A Mirror and Focus for the Community February 2017 Vol. 33, No. 2 EARSHOT JAZZSeattle, Washington

Eugenie Jones Photo by Daniel Sheehan Letter from the Director Earshot JazZ  A Mirror and Focus for the Jazz Community

The Rising Tide Executive Director John Gilbreath Managing Director Karen Caropepe There is a lot of And the lineup Program Manager Caitlin Peterkin Sound in Motion for this year’s Earshot Jazz Editor Caitlin Peterkin around our region Portland Jazz Fes- Contributing Writers Halynn Blanchard, this month, and, tival is incredible! Derek Decker, Marianne Gonterman, Steve as always, we’re Huge thanks and Griggs, Andrew Luthringer happy to be a part respects to Don of this incredible Lucoff, whose ap- Calendar Editor Caitlin Peterkin creative commu- pearance on the Photography Daniel Sheehan nity. Portland scene as Layout Caitlin Peterkin We are lucky this director of PDX Distribution Karen Caropepe & Earshot Jazz volunteers year to harness Jazz has not only part of the flow saved, but greatly Send Calendar Information to: of touring-artist enriched, the qual- 3429 Fremont Place N, #309 traffic through ity and the spirit of Seattle, WA 98103 the region this month, generated in the entire Portland jazz scene. Don email / [email protected] part by the PDX Jazz Festival and a is a team player, with a deep love of Board of Directors Sue Coliton (president), special focus on ECM Records that the music, and years of unrivaled ex- Danielle Leigh (vice president), Sally our colleagues at SFJAZZ are do- perience behind the curtain as the Nichols (secretary), Viren Kamdar ing. Check out our Sound in Mo- head of DL Media, the preeminent (treasurer), Ruby Smith Love, John W. tion offerings for the month, and public relations firm in jazz for the Comerford, Chris Icasiano, Diane Wah mark your calendars for upcoming past 20+ years. One of the major Emeritus Board Members Clarence Acox, Earshot concerts with Helen Sung, coups in Don’s very intentional pro- Hideo Makihara, Kenneth W. Masters, Lola Gerald Clayton, Les Mystere du gramming for this year is the rare Pedrini, Paul Toliver, Cuong Vu Voix Bulgare, and more. appearance of Maria Schneider and Founded in 1984 by Paul de Barros, As you read further into these pag- her entire New York orchestra. PDX Gary Bannister, and Allen Youngblood. es for overviews and listings of the Jazz is well worth the trip. Take A Earshot Jazz is published monthly by many upcoming events, take spe- Train, as they say. Earshot Jazz Society of Seattle and is cial note, beyond the bandleader’s Oh, and one more special event for available online at www.earshot.org. name, of the incredible personnel on this month: Valentine’s Day! Don’t these concerts. There are some really forget that the love we celebrate Subscription (with membership): $35 amazing people coming through. one day of the year, for (generally) 3429 Fremont Place #309 Recognition is due to the Seattle one special person, need not be so Seattle, WA 98103 Improvised Music Festival, which limited. It seems important that we phone / (206) 547-6763 is the longest-running festival of practice love every day, so we can get Earshot Jazz ISSN 1077-0984 improvised music in America, and good at it. Printed by Pacific Publishing Company clearly set the pace for “artist-curat- Finally, and especially, thank © 2017 Earshot Jazz Society of Seattle ed” concert events. Special thanks, YOU, for all of your support for once again, to Steve Peters, at the Earshot Jazz over the years. In fact, Chapel Performance Space, for his thank you for your abiding love of M i ss i o n S t a t e m e n t tireless dedication and essential fi- the many faces and sounds of jazz, To ensure the legacy and progression nancial support for the Improvised one of the most dynamic and re- of the art form, Earshot Jazz cultivates Music Festival, and so many other warding art forms ever to emerge a vibrant jazz community by engaging important events over the years. from the human spirit. audiences, celebrating artists, and –John Gilbreath, Executive Director supporting arts education.

