double Scotts on the Rocks
1520 NE 177th, Shoreline, (206) 365-4447, 8:00pm

SERAFINA: Djangomatics
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807

SORRENTO HOTEL: Overton Berry
900 Madison St, 206-622-6400, 7:30pm

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

VITOS: Jovino Santos Neto
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695

VINO BELLA: Brooks Giles Band
99 Front St N, Issaquah, 7:30pm

Seattle Opera’s new “Porgy and Bess” something to savor

from The Seattle Times:

After previously presenting two Houston Grand Opera touring versions of the show, Seattle Opera has at last mounted its own production of “Porgy and Bess.”

And the musical and dramatic richness of Chris Alexander’s new staging of this intrinsically American masterwork is a satisfying reward for the long wait.

Stirring principals, a superior chorus of local singers and strong orchestral backup led by renowned “Porgy and Bess” conductor John DeMain provide a splendid introduction to the classic.

And for longtime fans of “Porgy and Bess,” Seattle Opera finds new hues and nuances in the beloved opera without distorting it.

One is captivated from the first strains of the blues-lullabye “Summertime” (sung by the fine soprano Angel Blue, as Clara), to the emotion-charged finale when the hobbling beggar Porgy (the great Gordon Hawkins) sets off on a quixotic journey to find his departed lover, Bess (the compelling soprano Lisa Daltirus, in excellent voice).

“Porgy and Bess” shines here not just in the gleaming vocal and orchestral treatment of George and Ira Gershwin’s magnificent score, but also in an understanding that this is a portrait of a community.

from The Seattle Times:

Jazz Night School presents “Up-Beat Girls Jazz Camp”

The Jazz Night School is offering a special jazz camp for girls in grades 6-12. The “Up-Beat Girls Jazz Camp” is a week-long day camp that gives young musicians an opportunity to sharpen their improvisational skills and also gain experience playing in a jazz combo.

Daily sessions include instruction in ear-training, theory, rhythm and jazz history as well as plenty of hands-on playing time. There will be a daily lunchtime jam with professional female musicians from the Seattle jazz community. The camp will also include a Skype session with renowned jazz drummer Terri Lyne Carrington.

The goal of the camp is to provide a friendly and supportive environment for young female musicians to gain confidence, sharper skills, learn about women in jazz, make friends and have fun.

The camp will take place August 8-12 from 9:30am-4:30pm. The week will culminate with a performance on Friday, August 12.

To register for the camp, call 206-721-6061 or send an email to [email protected]. For more information, please visit www.jazznightschool.com.

Thursday jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: Bill Frisell’s Beautiful Dreamers w/ Eyvind Kang & Rudy Royston
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: The Dawning: Dawn Clement, Ingrid Jensen, Geoff Harper and Jon Wikan
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

INTERBAY GOLF: Leah Natalie & Ambience
2501 15th Ave W, 206-285-6079, 5:30pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Jerry Zimmerman
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: Skelbred/Jackson Quintet
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

THAIKU: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson, Tad Britton
5410 Ballard Ave NW, 8:30pm

LUCID: The Hang
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

BOXLEY’S: HB Radkey and Craig Hoyer
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

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

VITO’S: Chris Jeffries
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695

DISTRICT LOUNGE: Cassia Demayo Quintet
4507 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, 206-634-2000, 9:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7:00pm: Carol Nielsson with Darin Clendenin (piano), Clarence Acox (drums), Phil Sparks (bass), Milo Peterson (guitar) and Jon Goforth (saxophone); 9:00pm: Chloe Lear Jackson
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

Wednesday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: Mark Hummel & The Blues Survivors with Lee Oskar and Steve Freund
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

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

TRIPLE DOOR: Lavay Smith & the Red Hot Skillet Licker
216 Union Street, Seattle, 206-838-4333, 7:30pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Bonnie Birch
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

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

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio
5410 Ballard Ave NW, 8:30pm

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7pm: Mac and His Merry Men
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

DISTRICT LOUNGE: Peter Daniel
4507 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, 206-634-2000

LUCID: Jazz & Poetry
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 8:30pm

VITO’S: Honey Castro
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 7:00pm

Latin jazz players file suit over cut Grammy award

from AP/Seattlepi.com:

Some Latin jazz musicians have filed a class-action lawsuit against the organization that gives out the Grammy Awards, accusing the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of harming them by eliminating it as a separate category in next year’s awards.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in state Supreme Court in Manhattan, calls for the Best Latin Jazz Album category to be reinstated.

“They shouldn’t have done this,” said Roger Maldonado, lead attorney for the plaintiffs, who include Bobby Sanabria, a Grammy-nominated Latin jazz musician and Grammy nominee Mark Levine, a pianist and composer.

