Elnah Jordan Where She Needs to Be

Earshot Jazz is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

January 2021 A Mirror and Focus for the Jazz Community Volume 37, No. 01 Seattle, Washington

Elnah Jordan photo by Steve Parent Letter from the Director

Now Serving Number 21!

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Happy New Year from everyone here at John Gilbreath Earshot Jazz! It almost seems like any MANAGING DIRECTOR glimpses of optimism for the coming year Karen Caropepe should be accompanied by a medal of valor MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE for making it as far as we have through the Lucienne Aggarwal EARSHOT JAZZ EDITOR battleground of 2020. We hope that you and Lucienne Aggarwal yours are safe and healthy, and are able to EARSHOT JAZZ COPY EDITOR discern at least a glimmer of light at the end Caitlin Carter of this tunnel. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS I believe that we’ve all stepped significantly Ian Gwin, Willem de Koch, Paul Rauch CALENDAR EDITORS outside of our “normal” lives in this past John Gilbreath photo by Bill Uznay Carol Levin and Jane Emerson year, and that may ultimately be a use- PHOTOGRAPHY ful process for many of us. While the global pandemic essentially forced us Daniel Sheehan to pull back into ourselves, the isolation and focus on the essentials of life L AYO U T provided the time and the platform for serious introspection. The killing of Karen Caropepe George Floyd and others at the hands of the police, and the justifiable, even DISTRIBUTION overdue, outrage those killings brought about, was exacerbated by a political Karen Caropepe, Dan Dubie & Earshot Jazz volunteers system that was modeling behaviors that seemed hopelessly self-serving and SEND CALENDAR INFORMATION TO: fundamentally out of touch with the world around us. Beyond mere food for [email protected] thought, it’s time for radical self-examination. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Like everyone, the Earshot organization took some deep hits this year. This Chris Icasiano (President), Sheila Hughes (Vice President), Chris Nutter (Secretary), Augusto past summer, we spent time as an organization taking apart everything we do, Cardoso, John W. Comerford, Maurice James, evaluating our component parts, and reassembling those program areas deemed Danielle Leigh, Gail Pettis, Ruby Smith Love, Diane Wah as essential. In the face of all of the things we couldn’t do, we focused on what EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS we can do; for the art form, for our home community, and for the survival of Clarence Acox, Sue Coliton, Taina Honkalehto, the organization. We also examined our internal beliefs and processes—the Hideo Makihara, Peter Monaghan, Kenneth W. Masters, Lola Pedrini, Richard Thurston, Paul work we typically present, our vendor relationships, our board and staff, our Toliver, Cuong Vu collaborators—all through the lens of inclusion and equity. We set to making Founded in 1984 by Paul de Barros, Gary adjustments to our operations while holding closely to those things which Bannister, and Allen Youngblood. Earshot Jazz reflect and connect most organically to this community. is published monthly and is available online at earshot.org. Even with new national leadership and welcome shipments of vaccine, the Subscription (with membership): $35 shift from “pandemic” to “post-pandemic” is likely to play out through the 3417 Fremont Ave N, #221 entirety of this year. The past year has already been devastating to the artists, Seattle, WA 98103 venues, and related support systems for live music. Even those venues that (206) 547-6763 may be able to gradually reopen will be reeling financially. Meanwhile, the Earshot Jazz ISSN 1077-0984 Printed by Yakima Herald-Republic concert-going public is sure to be slow in regaining confidence. ©2021 Earshot Jazz Society of Seattle Our organizational vision for the post-pandemic process involves a necessary redoubling of our commitment to our home community. Our role has got to MISSION STATEMENT be that of a leader in kick-starting safe, public jazz performance, and stepping To ensure the legacy and progression up to provide more opportunities for Seattle artists. of the art form, Earshot Jazz cultivates As always, we appreciate any advice and support you may offer. We wish you a vibrant jazz community by engaging a safe and spectacular new year—a new year made better by the lessons we’ve learned, the work we’ve done, and the joy of reconnecting with community. audiences, celebrating artists, and supporting arts education. – JOHN GILBREATH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

2 EARSHOTJAZZ January 2021 NOTES COVID-19 best practices, including test- Changes For Jackson Street ing for both staff and artists, but also to Registration Now Open for Jazz Walk JazzED’s Virtual Protest The annual Jackson Street Jazz Walk provide socially distant fan pods—private, weatherproof, sanitized, viewing pods that Songs Project (JSJW), which was planned for 2020, has This rescheduled program is open for can accommodate small groups. Currently been postponed until 2021. Coinciding registration with classes running for a ten- the proposal is under consideration for with Black History Month, the JSJW week program between February 6–April permit approval by King County. will be aired as a streamed concert in 10. Open to grades 5–12, the program February 2021. The JSJW commemorates caters to students of all instruments, the musical legacy of Jackson Street and 4Culture Building For Equity: including voice, strings, and ukulele. is produced by singer, songwriter, and Cultural Facilities Grants Building for Equity: Cultural Facilities The protest songs taught include works producer Eugenie Jones. Details about grants provide funding for building, re- by Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, Charles dates and artists are forthcoming. View modeling, and buying specialized space Mingus, Sam Cooke, and Bob Marley. jacksonstreetjazz.org for details. that houses and facilitates cultural work Students choose their level based on years in King County. A total of $1,100,000 is of experience. Tuition is on a pay-what- Randy Engstrom Steps Down Randy Engstrom, the director of the available in the funding pool. Grants are Office of Arts & Culture, announced early funded through a competitive process December he will be stepping down from that considers the project’s feasibility, his position at the end of January. Eng- impact on the community, and equity in strom led the department for eight years. development and construction practice, During his tenure, Engstrom worked to among other criteria. Cultural Facilities establish the Cultural Space Agency, ARTS grants are available to King County-based at King Street Station, and The Creative nonprofit arts and cultural organizations Advantage, a partnership with Seattle and public agencies with at least a two- Public Schools, among other programs. year operating history. The application Mayor Durkan announced the appoint- deadline is February 5, 2021, at 5pm PST. ment of Interim Acting Director Calandra For details visit, 4culture. org/grants/ Childers until a successor has been ap- building-for-equity-culturalfacilities. pointed. Engstrom plans to spend his time teaching, advocating for national arts and Chamber Music America racial justice policies, and spending time New Jazz Works Application Funded by the Doris Duke Charitable with his family. For more information, Foundation, Chamber Music America’s visit artbeat.seattle.gov. New Jazz Works program provides grants to U.S. jazz ensembles to create, perform, Safe & Sound Seattle SPC Safe & Sound Seattle, SPC, is a Social and record new works. Ensembles con- Purpose Corporation that was recently sisting of 2–10 members are eligible to incorporated by Jonathan Evergreen and apply; the new work may be composed three other artists/community organiz- by the ensemble leader or a member of ers in the Seattle area. Their goal is to the ensemble. Grantees will receive funds effectively use COVID safety guidelines to support them through the creation from the CDC to implement a plan to and presentation stages of the program. host safe shows that employ furloughed The grant period will run from July 1, event workers, pay musicians, fundraise 2021–June 30, 2024. Diversity, inclusion, for venues, and allow people a community and equity are a primary focus of the space to reconnect with the Seattle scene CMA. The deadline to apply is February in a safe, well-researched, and realistic 12, 2021, at 9pm EST. For details, go to way. They plan to use public parks to chamber-music. org/programs. host outdoor events, not only adhering to local and state guidelines regarding

January 2021 EARSHOTJAZZ 3 you-can-afford sliding scale; free tuition is also available. Visit seattlejazzed.org/ protest-songs for details. GOLDEN EAR AWARDS

Seattle Jazz Artist Relief Fund Update Nominations Wanted: 2020 Golden Ear Awards Last month, Earshot Jazz announced The Golden Ear Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of Seattle a new program that will provide direct jazz artists over the previous year. Please email your nominations by January financial relief to individual jazz artists 15 to [email protected]. most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the perennial favorites, this year we are asking for your help Thanks to the generosity of the Raynier with Special Awards. Please nominate those people or groups that you feel Institute & Foundation, Earshot Jazz will have made extraordinary contributions in this difficult year, perhaps through be able to make 50 $1,000 gifts directly a remarkable pivot in presentation, support to fellow artists, or new initiatives to individual artists in need. in education or collaboration. Earshot extends its heartfelt gratitude The official ballot will be available in February. to our community for your thoughtful responses to the Seattle Jazz Artist Relief Send us your suggestions for: Fund. It has been our honor to activate this fund and to support Seattle jazz NW Recording of the Year: artists in need this past month. Stay tuned for a second round of funding to be announced in mid-January online at NW Acoustic Jazz Ensemble of the Year: earshot.org and in next month’s Earshot Jazz magazine.

Earshot Jazz Magazine Alternative Jazz Group of the Year: Refresh Earshot Jazz Magazine is excited to make the change to a color-printed magazine. NW Concert of the Year: From its inception in 1984, the newsletter, which later evolved into a magazine, was mostly printed in black and white. This year, we’ve decided to not only print in NW Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year: color, but also to update the fonts, logos, and section headings, along with other stylistic elements. Helping us in this en- Emerging Artist of the Year: deavor is longtime Earshot Jazz design collaborator Carl Lierman. These changes follow in the footsteps of changes we began in January 2020, when we started a NW Vocalist of the Year: new publishing partnership with Yakima Herald-Republic. Earshot Jazz looks for- ward to producing a visually enhanced Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame: and expressive magazine for our readers. Our next plans include enhancing the web version of our magazine. Special Awards:

Got some news or a story you’d like our readers to know about? Contact [email protected] for consideration.