2 • Earshot Jazz • February 2017 February 2017 • Earshot Jazz • 3 notes

The Jazz Project 2017 Series events on top of its weekly program- Preservation have been set. Grants are The Jazz Project, Bellingham’s non- ming. The beloved dance venue on available to artists and art groups, re- profit jazz-support organization, an- Capitol Hill presents special guests in- siding in King County, who are creat- nounces its 2017 Art of Jazz series, cluding George Gee Swing Orchestra, ing and presenting work in dance, the- with concerts running 4-6:30pm at Spanish Harlem Orchestra, and Joan ater, music, media, literature and the venues throughout the city. The Bill Soriano, as well as local artists includ- visual arts. The Arts Projects deadline Anschell Quartet performs January ing Casey MacGill and Jacob Zim- for individuals and groups is March 1. 29 at the Baay Theater; Ben Thomas merman, for a month-long celebration More at 4culture.org. Tango Quartet on February 26 at of music and dance. Attendees will Church House; Wayne Horvitz Group enjoy a wide variety of special live mu- Seattle Office of Arts & Culture on March 26 at The Majestic; Marina sic nights as they dance Salsa, Swing, Youth Arts Projects Albero Group on April 30 at the Baay Tango, Bachata, Square Dance, and Youth Arts is an annual funding pro- Theater; and Josh Cook/Kevin Woods more. Visit centuryballroom.com for gram for arts education, beyond the Quintet on May 28 at The Majestic. the full lineup of events. regular school day, for Seattle middle and high school youth. Funds and Century Turns 20 4Culture Project Grants technical assistance from this program Century Ballroom celebrates its 20th The deadlines to apply for a 4Culture anniversary this month with special Project grant in Arts, Heritage, and Continued ON PAGE 22

In one ear

Jazz Radio Sonarchy’s February schedule: Febru- mornings at 1am. More about jazz on 88.5 KNKX hosts Saturday Jazz Mat- ary 5, Bardo Basho, drone- and tech- KBCS at kbcs.fm. inee, Jazz Sunday Side Up, Ken Wiley’s no-influenced singer-songwriter goes 91.7 KSVR Mount Vernon, Doctor the Art of Jazz, and Jazz Northwest, in down her own electric trail; February Dee hosts two nights of jazz, Fourth addition to its weekday NPR and late- 12, Non Grata, 14 improvisors are Corner Jazz, featuring recordings of night and prime-time jazz programs. called to the studio by bassist John Se- live performance in Northwest Wash- Abe Beeson hosts The New Cool, man; February 19, Christian Asplund ington, Sundays, 6-7pm, and The Saturdays, 3pm, featuring 21st cen- Trio, experimental folk compositions Doctor’s Den, Mondays, 8-10pm. tury jazz inspired and informed by the for acoustic string band with Asplund 94.9 KUOW, Saturdays, 7pm, fea- sounds of today, hip-hop, funk, elec- (bass, , voice), Stuart Wheeler tures Amanda Wilde’s the Swing tronic & punk rock, followed by Rob- (, voice), and Tari Nelson-Zagar Years and Beyond, popular music in Lloyd’s Jazz Caliente, 5pm, where (violin); February 26, Jeremy Shaskus from the 1920s to the 1950s. More at jazz meets Latin rhythms. Trio, a unique setting for a powerhouse kuow.org/swing_years.php. Jim Wilke’s Jazz Northwest, Sun- performance by Shaskus (compositions, Hollow Earth Radio, hollowearthra- days, 2pm, features the artists and tenor sax), Neil Welch (tenor sax), and dio.org, Fridays, 6pm, biweekly, Black events of the regional jazz scene. For Gregg Keplinger (drums). Roots Radio, with Jordan Leonard, JazzNW podcasts of archived pro- 91.3 KBCS, late Sundays and prime- promotes jazz as a dynamic genre rooted grams, see jazznw.org. time Mondays, features Floatation De- in the Black American experience. 90.3 KEXP, late-night Sundays, vice with John Seman and Jonathan Hollow Earth is Seattle’s freeform features Jazz Theater with John Gil- Lawson; Straight, No Chaser with online radio station that supports breath, 1am, and Sonarchy, midnight, David Utevsky; Giant Steps with John the local music communities in the a live-performance broadcast from the Pai. The Caravan with John Gilbreath greater Pacific Northwest and tries to Jack Straw Productions studio, pro- is back on Mondays at 7pm. A rotation create an open, encouraging stage for duced by Doug Haire. Full schedule of programmers Gordon Todd, John underrepresented voices. More at face- information is available at kexp.org Midgley, and Megan Sullivan host book.com/blackrootsradiojl and hol- and jackstraw.org. “The Sound of Modern Jazz,” Tuesday lowearthradio.org.

4 • Earshot Jazz • February 2017 Golden Ear Awards 2016 Golden Ear Awards Ballot Cast your ballot by March 8!