“Not only does it devalue the category of music and the work these musicians do,” he said, “It makes it much harder for them to gain recognition.”

Continue reading at The Seattle PI.

Tuesday Jazz

JAZZ ALLEY: Mark Hummel & The Blues Survivors with Lee Oskar and Steve Freund
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

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

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Karin Kajita
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

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

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

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

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

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

DISTRICT LOUNGE: Cassia Demayo Quintet
4507 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, 206-634-2000, 9:00pm

VITO’S: The Jason Parker Quartet
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 8:00pm

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

Bebop rules at Jazz Port Townsend

from The Seattle Times:

The big story at this year’s Jazz Port Townsend — held last weekend in the Fort Worden balloon hangar called McCurdy Pavilion and at several Port Townsend clubs — was the world premiere of a work by Los Angeles composer Bill Holman for reed man Paquito D’Rivera.

The piece lived up to expectations and more at its Saturday afternoon debut. But a plain old-fashioned jam session that night was the festival highlight.

A bebopper’s delight, the program featured an ad hoc group of musicians who had been teaching all week at a workshop that preceded the festival. Jokingly called an “8-Piece Sextet” (that ultimately had seven players — go figure), it fell effortlessly into a deep, toe-tapping groove.

The bespectacled, suit-clad drummer Matt Wilson had a lot to do with that, as he set a swingin’ pace on Herbie Hancock’s soulful shot, “Driftin’.” D’Rivera, whose irresistibly silly humor fell somewhere between Dizzy Gillespie and Ricky Ricardo, pulled the crowd to its feet with a sparkling solo on “Corcovado.” Trumpeter Terrell Stafford tore the lid off Gillespie’s “Tour de Force” and Wilson answered with a solo that cleverly cast his bass drum against fields of silence. Pianist Benny Green rumbled over the edge of the earth into of the ether of pure sound.

Continue reading at The Seattle Times.

Monday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Pete Christlieb Tall & Small and Ramsay-Kleeb West Big Band
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

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

AMORE: JT/TK Quartet
2301 5th Ave, 206-770-0606, 7:30pm

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

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Howard Dixon
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

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

BOXLEY’S: Danny Kolke Solo
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

Sunday Jazz

Also check out Jazz Port Townsend and Jazz In The Valley.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
3pm – Fairly Honest Jazz Band
8pm – Jiggs Whigham and the BuJazzO US TOUR
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221

JAZZ ALLEY: Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729

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

BAKE’S PLACE:
10am – Sunday Breakfasts w/guitarist Michael Gotz
4135 Providence Point Dr SE, Issaquah, 425-391-3335

CAFE RACER: Racer Sessions
5828 Roosevelt Way NE, 8pm

DARRELL’S TAVERN: Kevin Mccarthy & Friends Jam Session
18041 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, 8

FAIRE GALLERY CAFE: Monktail session
1351 E Olive Way, Seattle 206-652-0781

SERAFINA: 11:00am: Pasquale Santos; 6:30pm: Jerry Frank
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807

VITO’S LOUNGE: Ruby Bishop
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 6:00pm

PROHIBITION GRILL: Bob Strickland jam
1414 Hewitt Ave, Everett, 425-258-6100, 5:00pm

Saturday Jazz

Also check out Jazz Port Townsend and Jazz In The Valley.

JONES PLAYHOUSE THEATER: Table & Chairs showcase
4045 University Way NE, 8:00pm
From Earshot: Local experimental and improvised music label Table & Chairs is hosting its first of a series of quarterly showcase concerts at 8:00pm on July 30 at the Jones Playhouse Theatre in the U-District. Three bands not previously heard under the banner of Table & Chairs will be performing. Neil Welch’s Sleeper Ensemble and Prawnyxx will perform, and what’s normally a guitar and drum power duo, Simon Henneman and Greg Keplinger, has been expanded to a quartet for the showcase. The Sleeper ensemble is due to release a recording with Table & Chairs at the end of this summer. Simon Henneman and Greg Keplinger also have plans to begin a recording an album for Table & Chairs this year. Admission is $10 at the door. More information at www.tableandchairsmusic.com.