4 EARSHOTJAZZ January 2021 UPDATE South Hudson Music Project It goes without saying that the pandemic has brought the live music industry to a screeching halt. Concert halls have been emptied, tour buses are sitting idle, and even the largest music festivals have shuttered their entrance gates. However, the venues that have suffered the most are those at the very core of the musical ecosystem: our local clubs—sacred spaces where audience members can pay a mod- est cover charge to hear live music any night of the week, where musicians can gather and exchange ideas over a drink, challenging one another to raise the bar and elevate their art form, where young up-and-comers can seek mentorship from seasoned professionals, where musicians and music lovers can find a sense of be- longing and community. COVID-19 has Marina Albero photo by Lisa Hagen Glynn forced some clubs to close their doors port of our community, and under the registering as a 501(c)(3). The lineup will forever—most recently the Jazz Standard leadership of Executive Director Wayne feature a multitude of Seattle treasures, in New York—but most music clubs were Horvitz, the SHMP has kept live music and will represent the incredibly diverse already operating on razor-thin margins alive at The Royal Room. Shortly after community that calls The Royal Room and facing a multitude of challenges the onset of COVID-19, we partnered home: Sera Cahoone, Ayesha Brooks, before having to reckon with a global with Live Concerts Stream to present the Marina Albero, Ahamefule J. Oluo, Alex pandemic. The loss of Seattle’s beloved Staycation Festival; we’ve since streamed Guy, Jeff Fielder, Sheridan Riley, J.R. Tula’s in 2019 is still an open wound. over 50 performances live from The Royal Rhodes, Kathy Moore, Benjamin Hunter, Now more than ever, there is a sense of Room stage, connecting local musicians Skerik, Robin Holcomb, James Falzone, urgency about supporting our local musi- in need of work with local audiences in Victoria Parker, Cristina Valdés, Reggie cians and preserving the local live music need of the spiritual fulfilment that only Garrett, Ray Larsen, and Sweeter Than infrastructure that allows them to thrive. live music can provide. the Day, among others. Tune in at 5:30pm The South Hudson Music Project (SHMP) When we all emerge from the pandemic, on January 24. If you’d like to learn more was founded in 2018 to support the pre- and we’re once again able to experience about SHMP, or make a donation to our sentation of music at The Royal Room, the magic of live music in a physical cause, you can do so at shmproject.org. a cherished cornerstone of the Seattle space, SHMP will be the primary music We hope you’ll join us! music scene. Just a few months ago, presenter at The Royal Room, ensuring we successfully registered as a 501(c) –WILLEM DE KOCH, BOARD PRESIDENT, that live music will have a home in south SOUTH HUDSON MUSIC PROJECT (3) organization, allowing us to accept Seattle and that local musicians will be tax-deductible donations to support our compensated for their invaluable art- mission: to develop, promote, and pres- istry. The Royal Room will provide the ent innovative musical collaborations food, booze, and space, and SHMP will TUNE IN crossing boundaries of genre, culture, provide the music. However, we won’t “Solos for a Brand New Day” generation, and neighborhood in order be able to do it without the support of Sunday, January 24 to strengthen and engage our commu- our community. On Sunday, January 24, 5:30pm Livestream nity. When the pandemic hit, many of we will present “Solos for a Brand New shmproject.org us feared that The Royal Room would Day,” our first fundraising concert since not survive. Thanks to the generous sup-

January 2021 EARSHOTJAZZ 5 PROFILE Elnah Jordan: Where She Needs to Be

BY PAUL RAUCH Elnah Jordan is a strong woman who deeply appreciates where she is today. Her journey in life and music has included a multitude of unforeseen highs and lows. She has survived time on the street, serious medical issues, and a devastating twenty-year absence from the thread in her life that carried the most mean- ing—her music. Before knowing anything about the blues, she gained intimate knowledge of their workings simply by living her own life. Her journey has led her to be a focused artist of great power and humility, whose voice encapsulates the blues/jazz tradition in no uncertain terms. “The universe puts you where you need to be,” she observes. Jordan’s roots in music date back to her childhood in church, where her mom was the full-time pianist. That immersion in gospel music would become the foundation for her personal sound. Her Seattle- raised family was military and moved around the country, ultimately settling in and around the San Francisco area. Jordan’s formative years were then spent in the Haight-Ashbury and North Beach neighborhoods of the city. She took her Elnah Jordan at the 2020 Earshot Jazz Festival music to the street, singing and playing was discovered singing on the street by Hendricks would take her under his wing, guitar for tips in the Cannery/Fisherman’s legendary jazz vocalist Jon Hendricks, invite her into his home, and guide her Wharf area. and subsequently plucked from obscu- for a substantial two-year run. She also “I ended up being a street musician rity and into the title role of the Bessie met saxophonist Hadley Caliman on the there. I played guitar and a lot of folk Smith-inspired musical, “The Evolution gig, a connection that would take root music back then,” she recalls. “I made a of the Blues.” Jordan’s thunderous voice in the Bay Area and blossom in Seattle lot of money down there doing that, and had caught the ear of Hendricks, the pro- a few years later. I don’t really have a problem going back ducer of the show’s run in San Francisco. “Jon Hendricks picked me up off the out there, if I have to,” she says in a nod Ironically, she knew little to nothing about street, and I lived with him and his family to current times. the iconic Smith. Her roots in gospel, in the whole time I did the show,” she says Jordan spent some time in theater, re- church with her mother seated behind recalling his kindness. ceiving the coveted Cabaret Gold Award the piano, would ultimately give her the Jordan would then enter a stage of her for her performance in the off-Broadway tools she needed to succeed. life where her music faded away and larger musical drama, “Street Dreams.” But get- “That was my very first introduction. I concerns of family would demand most ting back to her assertion of the universe didn’t even know who she was,” recalls of her time. The stress and hardship that positioning us where we need to be, she Jordan. accompanied that period would lead to

6 EARSHOTJAZZ January 2021 memory loss symptoms due to being im- “People think I’m entertaining, but from tough times to her respected place properly cross-medicated. Music would go I’m not, I’m purging, and I’m taking you on the vibrant Seattle jazz scene. Music by the wayside for some twenty years. In with me,” quips Jordan. “They think they was truly a medium of healing, perhaps time, she began to get her medical issues came to see me, but I came to see them.” helping to explain the intimate connec- straightened out. Artistically, the best was No matter in which direction she decides tion they share in performance. yet to come. Her musical re-emergence to take her music on a given evening, there “He was so patient with me and my was assisted gracefully by the open arms is that unshakeable bond with the blues memory loss, just a real calming effect. I of the jazz community in Seattle. that comes across loud and clear, that trust him totally, in everything we do. We “I didn’t sing for twenty years. I thought shouts from a deep well of spirituality, think so much alike. Musically, we can go I was done, and then I started hosting offering hope and resolution. Her roots, anywhere, anytime. I know he’s got my karaoke to get my chops back. I didn’t her life, has taken her to this place, where back, and he has a great sense of humor. know anybody in the jazz community, she can be most expressive. Verlinde’s I’ve learned so much from him, and he’s but I refused not to sing, even if I had intuitive accompaniment is an agent the same age as my son,” she exclaims. Jordan recently received a 4Culture grant to perform music as a means of healing “When you can bring them some in senior communities, augmenting skills she already has gained in working with joy, and see it in their eyes, it’s hospice patients. The joy she provides this audience is equaled only by the joy wonderful.” she in turn receives. “When you can bring them some joy, to use a lyric sheet. I’ve been so blessed of release, allowing her to fearlessly go and see it in their eyes, it’s wonderful,” since. I met Reggie Goings, and Hadley where the moment leads her, knowing says Jordan. was here. I’ve met so many great people, the support will be there. No matter where her audience experi- I’ve been embraced,” she says. “I used to fight the stereotype of the ences her music, Jordan will continue to For the past eleven years, Jordan has per- blues. They see a big, black woman, and draw from the blues/jazz tradition, into formed largely with pianist Eric Verlinde, they automatically think you sing the the heart of the matter, with no frills or in both duo and larger band settings. The blues. I stayed away from it for a while, artificial thrills. Just the truth, please. bond they’ve formed through music has and then I actually got the blues. Then “I don’t do tricks with my voice. I con- led to a friendship and understanding I understood,” says Jordan. centrate on the warmth of it, and blend- that is unique and timeless. The depth Verlinde’s role in Jordan’s resurgence ing with other instruments,” she says. “I of Jordan’s soul seems to spill out with goes far beyond his beautiful voicings, like to keep it simple, that way it’s pure. each performance, drawing the audience his rhythmic drive, and overall mastery If I feel it, they’ll feel it. Then we can get into the fray, with joyous results. of his instrument. He played a prominent warm and fuzzy together.” role in her recovery and transformation

January 2021 EARSHOTJAZZ 7 FEATURE Jazz Instructors Directory In an effort to provide a space for Seattle area jazz instructors to promote their teaching practice, Earshot Jazz Magazine recently reached out to instructors in our community. We’ve recreated the directory to include updates including virtual methods of teaching. We realize this list is incomplete; if you’d like to be included in the online list, please send your details to [email protected].

Offers indi- Google Hangouts, Teams, and FaceTime. dangreenblattmusic.com, dlgreenblatt@ vidualAlexander and group Chadsey. lessons ages 8 and up Arturo still teaches live lessons at: Artspace hotmail.com in piano & jazz piano (all levels), music Mount Baker Lofts, 2915 Rainier Ave. S. #316, Seattle, WA 98144. All his lessons Offers indi- theory & composition, jazz harmony & Debby Boland Watt. improvisation, via Zoom, Skype, Garage- are unique and tailored to meet the vidual and group lessons to ages 16 and up Band, and Google Hangouts. Alexander students’ needs and direction. Arturo in voice, via Zoom. Debby teaches from loves helping students of all ages and at teaches many styles including pop, funk, beginning to advanced/professional voice any point in their musical journey with a Latin, jazz, fusion, country, and rock. His levels. Known as a master teacher, strong goal to support students in discovering a three method books can be accessed on vocalist, and improvisational performance sure and steady path to realizing their full his website. Contact: arturorodriguez. artist, Debby’s technical instruction em- musical potential. Contact: alexchadsey. com, [email protected], braces classical, folk & spiritual, pop, jazz com; [email protected]; Facebook, 206-276-6401 & free improvisation, a cappella circle Instagram @duendemusica; 206-372-6368 singing, and spoken word genres. Debby Offers individual les- also offers vocal preparation toward audi- Birch Pereira. Offers individual and sons to all ages in upright/electric bass tions and performances, and encourages groupAnna lessons Doak. to ages 3 and up in double and ukulele all levels as well as piano recording sessions as a strong motive for bass via Zoom. Contact: basschurch.com, and guitar at the intermediate level, via study. Contact: debbybolandwatt.com, [email protected], 206-784-6626 Zoom JamKazam. Contact: birchpereira@ [email protected] gmail.com Offers individual lessons Offers group lessons Amy Denio. Offers individual toDina adults Blade. in voice, via Zoom. Contact: to all ages in technical skill on saxophone, Carlos Snaider. voice, piano, guitar, accordion, and clari- lessons to all ages in guitar, improvisa- dinablade.com, dinablade@dinablade. net, as well as ear training, improvising, tion, and composition via Zoom. Contact: com, 206-524-8283 composing, and audio production via carlossnaider.com, carlossnaidermusic@ gmail.com Offers individual Zoom, Skype, and WhatsApp. Contact: Evan Woodle. [email protected] lessons to all ages in drums, via Zoom. Offers individual Evan has been a professional teacher Chuck Deardorf. Offers individual lessons to high schoolers and above in since 2008—started with a snare drum lessonsAnn Reynolds. to ages 8 and up in jazz piano acoustic bass, electric bass, and impro- in fourth grade and never stopped! A and Latin music, via Zoom and Face- visation techniques, via Zoom. Chuck graduate of University of Washington (BM, Time. Contact: annreynoldsmusic.com; teaches intermediate and advanced players Cum Laude, Jazz Studies) and Roosevelt [email protected] primarily. Contact: chuckdeardorf.com, High School, Evan makes sure to teach [email protected] students what they are most interested in Offers indi- while also providing them with a strong Arturo Rodriguez. Offers individual musical foundation they can apply to vidual lessons to ages 5 years and up in Dan Greenblatt. drum set and Latin percussion: congas, and group lessons to all ages in saxophone, any path! Contact: evanwoodle.com, timbales, bongos, cajon, bata, shekere, flute, improvisation, harmony, and com- [email protected] guiro, and maracas via Zoom, Skype, position via Zoom and Skype. Contact:

8 EARSHOTJAZZ January 2021 Offers individual lessonsFarko to Dosumov. all ages in electric bass, via Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime. Students will require IReal Pro App for lessons. Contact: 206-372-5403

Offers individual les- sonsGreg for Sinibaldi. advanced students in saxophone, EWI, synthesis, and composition, via Zoom and Skype. Contact: gregsinibaldi. com, [email protected]

Offers individual andGreg group Williamson. lessons to all ages in drum set, vibes, percussion, scoring, and big band instruction, via Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, FTF, and asynchronous email with recordings. Contact: [email protected]

Offers individual lessonsGreta to Matassa. ages 14 and up in jazz voice, master classes, clinics, and career guidance, via Zoom and FaceTime. Greta has been voted Earshot Jazz Vocalist of the year seven times and has also been inducted into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame. Con- tact: gretamatassa.com, gretamatassa@ comcast.net, 206-941-2770

Offers individual lessonsHeather to ages Bentley. 10 and up in violin and viola, via Zoom. Heather offers traditional string training plus improvising in a not-exactly-jazz way. Contact: heather@ heatherbentleymusic.com

Offers individual lessonsJake Bergevin.to middle and high school students in trumpet, via Zoom, SmartMusic, Audacity, MusicTheory.net, SoundTrap, and other options. Jake focuses on total musicianship including music theory, ear training, for all styles of trumpet. Contact: jakebergevinmusic.com

Offers individual and groupJay Thomas. lessons to all ages teaching trumpet, saxophone, and flute as well as jazz improvisation on any instrument, via Zoom, Skype, and over the phone. He covers material essential for the modern jazz player and also emphasizes how to practice. Jay taught jazz band at Garfield

January 2021 EARSHOTJAZZ 9 High School for over ten years and suc- work with any student regardless of age or Offers individual cessfully ran the big band at South Seattle experience level—even if they don’t own lessonsJulie Cascioppo.to all ages in singing and care of Community College also for ten years. any gear. Contact: joeeckmusic@gmail. the voice/coaching on performance/sing- As well as teaching at the UW, Cornish com, 651-894-2059 ing overseas, via Zoom. Julie performs on College, and Centrum Jazz Camps, Jay Facebook Live every Friday night at 7pm. also teaches in upstate New York and Offers individual Contact: juliesings.com, 206-286-2740 Alaska. Contact: [email protected] lessonsJohn toHansen. ages 8 and up in piano and keyboard, via Zoom, Skype, and Whereby. Offers individual and group Offers individual Contact: [email protected], Kat Bula. Jean Chaumont. lessons to tweens, teens, and adults, in lessons to ages 7 and up in jazz guitar, 206-890-3685 fiddle and violin, via Zoom. Contact: composition, film-scoring, via Zoom and katbula.com, [email protected] Muzie Live. Contact: jeanchaumont.com, Offers indi- Jovino Santos Neto. [email protected], 609-216-9528 vidual lessons to all ages in piano, theory, Offers individual lessons composition, music history, via Zoom, toKate middle Olson. schoolers and above in primar- Offers individual and group Skype, Google Hangouts, and FaceTime. Joe Eck. ily the saxophone, as well as flute and lessons to all ages in drum set and percus- Contact: jovisan.net/lessons.html, jovino@ clarinet, via Zoom. Contact: kateplayssax. sion, via Zoom and Skype. Joe is open to jovisan.net or 206.276.3113 com, [email protected]

Offers individual andKelley group Johnson. lessons to all ages in jazz singing and coaching at all levels including understanding harmony, band leading and arranging, beginning and intermediate jazz piano, and improvisation, via Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts, FaceTime, MS Teams, and Whereby. Kelley is an international, award-winning vocalist: among them are U.S. State Department Jazz Ambassadors Touring and Teaching Artist, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Seattle- Kobe Sister City Association Female Jazz Vocalist, International JazzConnect Competition, and Earshot Jazz Vocalist of the Year. Contact: kelleyjohnson.com, [email protected], 206-890-2267 (texting is preferred)

Offers individual and groupKelsey lessons Mines. to all ages in upright and electric bass, as well as music theory, via Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, and UpBeat. Kelsey teaches a variety of genres, centering lessons around technique and musicianship so that each student is equipped to pursue their individual interests. Music theory lessons are not instrument- or genre- specific. Contact: kelseyminesbass.com, [email protected], 206-427-1310

Offers individual lessons toKiki adults Valera. in Cuban cuatro, tres and guitar,