Each year, the Golden Ear Awards recognize and celebrate the You’re Invited! outstanding achievements of the previous year in Seattle jazz. In the process, Seattle jazz fans and performers can take stock of and Join us Monday, March 13, at The Royal show gratitude for the region’s vibrant jazz ecology. The awards are Room in Columbia City for the Golden Ear Awards Ceremony. The 200 Trio determined by a combination of nominations and popular vote. (Max Holmberg, drums, Greg Feingold, Nominees this year were selected by a poll of Earshot Jazz readers, upright bass, Cole Schuster, guitar) jazz performers, audience members, journalists, and industry pro- get the night going at 6pm, with the fessionals. There are eight Golden Ear Award categories, including awards ceremony beginning at 7pm. induction into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame. Then, stick around after the ceremony for Please vote online at earshot.org, by email to [email protected], or Ryan Keberle’s Catharsis. mail your selections to Earshot Jazz, 3429 Fremont Pl. N., #309, Seattle, WA 98103, by March 8. We look forward to seeing you there!

2016 NW Recording of the Year 2016 NW Acoustic Ensemble 2016 NW Instrumentalist of the Year †† B’shnorkestra, Global Concertos (self- †† Anton Schwartz Quintet †† Bill Anschell released) †† B’shnorkestra †† Dmitri Matheny †† Birch Pereira & The Gin Joints, Dream †† Jacob Zimmerman Quintet †† Kate Olson Man (self-released) †† LineUp! Mark Taylor & Dawn Clement †† Tarik Abouzied †† Rik Wright’s Fundamental Forces, †† Panama Hotel Jazz Ensemble †† Tim Kennedy Subtle Energy (HipSync Records) †† Other ______†† Other ______†† Thomas Marriott & Ray Vega, Return of 2016 NW Alternative Group 2016 NW Vocalist of the Year The East‑West Trumpet Summit (Origin †† Happy Orchestra †† Carrie Wicks Records) †† KO Ensemble †† Eugenie Jones †† The Westerlies, The Westerlies †† Rik Wright’s Fundamental Forces †† Gail Pettis (Songlines) †† Skerik’s Bandalabra †† Kate Voss †† Other ______†† The Westerlies †† LaVon Hardison 2016 NW Concert of the Year †† Other ______†† Other ______†† Brian Blade Fellowship Band, Seattle 2016 NW Emerging Artist 2016 Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame Art Museum, Feb. 26 †† Alex Dugdale For a list of Seattle Jazz Hall of Famers, go †† LineUp! featuring Julian Priester, †† Birch Pereira to earshot.org/hall-of-fame/ Ballard Jazz Festival, May 13 †† Delvon Lamarr †† Bill Anschell †† Renée Baker with guests, Chapel †† Ivan Arteaga †† Bob Hammer Performance Space, Oct. 28 †† Jason Goessl †† Casey MacGill †† SOUL SPACE, V2, Oct. 27-29 †† Other ______†† Jay Clayton †† Mo’ Jam Mondays 3rd Anniversary †† Skerik show w/ Marina Albero & Thomas †† Other ______Marriott, Nectar Lounge, Dec. 12 †† Other ______

February 2017 • Earshot Jazz • 5 PROFILE Eugenie Jones: Open Your Heart to What I Mean

By Steve Griggs Eugenie Jones sings songs with emo- tional resonance. She doesn’t hew to the standard jazz repertoire. She doesn’t conform. She sings in the mo- ment so the way she sings her songs changes with her mood. She says she looks like her mother, Tommie. But she has the strong will of her father, Eugene. She was one of five girls and three boys that her par- ents raised in the black segregated coal camp of Everettville, in Monongalia County, West Virginia. Jones’ father worked in the mines and directed the choir at the Baptist church; her mother sang the soprano parts in an operatic voice. Sometimes her mother called her father “Peacock” because of his proud, tall stance in front of the small congregation as he tapped the tempo for the 15-person choir on The Gospel Pearls, the book of songs. Jones says if you ask her siblings about her recent singing and fronting a jazz group, they will express shock and disbelief. She is a private person with a broad smile. She grew up as a tomboy, a coal miner’s daughter, a reluctant worshiper who would throw spitballs from the back row. Jones graduated from high school in nearby Morgantown, the county seat, and started college there at West Virginia University to study Market- ing. She honed her skills to plan and execute methodically. Make a list and check things off. She continued col- lege in Atlanta and San Diego where she met her husband. His career in the Navy brought them and their two sons Eugenie Jones photo by daniel sheehan to Bremerton.

