Wednesday Jazz

July 27, 2011 / / No Comments

JAZZ ALLEY: Monterey Jazz Festival Next Generation Jazz Orchestra
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Greta Matassa Jazz Workshop
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 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: Craig Hoyer
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7pm: Vocal Showcase; 9pm: Vocal Jam hosted by Eugenie Jones
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Diane Fast-Neale
1520 NE 177th, Shoreline, (206) 365-4447, 7:00pm

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

LUCID: Vocalize-It
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

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

Looking for fan reviews this weekend

July 26, 2011 / / No Comments

Are you heading to Jazz Port Townsend or Jazz In The Valley this weekend?

We would like to publish fan reviews and photos … so send in your comments and photos of the shows. They can be as short as a paragraph or a full-fledged review. Those of you with smart phones can talk photos and email them to us.

Send your comments and photos to: [email protected].

RIP – Frank Foster

July 26, 2011 / / No Comments

Reports are coming in that Frank Foster, saxophonist for the Count Basie Orchestra, passed away this morning.

Update: AP has an obit online via The Seattle Times:

Frank Foster, a jazz saxophonist who played with the Count Basie Orchestra and composed the band’s hit, “Shiny Stockings,” died Tuesday. He was 82.

Foster died Tuesday morning at his home in Chesapeake, Virginia, of complications from kidney failure, according to Cecilia Foster, his wife of 45 years.

Foster was recognized in 2002 by the National Endowment for the Arts as a Jazz Master, the nation’s highest jazz honor . In a statement expressing sadness at Foster’s death, NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman called him “an extraordinary saxophonist, composer, arranger, bandleader, and educator.”

Landesman added, “We join many others in the jazz community and beyond in mourning his death while celebrating his life.”

According to the NEA, Foster’s many compositions included material for singers Sarah Vaughan and Frank Sinatra, and a commissioned piece written for jazz orchestra for the 1980 Winter Olympics: “Lake Placid Suite.”

Foster was a native of Cincinnati. He told NEA interviewer Don Ball in 2008 that he “had an ear for music” from an early age. He said his mother took him to hear opera when he was just 6.

Jazz big bands caught his attention when he was 12. Foster’s first instrument was clarinet, but at age 13 he took up the sax. Foster told the interviewer he played in a dance band at Wilberforce University and went on to join Basie’s band in 1953.

Continue reading at The Seattle Times.

Jazz In The Valley – this weekend

July 26, 2011 / / No Comments


Gail Pettis performs this weekend at Jazz In The Valley in Ellensburg.
(Photo by Daniel Sheehan)

Jazz Port Townsend is not the only major jazz festival this weekend in Washington. The 14th annual Jazz In The Valley takes place July 29-31 in Ellensburg, a two hour drive east of Seattle on I-90.

This year’ performers include Gail Pettis, Gary Hobbs Quartet, Lloyd Jones Struggle, John Gross Trio, Little Bill and the Bluenotes, McTuff, Sonando, The John Moawad’s All Star Big Band and many more.

All the shows are located in downtown Ellensburg, with a main outdoor concert stage and jazz in the surrounding clubs and galleries (think Ballard Jazz Walk).

With a festival pass only costing $35 (individual days can be bought for $10-15), Jazz In The Valley makes a great weekend event, especially if Seattle’s rainy July weather continues.

Tickets are available for purchase online through today (Tuesday, July 26) or can be bought in person at the event. Last year’s event did sell out, so we recommend buying online today if you are planning on attending.

More info: Jazz In The Valley website

Monterey Jazz Festival kids play Jazz Alley

July 26, 2011 / / No Comments

from The Seattle Times:

The Monterey Jazz Festival Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, a national all-star high-school group selected by the education arm of the Monterey Jazz Festival and directed by Paul Contos, swings through Seattle this week. Often a glimpse of future stars, the band has featured pianists Benny Green and Patrice Rushen and saxophonist Joshua Redman in the past.

7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., Seattle; $19.50 (206-441-9729 or www.jazzalley.com).

Tuesday Jazz

July 26, 2011 / / No Comments

JAZZ ALLEY: Monterey Jazz Festival Next Generation Jazz Orchestra
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Music Works 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
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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7pm: Raina Rose, Carrie Elkin, and Andrew Pressman; 9pm: Terrence McManus (NYC-based jazz guitarist)
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621, 9:00pm

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: Wally Shoup Quartet
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695

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

HIGHWAY 99 CLUB: Farko Collective
1414 Alaskan Way, Seattle, 8:00pm

New Bill Holman composition debuts at Jazz Port Townsend

July 25, 2011 / / No Comments

from The Seattle TImes:

A few years ago, when West Coast composer Bill Holman met Cuban clarinetist Paquito D’Rivera for the first time, Holman had quite a shock.

