A Mirror and Focus for the Jazz Community January 2014 Vol. 30, No. 01 EARSHOT JAZZSeattle, Washington The Seamonster Lounge Photo by Daniel Sheehan LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR EARSHOT JAZZ A Mirror and Focus for the Jazz Community Executive Director John Gilbreath Happy New Year from Earshot Managing Director Karen Caropepe Jazz!! Earshot Jazz Editor Schraepfer Harvey Contributing Writers Nathan Bluford, Libby With this January issue, Earshot Graham, Steve Griggs, Bryan Lineberry, Jazz begins its 30th year of publi- Peter Monaghan, Sarah Thomas cation! Since December of 1984, Calendar Editor Schraepfer Harvey we’ve distributed well over one Calendar Volunteer Tim Swetonic million free copies of this monthly Photography Daniel Sheehan magazine throughout the Seattle Layout Karen Caropepe area, thoroughly documenting one Distribution Karen Caropepe, Dan Wight and of the most vibrant jazz scenes in volunteers the country. Send Calendar Information to: Meanwhile, Earshot Jazz has 3429 Fremont Place N, #309 Seattle, WA 98103 grown from the original one-sheet, JOHN GILBREATH PHOTO BY BILL UZNAY bi-monthly newsletter, published, fax / (206) 547-6286 email / [email protected] as the masthead said, “out of pocket Feeling the vitality of the jazz scene by Paul deBarros and Gary Ban- around us, we can only imagine Board of Directors Richard Thurston nister,” into a highly effective non- good things for the future. (president), Femi Lakeru (vice-president), Hideo Makihara (secretary), Clarence Acox, profit jazz-support organization. We’ve got some great program- ing around the corner in 2014! Stay Bill Broesamle, George Heidorn, Ruby Consistent with its original mis- Smith Love, Kenneth W. Masters, Sally sion, the Earshot Jazz organization tuned for further details, but mark Nichols, Lola Pedrini, Paul Toliver, Cuong increases awareness and support for your calendars for a February 6 Vu, Lori Williams concert with Ralph Alessi’s exciting jazz in the community through this Earshot Jazz is published monthly by magazine, its various educational Baida Quartet, appearing on the Earshot Jazz Society of Seattle and is programs, and artist-support and heels of their fantastic new ECM available online at www.earshot.org. networking initiatives. Earshot Jazz release. On February 18th we are proud to present Brian Blade’s Fel- Subscription (with membership): $35 has also developed into one of the 3429 Fremont Place #309 premiere jazz-presenting organiza- lowship band, which recently com- Seattle, WA 98103 tions in America, respected for tak- pleted a run of sold out concerts at phone / (206) 547-6763 ing the long view of the art form, New York’s legendary Village Van- fax / (206) 547-6286 guard, about which critics and con- while showcasing Seattle’s impor- Earshot Jazz ISSN 1077-0984 tant artists alongside the monsters certgoers are still talking. Printed by Pacific Publishing Company and masters from around the world. In addition to new education and © 2013 Earshot Jazz Society of Seattle Thanks to your support and par- concert opportunities, Earshot Jazz ticipation, we had a fantastic year also has some organizational en- MISSION STATEMENT in 2013!! Our concerts presented hancements coming up that will Earshot Jazz is a non-profit arts and service unforgettable work from hundreds help us better serve the artists, edu- organization formed in 1984 to cultivate a of artists this year, while forming cators, and audiences of our com- support system for jazz in the community munity. We hope you’ll continue and to increase awareness of jazz. Earshot new partnerships and reaching re- Jazz pursues its mission through publishing a cord audiences. We’ve also recently to be involved. Please join Earshot monthly newsletter, presenting creative music, inaugurated two new education Jazz now!! providing educational programs, identifying and programs, which will bring jazz to Happy New Year!! filling career needs for jazz artists, increasing listenership, augmenting and complementing general population school children John Gilbreath, Executive Director existing services and programs, and networking around interesting new narratives. with the national and international jazz community. 2 • EARSHOT JAZZ • January 2014 NOTES NOMINATIONS Seattle-Kobe Female Jazz Vocalist Artist Trust Fellowships Auditions The application deadline is January SNominations Wanted: The Seattle-Kobe Sister City Associa- 13 for 2014 Artist Trust Fellowships, 2013 Golden Ear Awards annual awards of $7,500 for profes- tion sends one high school-aged and The Golden Ear Awards recog- sional Washington State artists dem- one adult female jazz vocalist from nize and celebrate the outstanding onstrating excellence and dedication in Greater Seattle to Kobe, Japan, in May achievements of the previous year their craft. New this year, in addition 2014. Finalists are selected by early in Seattle jazz. Nominations for to 14 Fellowship recipients, one artist February and