6 • Earshot Jazz • February 2017 After divorce, her mother moved in. says Jones. “Artistically, we’re quite She had colon cancer. Between career, different, but as a black woman, I can Eugenie Jones Sings mothering, and caring for her mother, identify with the struggles Nina Sim- Nina Simone singing was not even on the radar for one experienced.” Friday, February 17 Jones. Then mom died. On February 17 at the Royal Room, The Royal Room Jones felt the urge to take risks and Jones’ repertoire will include Simone’s EARLY SHOW: 6:30pm | Doors 5pm see what happens. She reminisced “My Baby Just Cares for Me,” “I Put a LATE SHOW: 9pm | Doors 8:30pm about her mother singing around the Spell on You,” “I Want a Little Sugar house. She remembered asking her in My Bowl,” and “Wild is the Wind.” Tickets $10 advance / $12 day of mom for the names of the songs, but Backed by pianist Peter Adams, bass- show. there weren’t any titles. She was just ist Sam Booth, and drummer Brian Tickets are available at: making something up. The seed was Smith, Jones will fill her sets with orig- www.strangertickets.com/ planted. inal songs as well. Shows are scheduled events/40102465/nina-simone- Jones had been leading her own for 6pm and 9pm. Tickets are avail- tribute-featuring-eugenie-jones church congregation in songs. Then, able StrangerTickets.com. one night at an art gallery in Bremer- ton, she heard Bernie Jacobs sing. He invited her to Seattle vocal jams where she quickly met musicians and began learning how to book gigs and lead a CENTRUM band. The roots had found fertile soil. Fast forward a few clicks and her new jazz passion has born fruit that all of us can Port townsend enjoy. Jones released two self-produced John Clayton, Artistic director recordings of her original songs, Black Lace Blue Tears and Come Out Swin- gin’; garnered Earshot Golden Ear Workshop and Awards for Northwest Recording of festival the Year in 2013 and Vocalist of the Year in 2015, and a recent nomination july 23-30, 2017 for 2016 Vocalist of the Year; jetted Coaching, rehearsals, from coast to coast singing for new au- master classes, theory, diences; and accrued kudos from crit- special topics and 60 performances— ics across the country. including yours. Her songwriting process is organic. She invents melodies and lyrics about Jeff Hamilton, Wycliffe Gordon, her life, moods, and desires, sings Hubert Laws, Terell Stafford, them into a recorder, then collaborates with pianist Bill Anschell to develop Cedric Dent, , Tia Fuller, and document the arrangement. In the Sullivan Fortner, Sean Jones, end, Jones hopes that the performance George Cables, Joe La Barbera will make life better for someone else. plus 20 more—and you. This month, Jones will reprise her tribute to Nina Simone. The two sing- Tia Fuller ers share a similar deep vocal range Open to instrumentalists and vocalists and strong stage presence. As a girl, high school-age through adult in Jones was encouraged by Simone’s one of the Pacific Northwest’s song “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” most beautiful locations. in church and at civic events. “I admire her work as a vocalist, InformatIon and onlIne applIcatIon composer, and civil rights activist,” at centrum.org/jazz

February 2017 • Earshot Jazz • 7 PREVIEW >> Sound In Motion: Bright Moments for Dark Nights Earshot Jazz presents its 2017 winter series

Earshot Jazz is pleased to bring you Sound in Motion, an extraordinary concert series that also promises to be a series of truly extraordinary concerts. Over the coming dark winter weeks, we are delighted to host many of the brightest creative spirits in today’s jazz: some old friends, some new friends, and a couple of extraordinary returning heroes. Sound in Motion could also be subtitled “The Rising Tide,” because of the discernible elevation each artist delivers to the progression of the art form. This series is a great opportunity, at a great point in our collective history, to spend some time of an entirely separate quality, in the company of accomplished artists who move this uniquely American art form ever- forward through collective commitments to creative, individual expression. This is a clear-eyed showcase of the energy and expansion, heart and heartache, magic and momentum, truth and beauty of jazz, now.