“It was the funniest thing,” said the 84-year-old NEA Jazz Master in a phone interview. “When we were introduced, he said, ‘Bill Holman!’ and proceeded to sing the whole first chorus of a piece I’d written for Buddy Rich. Nothing left out, no pauses.”

D’Rivera explained to the astonished Holman that his teacher had made him learn to play — and sing — the piece. It was called “Ready Mix.”

Now the venerated arranger and composer has written a spanking new composition for D’Rivera himself, a three-part concerto for clarinet and jazz big band called “Northwest Passage.” The piece has its world premiere Saturday at Jazz Port Townsend.

The new work was commissioned by Port Townsend arts nonprofit Centrum through a grant from the NEA Jazz Masters Live program, thanks to festival program manager Gregg Miller, a clarinet player himself.

Continue reading at The Seattle TImes.

Monday Jazz

July 25, 2011 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Boyd Phelps Sax Attack
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

Sunday Jazz

July 23, 2011 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
4pm – Easy Street Jazz Band
8pm – Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221

JAZZ ALLEY: The Steve Tyrell 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
6:45pm – Ledward Kaapana
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: Anne Reynolds & Tobi Stone
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

Grammy-Nominated Local Pianist Mark Levine Gives Back Awards

July 23, 2011 / / No Comments

from The Bay Citizen:

This April, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences announced the elimination of 31 Grammy Awards categories to widespread outcry. Locally, the disappearance of one class of category in particular —awards for Latin Jazz — has continued to draw ire from musicians.

But petitions can only go so far. Pianist Mark Levine, the recipient of a 2003 Grammy nomination in the Latin Jazz category, decided this spring to resign his membership. After being informed via a letter that he was, in fact, a lifetime member, Levine has decided to take his protest a step further.

This past week, he returned the plaque he was awarded for the 2003 nomination for his Latin Tinge album “Isla,” and 2010 Latin Grammy nomination parchment for the Latin Tinge’s “Off & On.”

In the weeks between the initial announcement and his public repudiation of his Recording Academy honors, Levine had come to see the organization as not just ham-fisted but racially insensitive, both in NARAS’s initial category culling and its reply to critics.

Continue reading at The Bay Citizen.

Saturday Jazz

July 23, 2011 / / No Comments

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

JAZZ ALLEY: The Steve Tyrell Band
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

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

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Murl Sanders
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, 206-772-6891

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
7pm – Grace Skrobisz
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

SERAFINA: Alex Guilbert 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: Caffeine
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042

SORRENTO HOTEL: Karin & Emily Mcintosh
900 Madison St, 206-622-6400, 7:30pm

GRAZIE: Michael Powers Group
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm

Friday Jazz

July 22, 2011 / / No Comments

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

JAZZ ALLEY: The Steve Tyrell Band
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

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

THE CHAPEL: Beth Fleenor / Bling
Good Shepherd Center (Wallingford), 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, 7:30pm

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

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

LUCID: From Los Angeles: guitarist Jon Bremen and saxophonist Ariel Alexander with Paul Gabrielson & Matt Jorgensen
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

HIROSHI’S: Jay Thomas Quartet
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966

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

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Phil Westbrook
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, (206) 772-6891

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Greta Matassa & Darin Clendenin
1520 NE 177th, Shoreline, (206) 365-4447, 8:00pm

SERAFINA: John Sanders’ Gypsy Reeds
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807

SORRENTO HOTEL: Nikki Decaires
900 Madison St, 206-622-6400, 7:30pm

GRAZIE: Michael Powers Group
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm

Rising Stars at Bake’s Place: The Mulherkar-Clausen Quintet

July 21, 2011 / / No Comments

FRIDAY, JULY 22 – 7:30PM – BAKE’S PLACE
The Mulherkar-Clausen Quintet

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

Bake’s Place recently announced the launch of the “Rising Stars” concert series, which showcases up and coming young musicians from the Pacific Northwest. The region is home to some of the most outstanding high school jazz programs in the nation and has long been the starting point for some of the brightest musicians breaking into the scene today. Although many of these artists are busy with their musical studies and blooming careers, Bake’s offers an open door and an opportunity to play when their travels bring them back to the area. “We are dedicated to supporting these exciting, young musicians,” say club owner Craig Baker.

The series kicks off this Friday with the Mulherkar-Clausen Quintet led by Juilliard classmates Riley Mulherkar and Andy Clausen.

Riley Mulherkar is a prodigy of the prestigious Garfield High School jazz program. Described by the New Yorker as a “brilliant teen-aged trumpeter,” Mulherkar is already making a name for himself. He has been recognized by Downbeat Magazine and also received the “Ella Fitzgerald Outstanding Soloist” award at the 2010 Essentially Ellington Competition in New York City. He has shared the stage with the likes of Wynton Marsalis, Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath, Paquito D’Rivera and Roy Hargrove and has performed nationally and internationally at such festivals as Umbria Jazz Festival, Jazz a Vienne, Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and the Reno Jazz Festival. In August, Riley will be joining fellow Julliard students for a tour of Brazil as part of Julliard’s Student Outreach program. He will be performing in collaboration with other jazz musicians as well as actors and actresses.

Trombonist/composer Andy Clausen has enjoyed an equally impressive trajectory. He rose through the ranks of the acclaimed Roosevelt High School jazz program. At just 14 years of age, Andy was already writing original compositions and leading his own sextet, which played throughout the Seattle area. In 2009, he was named as the “Emerging Artist of the Year” by Earshot Jazz and in that same year, also won the Gerald Wilson Award for Jazz Composition from the Monterey Jazz Festival. The Andy Clausen Large Ensemble has also garnered high praise; the New York Times hailed the band as “sleek, dynamic large group jazz.”  Andy has performed in across the U.S. as well as in Italy, France, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia. His compositions have been performed by Winton Marsalis and recorded by Cuong Vu.

Riley and Andy recently completed their freshmen year at Juilliard and have joined forces to front their own quintet, which is presently touring throughout the Northwest. Rounding out the band are Gus Carns on piano, Mark Hunter on bass and D’Vonne Lewis on drums.

For this performance, dinner service starts at 6pm. Showtime is 7:45pm.  Reservations can be made by calling 425-391-3335 or by sending an email to [email protected]. Early reservations are highly recommended.

Thursday Jazz

July 21, 2011 / / No Comments

THE CHAPEL: TRIPTET/Zubatto Syndicate
Good Shepherd Center (Wallingford), 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: The Steve Tyrell Band
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

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

INTERBAY GOLF: Stick Shift Annie with Kimball and the Fugitives
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: 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: Jay Thomas Duo
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: 9:00pm: Mulherkar/Clausen Quintet
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

Tuesday Jazz

July 19, 2011 / / No Comments

JAZZ ALLEY: The Steve Tyrell Band
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Roadside Attraction
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 with guest 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

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: Real Vocal String Quartet
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621, 9:00pm

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: Paul West
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695

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

HIGHWAY 99 CLUB: Farko Collective
1414 Alaskan Way, Seattle, 8:00pm

Take the A train to Brooklyn jazz clubs

July 18, 2011 / / No Comments

from The Seattle Times:

When Duke Ellington instructed Billy Strayhorn to “take the A train” to find him in Harlem, the band leader had no idea Billy would immortalize the phrase in a swing-era hit.

Of course, that was back in the late 1930s, when Harlem was the hub of the jazz world.

If Duke were giving Billy directions today, he might still tell him to take the A train — but to get off in Brooklyn.

Over the past 10 years, a robust, homegrown jazz scene has developed in the humble borough across the East River from Manhattan. If you’re a jazz-lover or simply curious about the cultural cutting edge, check out the clubs there next time you visit the Big Apple. They’re a heck of a lot cheaper than Manhattan spots such as the Blue Note or Birdland, which can set you back $50-$60, and the music is often the most innovative in the city.

Brooklyn clubs Barbès, the Tea Lounge, Zebulon and Sycamore also are located in three of the hippest neighborhoods in New York — in Park Slope, Williamsburg and Ditmas Park — areas colonized by artists and young professionals driven out of Manhattan by high rents. The clubs are all easy to get to by subway and there’s a homey, unpretentious, community feel to them, since many have sprung up in neighborhoods where musicians live.

Continue reading at The Seattle Times:

Monday Jazz

July 18, 2011 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Vocal Jam with Darin Clendenin Trio
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

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

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

Sunday Jazz

July 16, 2011 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
4pm – Jay Thomas Big Band
8pm – Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221

JAZZ ALLEY: Brian Culbertson
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: Danny Ward; 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

Sounds Outside 2011 Cancelled

July 16, 2011 / / No Comments

from The Monktail Creative Music Concern:

Due to insurmountable financial hardship, Sounds Outside 2011 has been canceled.

This unfortunate decision comes with a great amount of regret, however we turn our focus, hope, and vision to the other powerful artistic performances and activities cultivated by each of our respective organizations.

More than ever, we encourage you to step outside of the box to connect, communicate, and collectively engage with each other. Though this decision marks the end of an era, it does not mark the end of an idea.

On behalf of Advocates for Abundance and the Monktail Creative Music Concern – Thank you for supporting 5 years of Sounds Outside: A Celebration of Adventurous Music & Community.