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Brian Nova Trio
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

BAKE’S PLACE: Clairdee
4135 Providence Point Dr SE, Issaquah, 425-391-3335, 7:30pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Coreena Brown w/ Jimmy Holden
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, 206-772-6891

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Val D’Alessio; 9pm – Kareem Kandi Group
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

SERAFINA: Javier Anderson Trio
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807

VINO AT THE LANDING: Brooks Giles Trio
800 N 10th Pl, Renton, 7:00pm

VITO’S: Ruby Bishop
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 8:00pm

LUCID: 9:30pm: Klyntel’s Uninhibited: “The Groove Collective”
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042

SORRENTO HOTEL: Miss Rose & Her Rhythm Percolators
900 Madison St, 206-622-6400, 7:30pm

GRAZIE: Charles Mack Band
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm

Friday Jazz

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Kendra Shank 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

NEW ORLEANS: Chad McCullough, Rick Mandyck, Phil Sparks and Matt Jorgensen
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 8:00pm

BAKE’S PLACE: The Yesberger Band
4135 Providence Point Dr SE, Issaquah, 425-391-3335, 7:30pm

AMORE: Lonnie Williams
2301 5th Ave, (206) 770-0606

LUCID: Rondi Marsh
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

HIROSHI’S: Karen Shivers Quartet
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966

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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7pm: Oghale Agbro and Elnah Jordan; 9pm: Karin Blaineand TR Ritchie

SCOTCH AND VINE: D’Vonne Lewis Trio
22341 Marine View Dr S, Des Moines, 7:00pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Greta Matassa w/ Darin Clendenin
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, (206) 772-6891

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Karin Kajita & Emily Mcintosh
1520 NE 177th, Shoreline, (206) 365-4447, 8:00pm

SERAFINA: Alex Guilbert Duo
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807

SORRENTO HOTEL: Kimberly Reason
900 Madison St, 206-622-6400, 7:30pm

GRAZIE: Barbie Anaka
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm

VITOS: Casey MacGill
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695

Thursday Jazz

THE CHAPEL: Operation ID; ManKinSon
Good Shepherd Center (Wallingford), 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, 7:30pm

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

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Jose Gonzales & Katrina Kope
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

INTERBAY GOLF: Scott Lindenmuth
2501 15th Ave W, 206-285-6079, 5:30pm

TRIPLE DOOR: “The Producers” Paul Brown And Darren Rahn
216 Union Street, Seattle, 206-838-4333, 7:30pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Jerry Zimmerman
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

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

THAIKU: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson, Tad Britton
5410 Ballard Ave NW, 8:30pm

LUCID: The Hang
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Frank Kohl Quartet
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

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

VITO’S: Ron Weinstein Trio
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695

DISTRICT LOUNGE: Cassia Demayo Quintet
4507 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, 206-634-2000, 9:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7:00pm: Jacqueline Tabor; 9:00pm: Chris Chandler and Paul Benoit
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

VITO’S: Julie Cascioppo
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 7:00pm

Rising Stars at Bake’s – The Yesberger Band

The Yesberger Band at Bake’s Place
Friday, July 29. 7:45pm

Bake’s Place continues its “Rising Stars” series this weekend with a featured performance from “The Yesberger Band.”

Pianist Devon Yesberger is the prodigy of the Edmonds-Woodway High School jazz program and is presently enrolled in the Berklee School of Music. While performing with Edmonds-Woodway, Devon was a finalist for the Gibson-Baldwin Grammy Jazz Ensemble and was also a participant in the All-Northwest Jazz program. The Yesberger Band includes fellow Berklee classmates Spencer Stewart on bass and Gabriel Smith on drums. Rooted in the jazz tradition, the trio playfully infuses elements of pop into their music and performs original compositions that convey a message of universal love and the “euphoric expression of self.” The Yesberger Band will appear at Bake’s Place this Friday, July 29.

“Rising Stars” showcases up and coming jazz young jazz artists from the Northwest and a features some of the brightest musicians and vocalists entering the national music scene today. Bake’s is dedicated to supporting these new artists and in providing them an opportunity to play. This is the second summer for the series.

For this performance, dinner services starts at 6pm and showtime is 7:45pm. For reservations, call 425-391-3335 or send an email to [email protected]. For more information, please visit the www.bakesplace.org.

Rob Perry, the face of Jazz Alley, soon to retire

from The Seattle Times:

“Rob is a jewel,” says longtime Seattle jazz patron David Marriott Sr. of Rob Perry, the svelte, silver-haired manager of Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley for the past 27 years. “After you come down those stairs, you know you’ve got a good friend there. He’s going to take care of you. He sets the tone.”

Perry, 60, the public face of Seattle’s signature jazz institution (the 32-year-old club is owned by John Dimitriou) is retiring at the end of July. For two generations of musicians and fans, saying goodbye will be like losing a familiar old friend.

“He’s going to be missed dearly,” says Dimitriou. “He was a great asset.”

As manager, Perry is not only the face at the bottom of the stairs. He manages 18 servers, five bussers and a front-of-house staff of 10, and oversees the kitchen and bar. It’s not a job for the faint of heart.

Perry started working for Dimitriou in 1984, back when the club was a casual joint in the University District and a manager was needed to run a second club in Pioneer Square. Perry thought his first night might be his last. Pianist Ahmad Jamal was the headliner.

Continue reading at The Seattle Times: