A Mirror and Focus for the Jazz Community April 2019 Vol. 35, No. 04 EARSHOT JAZZSeattle, Washington Golden Ear Award Recipients Top Row: Jovino Santos Neto, Randy Halberstadt, D’Vonne Lewis, Jacqueline Tabor, Wally Shoup, Michael Brockman Bottom Row: Rob Homan, Andrew Morrill, Marina Albero, Victor Nguyen, Drew Pine, Rob Granfelt Photo by Daniel Sheehan LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR EARSHOT JAZZ A Mirror and Focus for the Jazz Community A Celebration of Executive Director John Gilbreath Managing Director Karen Caropepe Acknowledgements Programs Manager Tara Peters Marketing & Development Associate Lucienne Aggarwal Earshot Jazz Editors Lucienne Aggarwal & As you can see by Daniel Sheehan’s photo on this month’s cover, the Tara Peters recent Golden Ear awards party at the Royal Room was a huge success. Contributing Writers Halynn Blanchard, Riffing on the title from Evan Flory-Barnes’ earlier creative opus,Acknowl - Marianne Gonterman, Ian Gwin, Andrew edgement of a Celebration, this annual awards program is a celebration of Luthringer, Peter Monaghan, Paul Rauch, acknowledgements, honoring the brilliant work done by Seattle’s estab- Carlos Snaider lished and emerging artists over the previous year. And the field was rich. Calendar Editors Casey Adams, Jane This year’s recipients were selected from a record number of votes, and Emerson, & Tara Peters once again exemplify the breadth and beauty of Seattle’s world-class Photography Daniel Sheehan jazz scene. Layout Tara Peters In fact, Seattle’s jazz scene itself is a shining example of the excellence and Distribution Karen Caropepe, Dan Dubie & multiplicity of approaches that are making this such an exciting time for Earshot Jazz volunteers jazz around the world. The Earshot Jazz organization has always embraced Send Calendar Information to: an expansive view of the art form. Earshot’s 33-year presenting history is [email protected] full of names of the adventurous seekers who have helped to pave the way Board of Directors Danielle Leigh for the richness of today’s scene, much as the artists we’ll present in the (President), John W. Comerford (Vice President), Jon Perrino (Secretary), Sheila coming months are blazing a trail to tomorrow. Hughes, Chris Icasiano, Maurice James, Our April concerts provide a fascinating ride down the freeway of jazz Chris Nutter, Gail Pettis, Ruby Smith Love, in the present tense. From the New Orleans pianist Sullivan Fortner’s Diane Wah fresh refinements of the traditional jazz piano trio, to drummer Makaya McCraven’s advancements of Chicago’s commitment to creative musicians, Emeritus Board Members Clarence Acox, Taina Honkalehto, Hideo Makihara, Peter and on to the emerging vision and artistry of saxophonist María Grand. Monaghan, Kenneth W. Masters, Lola We are also pleased to offer the long-overdue Seattle appearance of gui- Pedrini, Paul Toliver, Cuong Vu tarist Miles Okazaki, with his incendiary Trickster quartet. A Whidbey Island native, Miles has been enriching the New York scene for a number Founded in 1984 by Paul de Barros, Gary Bannister, and Allen Youngblood. Earshot of years, and touring the world as part of Steve Coleman’s Five Elements Jazz is published monthly and is available group. He will appear here with everyone’s favorite pianist Matt Mitchell, online at earshot.org. and the searing funk of Coleman’s long-time rhythm team of Anthony Tidd and Sean Rickmann. Subscription (with membership): $35 As we charge into this spring however, we are planning for the summer 3429 Fremont Place #309 Seattle, WA 98103 and fall. We encourage Seattle artists to prepare a concept and submit an phone / (206) 547-6763 entry for the annual juried series, Jazz: The nd2 Century, which we’ll pres- ent on consecutive Thursdays in July, at the Chapel Performance Space. Earshot Jazz ISSN 1077-0984 Printed by Pacific Publishing Company And we encourage all of you to dive into this issue, join us at these fasci- © 2019 Earshot Jazz Society of Seattle nating concert opportunities, and clear the entire month of October for another supersonic jazz festival. Seattle is a jazz town. Let’s all get out to hear some live jazz this month!! MISSION STATEMENT See you out there. To ensure the legacy and progression –John Gilbreath of the art form, Earshot Jazz cultivates a vibrant jazz community by engaging audiences, celebrating artists, and supporting arts education. 