ly grow to a trio, adding musicians Eric Vloeimans & Will like saxophonist Light Henry Huff Holshouser and Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre. Wednesday, February 8, 8pm Touring frequently in and the The Royal Room , they established a global reputation. In 1997 Ernest “Khabeer” Dutch trumpeter Eric Vloeimans Dawkins replaced Wilkerson and was and versatile American accordionist first featured on a recording made by Will Holshouser form a unique pair- the Ensemble in 1999, Freedom Jazz ing that explores the areas between Dance. That included jazz, folk, and experimental music. jazz legend Fareed Haque and contin- Trumpeter Vloeimans creates highly ued the Ensemble’s tradition of music original music that has earned him Kahil El’Zabar photo courtesy of artist with a modern sensibility and an an- the most prestigious music awards in the , including three Edi- Kahil El’Zabar Ethnic Heritage cestral spirit. By 2006 Bowie’s spot was filled by young trumpeter Corey son Awards. Vloeimans tours exten- Ensemble with Corey Wilkes & Wilkes, a highly regarded improviser sively with a variety of ensembles: his Alex Harding with a soulful sound and unique sen- acoustic chamber jazz trio Fugimundi; Friday, February 3, 8pm sibilities, informed by his emersion in an electric project Gatecrash, which The Royal Room music from jazz to hip-hop. Kahil El’Zabar has been one of the This Ethnic Heritage Ensemble in- deepest and most forward-thinking cludes trumpeter, Wilkes, baritone artists from Chicago’s renowned im- saxophonist Alex Harding, who has provised music scene for many years. stepped in for an ailing Hamiet Bluiett Working in many creative contexts as a on this tour, and the compelling pres- member of the boundlessly innovative ence of Kahil El’Zabar on drum set, AACM, El’Zabar founded the Ethnic hand percussion, and soulful vocaliza- Heritage Ensemble in 1976 with tenor tions. It is a special opportunity to im- saxophonist Edward Wilkerson, Jr., as merse yourself in an jazz experience as a way to further explore the connec- old, and as new, as time itself. tions between African-American mu- Tickets $18 general / $16 Earshot sic, like jazz, with more traditional Af- members & seniors (60+) / $10 students rican instrumentation and rhythms. In & veterans/military. Tickets are avail- the first years, the duo would frequent- able at StrangerTickets.com Eric Vloeimans photo courtesy of artist

8 • Earshot Jazz • February 2017 has earned a reputation as one of Eu- rope’s top jazz/rock cross-over bands; and Oliver’s Cinema, the sweet, folk- influenced trio with accordionist Tuur Florizoone and cellist Jörg Brinkmann that made a lucky Earshot audience swoon with their gorgeous Chapel concert in 2014. Holshouser has found a niche for himself as an accordionist, improviser, and composer. Holshouser studied composition with Anthony Braxton, and has toured and recorded with jazz violinist Regina Carter, Amsterdam- based improvisers Han Bennink and Michael Moore, modern klezmer clar- inetist David Krakauer, pop visionar- ies Antony and the Johnsons, and the Amina Claudine Myers photo courtesy of artist Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra. Holshouser also performs with groups style that combines her blues, jazz, and first album with free-jazz tenor saxo- of his own: Musette Explosion and gospel influences. During a multifac- phonist Kalaparusha Maurice Mc- The Will Holshouser Trio. eted 50-year career as an accompanist, Intyre. Myers has since toured Europe organist, vocalist, composer, and edu- with the Quintet and Tickets $15 general / $13 Earshot cator, Myers has released 11 recordings Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Or- members & seniors (60+) / $7 students and worked with collaborators such as chestra, and has been commissioned & veterans/military. Tickets are avail- , , Art En- by the Chicago Jazz Institute to com- able at StrangerTickets.com. semble of Chicago, and Archie Shepp. pose and direct an orchestral work in Following her Seattle performance, honor of great pianist Mary Lou Wil- Amina Claudine Myers Myers makes her debut solo piano per- liams. Myers has been honored by the Saturday, February 18, 8pm formance at the 2017 Biamp PDX Jazz National Endowment for the Arts and The Royal Room Festival. The New York Foundation for the New York-based, -born pia- Myers arrived in Chicago in the Arts. Her new recording, Sama Rou – nist Amina Claudine Myers is recog- 1960s, finding creative kinship with Songs From My Soul, derives a global nized for her luscious, soulful playing the AACM, and later recording her sensibility from the idiom of the Great

February 2017 • Earshot Jazz • 9 Negro Spiritual and moves it forward upon influences spanning D’Angelo’s with “a predominately prayerful slow Voodoo to music by Elliot Smith, Bill pace.” Frisell, and . Tickets $18 general / $16 Earshot Happy Orchestra, produced by members & seniors (60+) / $10 students drummer Tarik Abouzied, is a band & veterans/military. Tickets are avail- that puts smiles on faces and lights able StrangerTickets.com. fires under feet. The band, nominated 2015 and 2016 Alternative Jazz Group Nectar & The PBJ Present of the Year by readers of Earshot Jazz, / Happy Orchestra combines instrumental and compo- Sunday, February 19, 8pm sitional firepower with a determined photo by Paolo Soriani Nectar Lounge effort at crafting an intensely happy “It’s probably safe to assume at this musical experience. This combination point that no other band working to- of stellar human beings, instrumental day can offer what Kneebody deliver,” mastery, and a grin-inducing compo- writes Los Angeles Times. sitional palette is what makes Happy Grammy-nominated quintet Knee- Orchestra an unmissable act. body generates explosive rock energy Tickets $12 advance / $16 day of show. paralleled with high-level chamber Tickets are available at nectarlounge. ensemble playing, and highly wrought com. compositions balanced with adventur- ous no-holds-barred improvising. All Ralph Towner / François Anja Lechner & François Couturier photo by Nadia Romanini “sounds-like” references can be set aside as the band has created a genre Couturier & Anja Lechner ensemble Oregon, a highly versatile and style all its own. Made up of key- Tuesday, February 21, 8pm group ranging from jazz and Third boardist Adam Benjamin, trumpeter Seattle Art Museum Stream improvisations to folk music, Shane Endsley, electric bassist Kaveh An established innovator, and, as Towner has performed and recorded Rastegar, saxophonist , a former Seattle resident, BF (before extensively around the world since its and drummer Nate Wood, each band Frisell), mentor to an earlier genera- formation. He has also recorded as a member has amassed an impressive list tion of guitarists, Ralph Towner cre- leader and many other artists, racking of credits and accomplishments over ates music with deep sensibility and up 29 releases on the respected ECM the years while continuing to thrive a genuine passion for beauty. Best label. Towner is a prolific solo acous- and grow in reputation, solidifying known as the lead composer, guitar- tic guitarist with a distinctive musi- a global fan base. Kneebody draws ist, and keyboardist for the enduring cal language. After critically lauded

10 • Earshot Jazz • February 2017 projects with trumpeter Paolo Fresu on a musical career marked by techni- 2011, followed by the 2013 trio re- (Chiaroscuro) and with fellow gui- cal brilliance and visionary artistry. lease, Chants, with Gerald Cleaver and tarists Wolfgang Muthspiel and Slava His first ECM release, the solo Thomas Morgan. Grigoryan (Travel Guide), Towner re- Aborescence, was praised by JazzTimes Taborn has performed for Earshot cently returned to solo guitar with his as “expansive, impressionistic…like a several times, including the notable new ECM release, My Foolish Heart. vision quest.” Find The Way, behind piano duo with Kris Davis at PON- The captivating duo of pianist which this trio tours, brings Parks’ re- CHO Concert Hall during last year’s François Couturier and cellist Anja markable facility into harmony with festival. His brilliant new quartet in- Lechner has also contributed to his quest for beauty, and enhances it cludes long-time Minneapolis-area the quality of the ECM catalogue; sublimely in the hands of two of the friend Dave King (of the Bad Plus) on Couturier, notably with Tunisian oud finest rhythm masters in jazz. master Anouar Brahem, and Lechner Tickets $18 general / $16 Earshot Earshot Jazz Presents with Tango master, Dino Sailluzi. members & seniors (60+) / $10 students Their collaborations over the past & veterans/military. Tickets are avail- Sound in Motion 10 years also include the Tarkovsky able at earshot.org. Bright Moments for Dark Nights Quartet, celebrating the great Russian February 3, The Royal Room filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky, with Quartet Kahil El’Zabar Ethnic Heritage evocative music that somehow finds with Dave King, Chris Speed & Ensemble with Corey Wilkes & the texture of dreams and memory. Alex Harding Chris Lightcap Tickets $25 general / $23 Earshot Friday, February 24, 8pm February 8, The Royal Room members & seniors (60+) / $10 students PONCHO Concert Hall Eric Vloeimans & Will Holshouser & veterans/military. Tickets are avail- able at earshot.org. Co-presented with Cornish Presents February 18, The Royal Room Amina Claudine Myers Pianist Craig Taborn was once Aaron Parks Trio with Billy Hart called “one of the visionaries of the February 19, Nectar Lounge & current wave” by DownBeat magazine, Kneebody / Happy Orchestra Wednesday, February 22, 8pm and has intentionally and successfully February 21, Seattle Art Museum PONCHO Concert Hall proven that point year after year. With Ralph Towner / Anja Lechner & François Couturier Co-presented with Cornish Presents a restless creativity that has taken him around the world in the company of February 22, PONCHO Concert Hall Aaron Parks Any return of to Seat- many of the top names in jazz, Taborn Aaron Parks Trio with Billy Hart & tle stages carries an air of “the prodigal has honed his vision into an utterly Ben Street son” to some of us. But this impressive distinctive aesthetic. His seminal trio setting – with the iconic drummer 2004 album Junk Magic was hailed as February 24, PONCHO Concert Hall Billy Hart and top-flight bassist Ben Craig Taborn Quartet with Dave “a testament to jazz’s spirit of constant King, Chris Speed & Chris Lightcap Street – is epic indeed, especially on (re)invention” by AllMusic Guide. The the heels of a major new release, Find distinguished ECM label released his March 1, PONCHO Concert Hall The Way, on a major global label like solo piano sojourn, Avenging Angel in Miguel Zenón Quartet with Luis ECM. Perdomo, Hans Glawischnig & When the New York Times said that Henry Cole Aaron Parks was, “a step ahead of ev- March 8, PONCHO Concert Hall eryone else,” they were telling the rest Ben Allison Quartet of the world what we already knew. March 13, The Royal Room Seattle was fortunate to have Parks Ryan Keberle Catharsis around for a couple of years as he dealt with his college education, roughly Tickets & information available at earshot.org. between the ages of 15 and about 17. When he was 18, in 2001, Parks took And stay tuned for information on our Spring Series, featuring Helen Sung, first place in the American Jazz Pianist Gerald Clayton, Le Mystère des Voix Competition, and has since embarked , and many more! Craig Taborn photo by John Rogers Bulgares

February 2017 • Earshot Jazz • 11

The Bass Church The Bass Church The Bass Church The Northwest double bass specialists The Northwest double bass specialists The Northwest double bass specialists

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Miguel Zenón Quartet “I was thinking about what this Sales, Rentals, Sales, Rentals, Sales, Rentals, band and the guys in the band mean Repairs, Restorations, Wednesday, Repairs, March Restorations, 1, 8pm Repairs, Restorations, PONCHO Concert Hall to me as I was writing the music,” he Lessons Lessons explains. “I kept Lessons going back to this Convenient North Seattle Location Convenient North Seattle Location Convenient North Seattle Location Internationally acclaimed saxophon- idea of us developing this common Miguel Zenón (206)784-6626 ist/composer(206)784-6626 celebrates language(206)784-6626 that identifies us as a band.” 9716 Phinney Ave. N. the9716 release Phinney of Ave. his N.new recording, Típi- That9716 Phinney language Ave. N. has been develop- Seattle, WA. 98103 co Seattle, WA. 98103 Seattle, WA. 98103 ~by appointment only~ , ~byhis appointment tenth as only~ a leader. Joining Zenón ing~by for appointment more thanonly~ a decade. Perdomo are his long-time bandmates who are and Glawischnig have been with Ze- also featured on the recording: pianist nón since the turn of the millennium; Luis Perdomo, bassist Hans Glawis- Cole joined the band in 2005. Their chnig, and drummer Henry Cole. language is thoroughly fluent modern The Bass Church A T multiplehe B Grammyass C nomineehurch and jazz,T withhe all B thea instrumentalss Chur cprowessh The Northwest double bass specialists The Northwest double bass specialists The Northwest double bass specialists Guggenheim and MacArthur Fel- and rhythmic and harmonic complex- www.basschurch.com low, Zenónwww is.b aonessc hofu ar cselecth.com group of ity thatw w thatw. b implies.asschu r Butch. c theom dialect musicians who have masterfully bal- they’ve created together through the anced and blended the often-contra- years is distinctive. dictory poles of innovation and tra- Tickets $18 general / $16 Earshot Sales, Rentals, dition. Widely Sales, considered Rentals, one of the Sales, Rentals, members & seniors (60+) / $10 students Repairs, Restorations, most groundbreaking Repairs, Restorations, and influential Repairs, Restorations, & veterans/military. Tickets are avail- Lessons saxophonists of Lessons his generation, Zenón Lessons Convenient North Seattle Location Convenient North Seattle Location able at earshot.org.Convenient North Seattle Location has also developed a unique voice as

a composer and as a conceptualist, (206)784-6626 (206)784-6626 (206)784-6626MASTERCLASS 9716 Phinney Ave. N. concentrating9716 Phinney Ave. his N. efforts on perfect- Tuesday,9716 Phinney February Ave. 28,N. 3:30pm Seattle, WA. 98103 ingSeattle, a fine WA. 98103mix between Latin Ameri- MiguelSeattle, Zenón WA. 98103 Quartet ~by appointment only~ ~by appointment only~ The~by Royalappointment Room only~ can folkloric music and jazz. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Zenón has re- Open to all students | $10 public

