A Mirror and Focus for the Jazz Community May 2011 Vol. 27, No. 5 EARSHOT JAZZSeattle, Washington Chuck Deardorf Photo by Daniel Sheehan LETTER FROM THE NOTES DIRECTOR Aiko Shimada and Burnlist Ernestine Anderson and Carver Dear Jazz Fan, Headline Japan Benefit on May 14 Gayton Honored by Northwest With this May issue, we celebrate Presented by the Japan Young Pro- African American Museum Seattle jazz with a profile of recent fessionals Group (JYPG) and Ear- A Night at the Museum is the North- Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame inductee shot Jazz, vocalist Aiko Shimada and west African American Museum’s Chuck Deardorf and the bassist’s the group Burnlist (Cuong Vu, Greg (NAAM) first annual gala fundrais- abundant contributions to the Sinibaldi, Chris Icasiano, and Aaron ing event, set for Saturday May 14 at quality of the Seattle jazz scene as Otheim) headline a special concert ben- 6pm at the museum (2300 S. Massa- an educator, mentor, and example efiting Japan earthquake relief through chusetts). The event honors two major of excellence on the bandstand. As the Peace Winds America agency. The contributors to the Pacific Northwest always, this Earshot Jazz publica- concert takes place on May 14 at 7pm African American community: Dr. tion includes news for the com- at the clubhouse of Seattle’s Nisei Vet- Carver C. Gayton, NAAM’s Found- munity as well as a comprehensive erans Committee (1212 S. King Street, ing Director, and Ernestine Anderson, calendar of jazz events all around Seattle). JYPG works closely with the Grammy Award-winning jazz vocal- the region, in this case, extending Japan America Society of the State of ist. This event will also raise awareness to the Eastside and beyond. Washington to create opportunities for and financial support for the museum young professionals in Puget Sound to Thanks to all of you who shared through silent wine auction, raise the connect with their like-minded interest your valuable insights at our an- paddle, and ticket sales. More informa- in Japan and doing business in Japan. nual open board meeting on April tion is available at www.naamnw.org. For more information, please call 206- 21 at Tula’s, thanks to Tula’s for Clarence Acox to Be Feted at 322-1122 or visit the JYPG online at all they do for Seattle jazz, and ArtsFund Luncheon www.jassw.org/jypg.html. thanks to the artists and audienc- On Thursday, May 19, at 11:30am es who graced our Spring Series of SEEDArts and the Rainier Valley at the Westin Seattle (1900 Fifth Ave- concerts in venues around town. Cultural Center Launch Valley nue), ArtsFund will present its Lifetime I would also like to recognize Vibes Dedication to the Arts award to Ann P. the work of the Origin Arts team Valley Vibes, a new music series fo- Wyckoff and its Outstanding Achieve- on the recent Ballard Jazz Festival cusing on jazz in 2011, has been an- ment in the Arts award to Clarence and to send huge respects to all nounced by SEEDArts and the Rainier Acox. Accomplished author, poet, and Seattle artists who have participat- Valley Cultural Center. Geared toward screenwriter Sherman Alexie will be the ed in benefits for Japan in recent bringing together artists and audiences keynote speaker at ArtsFund’s 23rd an- weeks. We also congratulate all who might not otherwise cross paths, nual Celebration of the Arts luncheon. of the hard-working jazz students Valley Vibes features a formal concert Acox – an outstanding educator for looking ahead to graduation next experience followed by a community over 30 years, serves as co-artistic di- month (or ahead to another year conversation involving the perform- rector of the Seattle Jazz Repertory Or- of school) and send a special hoo- ing artists and a featured speaker on a chestra and directs the award-winning rah to Clarence Acox, who receives topic related thematically to the per- Garfield High School Jazz Ensemble. the well-deserved Outstanding formance or performing group. Perfor- He has received numerous awards, Achievement in the Arts award at mances will be held the second Friday including Educator of the Year from the ArtsFund annual luncheon on of every month at the Rainier Valley DownBeat magazine, Earshot’s Jazz May 19. Cultural Center (3515 S. Alaska Street) Musician of the Year, and Outstanding We are proud to be a part of this in Columbia City. The series runs from Music Educator award from the Seattle community. We invite you to join June through November 2011. Art- Music Educator’s Association. The lun- us in support of this rich and var- ists interested in applying should visit cheon features a performance by mem- ied Seattle jazz scene. www.seedseattle.org/seedarts.html for bers of the Garfield High School Jazz more details. Applications are due by John Gilbreath, Executive Director May 14, 2011. CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 2 • EARSHOT JAZZ • May 2011 EARSHOT JAZZ IN ONE EAR A Mirror and Focus for the Jazz Community Carmen Staaf’s New CD Showcases Killerbees Celebrate One Year of Executive Director John Gilbreath Managing Director Karen Caropepe Earshot Jazz Festival Performance Jazz at Waid’s on May 5 Seattle native and winner of the 2009 The Killerbees celebrate the one year Earshot Jazz Editor Danielle Bias Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz anniversary of their Jazz in the Hood Assistant Editor Schraepfer Harvey Pianist Competition Carmen Staaf is on May 5 at 7pm at Waid’s Restaurant Contributing Writers Andrew Bartlett, Bill releasing a new trio album, Eye to Eye, & Lounge (1212 E. Jefferson). The -ef Barton, Nathan Bluford, Jessica Davis, John on May 1. The trio features Kendall fort is lead by Makini Magee, who Ewing, Steve Griggs, Schraepfer Harvey, Eddy on bass and Austin McMahon began singing in the Seattle area in David Marriott, Peter Monaghan, Greg Pincus, Eliot Winder on drums. Most of the pieces were re- 1989. She is the vocalist for the Kill- corded live at Tula’s during the 2010 erbees jazz trio, whose other members Calendar Editor Schraepfer Harvey Earshot Jazz Festival, though there are are Bud Schultz and Bob Antolin. Calendar Volunteer Tim Swetonic also some studio tracks. The music is The legendary pianist Schultz served Photography Daniel Sheehan a mix of originals and pieces by John as an accompanist to Pat Suzuki and Layout Karen Caropepe Mailing Lola Pedrini McNeil, Mary Lou Williams, and taught instrumental music in Seattle the Beatles. Staff and her band will Public Schools for many years. He Send Calendar Information to: host a CD release party on May 20 at founded Killerbees with Antolin in 3429 Fremont Place #309 Ibeam in Brooklyn, NY. The CD will 2008. Antolin is a producer, compos- Seattle, WA 98103 fax / (206) 547-6286 be available on iTunes and CD Baby. er, and arranger who plays the alto and email / [email protected] More information about Staff is avail- soprano sax, flute, and guitar. He is able on her website at www.carmen- currently the instructor of woodwinds Board of Directors Paul Toliver (president), Cuong Vu (vice-president), Lola Pedrini staaf.com. at Seattle Central Community Col- (treasurer), Hideo Makihara (secretary), May Day Marathon at Town Hall lege and also teaches privately. Anto- lin also produced the Killerbees’ debut Clarence Acox, George Heidorn, Kenneth W. Composer and guitarist Tom Baker Masters, Renee Staton, Richard Thurston CD available at www.cdbaby.com/cd/ is part of the 10-hour performer- and Killerbees. Earshot Jazz is published monthly by composer-driven celebration of con- Earshot Jazz Society of Seattle and is temporary music production at Town Tom Baker Hosts Seattle available online at www.earshot.org. Hall (1119 Eighth Avenue) in Seattle Composers’ Salon, May 6 Subscription (with membership): $35 on May 1. Baker will present a solo The Seattle Composers’ Salon fosters 3429 Fremont Place #309 set, premiering a new piece based on the development, performance, and Seattle, WA 98103 recordings of lectures by John Cage, appreciation of new music by region- phone / (206) 547-6763 Tom fax / (206) 547-6286 with fretless guitar and electronics. al composers and performers. The May Day! May Day! marathon Baker serves as the artistic director of Earshot Jazz ISSN 1077-0984 is led by artistic director and producer the series. At these bi-monthly, infor- Printed by Pacific Publishing Company Paul Taub. This year, he is joined by mal presentations, the Salon features © 2011 Earshot Jazz Society of Seattle three new curators—eclectic compos- finished works, previews, and works er and pianist Wayne Horvitz; pianist in progress. Composers, performers, MISSION STATEMENT Cristina Valdes, whose work is a rich and audience members gather in a ca- Earshot Jazz is a non-profit arts and service marriage of “uptown” and “down- sual setting at the Chapel Performance organization formed in 1984 to cultivate a support town” sensibilities; and Jarrad Pow- Space at the Good Shepherd Center system for jazz in the community and to increase ell, composer and artistic director of (4649 Sunnyside Avenue N.) that al- awareness of jazz. Earshot Jazz pursues its Gamelan Pacifica – all local musician- lows for experimentation and discus- mission through publishing a monthly newsletter, presenting creative music, providing educational composers who performed in the 2010 sion. On May 6 at 8pm, the Salon programs, identifying and filling career needs for marathon. More info at www.town- will present composers Yvonne Hoar, jazz artists, increasing listenership, augmenting hallseattle.com. Doug Palmer, Steve Scribner, Ben and complementing existing services and Hogue, and Jeffrey Izzo. Suggested programs, and networking with the national and donation is $5-$15. More info at www.