10 EARSHOTJAZZ January 2021 via Zoom and Skype. Contact: kikivalera. Neil teaches grade school, 5–12, adult, Offers individual com, [email protected] semi-professional, and professional. andRonan group Delisle. lessons to all ages in guitar, Whether you are a beginning student or composition, and theory, via Zoom and Offers individual and a professional musician, there is a place Leanna Keith. Skype. Contact: ronandelislemusic@ group lessons to ages 8 and up in flute, for you with Neil. Neil has over 15 years gmail.com piccolo, alto flute, bass flute, improvisa- of experience as a private teacher, includ- tion, and composition, via Zoom and ing classroom and nonprofit instruction Offers individual lessons Skype. Contact: leannakeithflute.com for Seattle’s leading music education toRyan all ages Burns. in piano, bass, and guitar with [email protected] organizations. He believes strongly in a specialty in intermediate to advanced the power of mentorship, and knows jazz piano, via Zoom and in person. Ryan Offers individual and that private lessons provide students an Marc Smason. is Berklee taught. Contact: burienschool. group lessons to all ages in trombone—all opportunity to grow as artists and as com, [email protected] styles and levels, as well as voice, theory, people. Neil has a passion for teaching and composition, percussion and dijeridu, and community-building, and always Offers via Zoom, Skype, JamKazam, and Google works hard to create a fun, engaging individualSamantha and Boshnack.group lessons to ages Hangouts. Marc can also teach outdoors environment for every member of his 10 and up in trumpet, via Zoom. Con- social-distanced. Contact: marcsmason. studio. Contact: neilwelch.com/lessons, tact: boshnackmusic.com, sboshnack@ com, [email protected], 206- [email protected] hotmail.com, 206-412-7350 261-6445 Offers individual and Offers individual Offers jazz groupOsama lessons Afifi. to all ages in upright bass Susan Palmer. Murl Allen Sanders. lessons to ages 10 and up in guitar, via piano and accordion instruction. Murl and electric bass, via Zoom and Face- Facetime and Skype. Susan teaches the is interested in working with motivated Time. Osama teaches from beginners to fundamentals of music using a clear intermediate level young people. Contact: advanced players. Contact: osamaafifi@ structure that is tailored to each student’s [email protected], 206-781- hotmail.com, 206-877-2285 goals and learning style. Susan wrote 8196 (text/voice) “The Guitar Lesson Companion” method Offers individual book series to help make teaching and Offers individual lessons lessonsPeter to Cramer. ages 8 and up in piano, voice, Neil Welch. learning the fundamentals of music easier saxophone (all voices), clarinet, and im- saxophone, clarinet, and flute, via Zoom, and more effective, and today thousands provisation on all instruments, via Zoom. Skype, Google Hangouts, and video call. of guitarists use these books. Susan also Areas of focus include: foundational studies, Peter also teaches theory, transcription, offers a free five-year online course based technical advancement in concert band and arranging. Contact: petercramer- off the syllabus she used while teaching and jazz band, the art of improvisation, music.com, [email protected], guitar at Seattle University from 2006–18. building skill and confidence in the jazz 612-308-5248 Contact: leadcatpress.com language, and exploratory improvisation.

January 2021 EARSHOTJAZZ 11 MEET THE BOARD Chris Icasiano This year, Earshot Jazz would like to introduce you to our board members. They’re a group whose work often goes unnoticed by the broader public, but we value their expertise and their dedication to Earshot Jazz. Each month you’ll meet someone new—in January, please meet Christopher Icasiano.

What is your name, board position, and to bringing a lens of social justice to each internationally with bands of all types of pronouns? aspect of the organization’s operations. different genres. I’ve been an organizer in My name is Christopher Icasiano (he/ the greater Seattle music community for they) and I am the newly appointed Ear- Tell us a little about yourself: professional Racer Sessions, Table & Chairs, Origin shot Jazz board president. background, interests, talents, and Records, Ballard Jazz Festival, and Seattle anything you’d like to share? Improvised Music Festival. How long have you served on the Earshot Most importantly, I’m Filipino, which means that I love cooking adobo and Jazz board? What other board positions 2020 has been a challenging year. What have you held, if any? other organization or I’ve served on the board individual has stood out for about 6 years? Maybe to you this year? a little longer? I don’t I’m continually inspired know...what is time any- by Social Justice Fund more? NW, an organization that builds progressive What led you to join the power through donor Earshot Jazz board? Back when John Gil- activism. breath approached me Is there anything else about joining the board, I you’d like to share? had for several years been My partner and I just leading the arts organiza- had a baby, whose name tion Table & Chairs and is Leo and is the light of the weekly music series our lives. In these tumul- Racer Sessions. As an arts tuous social and politi- organizer and a working cal times, I’m thinking musician, joining the deeply about the world Earshot Jazz board was Chris Icasiano photo courtesy of Chris Icasiano that we’re bringing this a great opportunity to little person into, and use my skills to serve the Seattle Jazz lumpia for my friends and family. This longing for it to be better. In the last community—a community that fostered also means that I love karaoke and will several years, I’ve been working to build my own education and growth. definitely throw down some Boyz II Men the community that I want for myself and SWV right out the gate. and I’m now realizing that the impact of Tell us something you’re proud of that In my professional life, I’m committed that work is two-fold, because not only Earshot has achieved. to anti-racist and anti-sexist organizing I’m very proud that, in addition to do I get to benefit from it, but I get to within Seattle’s DIY and art communities adapting and evolving to the needs of the rest assured that Leo will come up in a in order to create more accessible and Seattle jazz community amidst a global community that holds, nurtures, and sees safer spaces. I am a working musician and pandemic, Earshot Jazz has also taken them for who they are. This is my vision teacher with an extensive background in very seriously the call to action in the for the Earshot Jazz—a place where the jazz. I perform extensively in the Seattle Movement for Black Lives. We have a lot of community (including my child) can feel area and regularly tour nationally and work to do and have made a commitment held, nurtured, and seen.

12 EARSHOTJAZZ January 2021 FOR THE RECORD brato on her solo for “Longing for Spring Josh Hou Breeze,” which features words sung by Hou himself. Larsen’s talkative trumpet Feeling of Home brings a tender curiosity to Mines’ steady SELF-RELEASED foundation; Taitano also effuses a play- Accordionist Josh Hou’s last album, ful quality on tunes like “Wind,” which 2019’s Bilingualism, established the voice rambles lightheartedly as it would during of a composer/instrumentalist at home a jam at a local club. between two languages, on an instrument The album’s closer, “Tears of a Lover,” with a cosmopolitan history. Collaborating touches on some bittersweet truths that with local trumpeter Raymond Larsen on seem to transcend the pastoral context tracks like “Theme from Sunset Glow at of the album. In his liner notes, Hou Xishuangbanna,” Hou brought together Along these lines, Hou’s brought in the poses the question, what kind of place is his love for plaintive, landscape-evoking sounds of one of his homes, recording with home? What kind of refuge, or safe place? melodies in the Chinese tradition, with Wan Pin Chu on the violin-like zhonghu, And though the core of Hou’s project is the improvisational verve of jazz. On Sarah Heng on the guzheng, a plucked straight-ahead, its execution has some his latest release, Feeling of Home, Hou zither, and flutist Leanna Keith on the interesting consequences. Recording returns, along with Larsen, bassist Kelsey dizi. On “Hometown Food,” Keith plays from their own studios, the musicians Mines, and drummer Tai Taitano, for a passionately, and Heng’s bent tones and play with an earnest longing that could meditation on being at home in between. clips turn the song’s paean to taste into be for the tastes and places Hou suggests, Hou certainly has a knack for synthesiz- an earnest celebration of small beauties. or another time, which the record, by as- ing musical vernaculars, and the minia- Hou’s writing and improvising retains sembling their separate parts, replicates ture nature of his multi-reed instrument its range of genre: catch his sweeping, in a sounds’ home away from home. sometimes recalls the traditional free reed organ-like glissandos on the soul number sheng, one of China’s oldest instruments. “Love, Love, Love,” or Mines’ delicate vi- –IAN GWIN