participate in a live audi- the 2013 awards are currently be- each in literary and music disciplines tion at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley on Mon- ing accepted. Please email nomi- will receive a one-month residency at day, February 24. Two winners feature nations to nominations@earshot. the Millay Colony in New York and a as guest vocalists at the 15th annual org by January 10, 2014. The of- $1,000 stipend. Eligible fields for 2014 Kobe Jazz Vocal Queen Contest. Ap- ficial voting ballots for the 2013 are Music, Media, Literary and Craft. plication deadline is January 20, 2014, awards will be printed in the Feb- Apply at www.artisttrust.org. by email to [email protected]. For ruary issue of this publication and questions or more information, con- Wayne Horvitz Piano Book available at www.earshot.org. tact Mari Maruyama Carpenter at (206) 619-1951. Wayne Horvitz has released the first Send us your suggestions for edition of Little Pieces for the Piano, a NW Recording of the Year: CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 IN ONE EAR NW Acoustic Jazz Ensemble of the Year: Seattle Jazz at the JEN Conference to participate in the ninth annual Seattle jazz educators fly to Dallas Swing Central Jazz High School Jazz Alternative Jazz Group of the in the first week of January to per- Band Competition & Workshop, pro- Year: form and teach at the Jazz Education duced by the Savannah Music Festi- Network Conference. The Bellevue val (SMF), March 26-28. Pianist and College Vocal Jazz Ensemble, with composer Marcus Roberts leads 23 NW Concert of the Year: Jim Sisko (trumpet), and the Jovino musicians/educators as the Associate Santos Neto Quinteto, with Johnaye Artistic Director. Participating stu- Kendrick (vocals), Ben Thomas (vi- dents work with jazz masters across braphone), Chuck Deardorf (bass), three days, perform in showcases on NW Jazz Instrumentalist of Mark Ivester (drums) and Jeff Busch Savannah’s River Street and Reyn- the Year: (percussion) perform, Santos Neto olds Square and play in competition teaches “Ginga: The Rhythmic Lan- rounds for up to $13,000 in cash guage of Brazilian Music,” and pianist awards. From the Seattle area, Ballard Emerging Artist of the Year: Randy Halberstadt teaches “Wrap- High School Jazz Band, Mountlake ping Your Ears Around a Tune.” More Terrace High School Jazz Ensemble about the JEN conference, January I, and Newport High School Jazz I NW Vocalist of the Year: 8-11, at jazzednet.org. will attend. More at www.savannah- musicfestival.org. Seattle High School Jazz at the Savannah Music Festival Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame: Twelve of the country’s top high school jazz bands have been selected CONTINUED ON PAGE 21 January 2014 • EARSHOT JAZZ • 3 VENUE PROFILE The Seamonster’s Growing ART BROWN AND TARIK ABOUZIED OF HARDCORETET PERFORMING AT THE SEAMONSTER. PHOTO BY CHRIS DAVIS. By Nathan Bluford windows. Inside, the shoebox-sized Third, in the process of moving bar, restaurant and music venue just through the crowd and toward the The block of 45th Street between breathes good times. Busy or not, three music, it’s easy to pick up on a dis- Wallingford’s Corliss and Bagley av- things are the same no matter what tinct, er, randomness to the clientele. enues gets to be pretty quiet after ten. night of the week it is: One regular, who introduces himself One door down from the Bagley inter- First, there is no cover charge, and it’s from underneath a fedora as Dabkin, section, however, nestled underneath a going to stay that way. explains: “The Seamonster’s a place green, glowing awning and a frame of Second, if it’s later than ten pm, that all the freaks can call home.” blue Christmas lights, lies an arousing somebody is playing live music, gener- This bar doesn’t exactly have a dress neighborhood curiosity, the Seamon- ally of the funk and/or jazz persuasion. code, and in addition to the more ster Lounge. This happens in the back, past the bar, typical brand of patrons, the laid-back Most nights, a few folks post in front in front of an eye-catching mural that atmosphere reels in hippies, star chil- smoking cigarettes, their conversation features a giant squid, a naked wom- dren, time travelers, aliens, poets, ma- rapidly jumping from recording stu- an getting cozy with an octopus, and gicians, cowboys, and more from every dios to public schools to blues history some other aquatic fantasy-themed corner of the Seattle woodwork. The and back again. Pulsing but muddled imagery. old and the young, the classy and the sounds of music and conversation em- classless, the lone wolves and the birth- anate from behind the glass door and 4 • EARSHOT JAZZ • January 2014 day parties sit or stand side by side go once a week rather than once a the band or working behind the bar (anybody who’s been there on a busy month or once a year.” will be playing in the corner later that night knows just how literally “side To say that he has succeeded in that week.