2 • EARSHOT JAZZ • April 2019 NOTES U GiveBIG Returns May 8 ence, taking place in Boise, Idaho on CALL FOR ARTISTS Save the date for the annual day October 14–17, are now open. The of giving, now presented by 501 deadline to apply is April 19. The Jazz: The Second Century conference is a gathering of artists, Commons. GiveBIG is an important, Deadline May 31 24-hour display of community and their management, and presenters of generosity for the region’s nonprofit the performing arts. Attendees enjoy Earshot Jazz seeks submissions organizations. On May 8, maximize extensive professional development for the 2019 edition of the Jazz: your gift to Earshot Jazz by participat- opportunities through keynote pre- The Second Century concert se- ing in this community giving event. sentations, workshops, block-booking ries. The juried series brings the You can help with a donation at any sessions, networking opportunities, progression of Seattle jazz into level. More information available at and more. creative motion on the concert givebig2019.org. Voted on by all registered conference stage. One-hundred years into attendees, the Showcase Award Grant the art-form, what sonic shapes City of Music Career Day is presented to the artist or ensemble does jazz take in its second cen- The City of Music Career Day is a who best represents the excellence of tury? Projects that probe this free event for young people, ages 13- performing arts in our region. Be- question to expand the conven- 24, to spend the day with working yond the honor of being voted “best of tions of the jazz form are invited musicians and industry professionals show,” the award comes with a $5,000 for consideration. to learn what it takes to succeed in a tour support grant. Information and Seattle-area individual artists or competitive and rewarding world of application available at artsnw.org. groups are eligible to apply. Sub- music. Presented by the Seattle Music missions must include a recorded Café Nordo Debuts Jitterbug Commission and the City of Seattle’s sample of a project that can be Perfume and Celebrates Jazz Office of Film + Music in partner- performed in a concert setting. Appreciation Month ship with One Reel. The event takes We encourage applicants to in- place on April 26 at MOPOP and Café Nordo’s Culinarium debuts the clude a statement that speaks to Vera in the Seattle Center. More in- world premier theatrical adaptation of their musical interpretation of formation and registration available at Seattle author Tom Robbins’ cult-clas- the meaning of jazz and the pro- onereel.org. sic novel, Jitterbug Perfume. The pro- gression of the art form. duction is Nordo’s first solo adaptation 2019 Ballard Jazz Festival The submissions are evaluated and features a New Orleans jazz score through a blind-jury process. Announces Lineup composed by Annastasia Workman Jury members reflect the diverse The 2019 Ballard Jazz Festival and performed by Beth Fleenor and Seattle jazz community and in- runs from May 29–June 1. Art- Matt Manges. The multi-sensory ex- clude past Second Century art- ists include Ernie Watts with New perience includes a four-course dinner ists. A list of past Jazz: The Sec- Stories, Lage Lund, Dawn Clem- from award-winning chef, Erin Brind- ond Century artists and ensem- ent, Overton Berry, Kathy Moore, ley. The production runs now through bles can be viewed at earshot.org. John Stowell, Johnaye Kendrick, Jay May 12. 2019 Second Century artists Thomas, Gail Pettis, Xavier Lecou- Café Nordo’s newest lounge space, and ensembles perform across turier, Jacqueline Tabor, 200 Trio, the Knife Room, celebrates Jazz Ap- four Thursdays in July and are Nathan Breedlove, Rick Mandyck, preciation Month (JAM) with four paid a competitive fee for the and more. For more information, in- nights of jazz happening each Thurs- performance. cluding volunteer opportunities, visit day night in April. Featured artists in- Please send submissions ballardjazzfestival.com clude Brett Jensen, Bakbuk, Kate Voss, by May 31 electronically to Arts Northwest Conference and D’Vonne Lewis’ Limited Edition. [email protected] or by Application Deadline April 19 Individual tickets are $12 or purchase mail to Earshot Jazz, 3429 Fre- a JAM pass and save. Tickets and in- mont Place N, #309, Seattle, WA Performance showcase applica- formation available at cafenordo.com. 98103. tions for the Arts Northwest Confer- April 2019 • EARSHOT JAZZ • 3 Couth Buzzard Community Jazz or brass family instruments from The is one of the largest on the West coast Festival Returns Newcombe Foundation. Students attracting North American and Inter- The fourth annual community must be enrolling in grades 5-11 for national artists. Qualifying volunteers jazz festival hosted by Couth Buz- the following school year. The ap- can receive a volunteer festival pass, zard Bookstore and Café takes place plication includes an online essay work experience, and school credit. May 24–27. The festival features form and a letter of recommendation Information and application available Seattle musicians and shines a light from their music teacher. For more at coastaljazz.ca. on the valuable jazz community information and the application visit Matt Jorgensen’s Music growing in the Greenwood neigh- thenewcombefoundation.org. Commission for KCTS 9 borhood. For more information, visit Call for Volunteers for the TD Noted Northwest drummer and buonobuzzard.com. Vancouver International Jazz composer Matt Jorgensen was recently Opportunity for Students to Festival commissioned to write new themes Receive Instruments Applications for the TD Vancou- for Seattle’s PBS station, KCTS 9.