The slick blues number “Boogaloo Bird” Ryan Burns follows, featuring guitarist Cole Schuster’s understated vintage blue-note tone. Mark Postponed Parade Taylor lends his smooth garnishings on SELF-RELEASED alto to the redemptive fusion ballad “Night For his latest, keyboardist Ryan Burns’ School,” also featuring work by trombon- newest brings us some ‘70s funk for a ist Jacob Herring. On “Subdued Mood,” sundry taste of Seattle soul revival. Also percussionist Thione Diop brings his an accomplished bassist and teacher, intricate work on the talking drum over Burns recruited locals like Skerik, Steve Burns’ afro-beat style bass and keyboards. Treseler (saxophones), and Jason Goessl Featuring the chameleonic Treseler, (guitar) to record a series of singles. The the title track is a free-wheeling tune the results, collected here, are remarkably type of which Stanley Turrentine might cogent despite the physical separation For his solo, Harper’s thrumming strings have juiced for its calypso bounce. A from our ongoing quarantine. emerge like a skeleton from a whole body little less tongue-in-cheek, Geoff Harper Burns’ collaborative spirit and efficient of thoughts, wordlessly pronouncing the (bass), Matt Jorgenson (drums), and Brian compositions paint evocative pictures. bottom of things—as if even the decay Monroney (guitar) bring the erratic grit Drummer Max Holmberg states the core of sound is a matter of spirit. It’s a stark of a real working group on “Shoreline,” bass-snare alternation with the funky path, but the group seamlessly veers back a mean modal tune with hints of McCoy opener, “Up & Up,” which features war- to the head. That’s long been the business Tyner. Monroney’s floating harmonies bling stereo synth solos by Burns. Skerik of music, one Burns and his local soul- and dissonances, like wisps of clouds delivers a shivering solo on the song’s strutters let sink in as they wait out the and the curb of light, recreate the area’s ratcheting harmonies, juxtaposed by long delay to their next live performance. suburban pastoral. descending blues lines. –IAN GWIN

January 2021 EARSHOTJAZZ 13 FEATURE New Music Roundup As a shout-out to local musicians, Earshot Jazz presents the “new music roundup.” Included are both singles and albums that Seattle area artists have created or released in the last year or so. Albums are distinguished by italics, and singles by quotations marks. Links are provided—explore the wealth of talent in the community and show your support to artists by making a purchase. We acknowledge this list is incomplete; tell us about other new works at [email protected].

Afrocop: Noel Brass Jr., Andy Sells & CHA: Carol J. Levin, Amelia Love Clear- Folks Project: Darrius Willrich, Evan Carlos Tullos heart & Heather Bentley Flory-Barnes & D’Vonne Lewis Afrocop, Moondust, Self-released (July 2020) CHA, Remembering Backward, Right Folks Project, Live at The Triple Door, afrocop.bandcamp.com Brain Records (February 2020) Self-released (February 2020) chasea.bandcamp.com folksproject.bandcamp.com Andy Sells & Noel Brass Jr. Andy Sells and Noel Brass Jr., “Uneasy Chris Icasiano Frank Kohl Entropy,” Self-released (December 2020) Chris Icasiano, Provinces, Origin Re- Frank Kohl, The Crossing, Self-released noelbrassjr.bandcamp.com cords (February 2020) (January 2020) originarts.com frankkohl.com Ann Reynolds Ann Reynolds, Clave Gringa, Joy, Self- Chuck Deardorf Greg Sinibaldi released (March 2019) Chuck Deardorf, Perception, Origin Re- Greg Sinibaldi, Voices, Self-released (Au- annreynoldsclavegringa.bandcamp.com cords (2020) gust 2019) Ann Reynolds, “A Delightful Wacki- originarts.com gregsinibaldi.bandcamp.com ness” (June 2020) Dina Blade Greg Williamson soundcloud.com/annpianista Dina Blade, Shall We Dance? Joyswing Greg Williamson, Jazz Traditions A Col- Records (February 2019) lection of Drum Set Teaching—a written Amy Denio guide in paperback (August 2019) Amy Denio, “Mumbai (12,759/420),” dinablade.com/recordings Self-released (April 2020) amazon.com Tiptons Sax Quartet, Wabi Sabi, Self- Duende Libre: Alex Chadsey, Farko Dosumov & Jeff Busch Greta Matassa released (2020) Duende Libre, The Dance She Spoke, Greta Matassa, Portrait, Origin (June amydenio.bandcamp.com/music Self-released (July 2020) 2019) duendelibre.bandcamp.com originarts.com Arturo Rodriguez Arturo Rodriguez, A Little Rice and EarthtoneSkytone: Kelsey Mines & Jay Thomas Beans, Self-released (2020) Jay Thomas with the Oliver Groenewald Carlos Snaider arturorodriguez.com EarthtoneSkytone, “Tend Towards Newnet, I Always Knew, Origin (2018) Whispers,” Self-released (April 2020) originarts.com Bad News Botanists: Frank Vitolo, Colin EarthtoneSkytone, “Sky Below,” Self- Jay Thomas, Matt Wilson & Friends, Pulkrabek, Andy Short, Rob Homan, released (April 2020) High Crimes and Misdemeanors, Marina Christopher & Chris Patin Bad News Botanists, Indignation, Self- earthtoneskytone.bandcamp.com/music McVouty Records (2020) released (October 2020) [email protected] Evan Woodle badnewsbotanists.bandcamp.com Heatwarmer, Electric City, Self-released Jean Chaumont (March 2020) Jean Chaumont, The Beauty of Differ- Birch Pereira and the Gin Joints Birch Pereira and the Gin Joints, “Any- heatwarmer.bandcamp.com ences, Misfitmemusic (June 2018) time,” “You Know It Hurts Me,” and My jeanchaumont.bandcamp.com Wanderin’ Eyes,” Self-released (2020) theginjointsband.com

14 EARSHOTJAZZ January 2021 Josh Hou Kate Olson Ronan Delisle Josh Hou, Bilingualism, Self-released KO Ensemble, KO Ensemble Live at the Ronan Delisle, Marveling, Self-released (September 2019) Royal Room, Self-released (January 2020) (June 2020) Josh Hou, Feeling of Home, Self-released KO Solo, Homeland, Self-released ronandelisle.bandcamp.com (November 2020) (March, 2020) joshhou.bandcamp.com KO Solo, “Quarantine Boogie,” Self- Ryan Burns released (May 2020) Ryan Burns, Postponed Parade, Self- released (November 2020) Kelley Johnson kosolo.bandcamp.com Kelley Johnson, Something Good, OA2 ryanburnsmusic.bandcamp.com Records (July 2019) Marina Albero originarts.com Marina Albero, A Life Soundtrack, Self- SassyBlack released (December 2019) SassyBlack, Stuck, Self-released (Novem- ber 2020) Kiki Valera marinaalbero.net Kiki Valera, Vivencias en Clave Cubana, sassyblack.bandcamp.com Origin Records (October 2019) Neil Welch kikivalera.bandcamp.com Neil Welch, After The Rain, Self-released Sundae + Mr. Goessl: Kate Voss & Jason (June 2019) Goessl Sundae + Mr. Goessl, Fun & Fancy, Self- Jenny Davis neilwelch.bandcamp.com Jenny Davis, Rearranged, Three Penny released (March 2020) Records (February 2020) sundaeandmrgoessl.com Nelda Swiggett jennydavisjazz.com Nelda Swiggett Quintet, The Alaska Suite, Moving Room Productions (2020) Steve Treseler Steve Treseler, Snow Line Suite, Com- Jovino Santos Neto neldaswiggett.com Jovino Santos Neto, The Player’s mon Tone Records (March 2020) Lounge Quartet, Live from the Player’s stevetres.bandcamp.com Lounge, Self-released (February 2020) RAE: Ronan Delisle, Abbey Blackwell & Evan Woodle Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto, Canto do RAE, Internal Volume, Self-released (Au- Ted Poor Rio, Liquid City (March 2020) gust 2020) Ted Poor, You Already Know, Impulse Records (February 2020) Jovino Santos Neto, The Journey Of the rae-music.bandcamp.com Curumim, Self-released (April 2020) tedpoor.com Jovino Santos Neto, Imaginary Dances, Raymond Larsen Self-released (May 2020) Raymond Larsen, Songs to Fill the Air, Thomas Marriott Slow and Steady Records (April 2020) Thomas Marriott, Trumpet Ship, Origin Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto, Bebê, Self- Records (March 2020) raymondlarsen.bandcamp.com released (August 2020) originarts.com Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto, Red Vel- Rochelle House vet, Self-released (November 2020) Rochelle House, Earth on Fire, House Victor Janusz Victor Janusz, A Song to Love, Self- jovinosantosneto.bandcamp.com/music Records (December 2019) released (July 2020) rochellehouse.net victorjanuszband.hearnow.com

January 2021 EARSHOTJAZZ 15 NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE 3417 Fremont Ave N, #221 PAID PERMIT No. 14010 Seattle, WA 98103 SEATTLE, WA Change Service Requested

Elnah Jordan photo by Steve Parent

IN THIS ISSUE MembershipYour membership helps support all our community programs and Letter From The Director: concert presentations. It also brings the magazine to your door and Now Serving Number 21! 2 entitles you to discounts at Earshot events. Become a member today! q Individual Membership $60/yr Notes 3 q Household Membership $96/yr q Patron Membership $150/yr q Golden Ear Awards: Nominations 4 Sustaining Membership $300/yr q Discounted Membership $36/yr available for Update: South Hudson Music Project 5 ___ Senior Citizens ___ Students ___ Veterans Other q Profile: Elnah Jordan To receive newsletter First Class mail please add $10 6 q Additional Donation included for $______Jazz Instructors Directory 8 NAME

ADDRESS Meet the Board: Chris Icasiano 12

For the Record: Josh Hou & Ryan Burns 13 CITY/STATE/ZIP PHONE # EMAIL

Earshot Jazz is a nonprofit tax-exempt organization. Ask your employer if your companyhas a New Music Roundup 14 matching gift program. It can easily double the value of your membership or donation. Mail: Earshot Jazz, 3417 Fremont Ave N, #221, Seattle, WA 98103 Online: earshot.org/membership