12 • Earshot Jazz • February 2017 PREVIEW >> 32nd Annual Seattle Improvised Music Festival

go), multi-instrumentalist Douglas R. 32nd Seattle Improvised Ewart (Minneapolis) – and a selection Music Festival of performers from Seattle, Olympia, and Portland will meet over the course Thursday, February 2, 8pm of the weekend in duo, trio, and quar- Featured Visiting Artist: Lisa Cay Miller tet configurations. Each evening con- -James Falzone (clarinet) & Bonnie cert will feature three 20-minute sets Whiting (percussion) and an additional 30-minute set fea- -Heather Bentley (viola/violin), Robin turing one of the visiting artists play- Holcomb (piano), Nicole Mitchell ing solo and/or with other musicians (flute) of their own choosing. These perfor- -Brian Chin (trumpet), Natalie Mai mances are curated by this year’s fes- Hall (cello), Michaud Savage (classical tival organizers Greg Campbell, Kate guitar), Jeff Johnson (bass) Olson, and Steve Peters. -Lisa Cay Miller (piano) solo & duo with Almost all of this year’s artists are James Falzone (clarinet) playing SIMF for the first time. Also Friday, February 3, 8pm new to the festival this year are a Featured Visiting Artist: Nicole Mitchell nicole mitchell photo by Brad Walseth workshop for improvising dancers and -Jeff Johnson (bass) & Evan Woodle February 2-4 musicians, facilitated by dancer Sheri (drums) Chapel Performance Space Cohen and musician David Knott, at - (woodwinds), Robin Sliding scale $5-15 1pm on Saturday afternoon, followed Holcomb (piano), Catherine Lee (oboe) by a potluck/community discussion -Steve Barsotti (home-mades/field Nonsequitur, with support from a from 5-7pm. Another new addition recordings), Brian Chin (trumpet), Neighborhood & Community Arts to this year’s festival is an improvised Arrington de Dionyso (woodwinds), grant from Seattle Office of Arts & music merch mart: local artists and Mike Gamble (electric guitar) Culture, presents the annual Seattle labels releasing improvised music in -Nicole Mitchell (flute) solo & duo with Improvised Music Festival, February any physical format are invited to sell Michaud Savage (classical guitar) 2-4, 2017, at the Chapel Performance and trade their merchandise starting at Saturday, February 4, 8pm Space in the historic Good Shepherd 6pm each night of the festival. Featured Visiting Artist: Douglas R. Center in Wallingford. Nonsequitur is a non-profit organi- Ewart Now in its 32nd year, the Seattle Im- zation dedicated to the presentation of -Mike Gamble (electric guitar) & Evan provised Music Festival is the longest- adventurous and experimental music Woodle (drums) running festival in the US dedicated to and sound art via live events, exhibi- -Steve Barsotti (home-mades/field music that is completely improvised: tions, and publications. Since 2007, recordings), James Falzone (clarinet), no scores, no plans, no safety net. This its primary focus has been producing Arrington de Dionyso (woodwinds) is truly “music of the moment,” allow- concerts as part of the Wayward Mu- -Heather Bentley (viola/violin), ing artists from diverse musical back- sic Series at the Good Shepherd Center Catherine Lee (oboe), Lisa Cay Miller grounds to meet up in an atmosphere Chapel in Wallingford. (piano), Bonnie Whiting (percussion) of spontaneity, intuition, playfulness, For more information on the Seattle and surprise. -Douglas Ewart (woodwinds) with Improvised Music Festival and Nonse- Three esteemed visiting improvisers Steve Barsotti (home-mades/field quitur, visit waywardmusic.org. – pianist Lisa Cay Miller (Vancou- recordings), Heather Bentley (viola/ ver), flutist Nicole Mitchell (Chica- –Ed., courtesy of Steve Peters violin), Natalie Mai Hall (cello)

February 2017 • Earshot Jazz • 13 PREVIEW >> 2017 PDX Jazz Festival

hold names in hard bop, the Heaths have performed on nearly 200 and collaborated with the ultimate all- star list of American jazz: Dizzy Gil- lespie, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Art Farmer, Sonny Rollins, Nina Simone, and . Three grandfathered jazz guitar gi- ants are present this year: the impec- cable jazz guitar innovator John Aber- crombie with a career spanning more than 40 years, multi-instrumentalist and bandleader for the enduring group Oregon Ralph Towner, and the an- ticipated guitar Grammy winner following his sold out perfor- Roy Ayers photo courtesy of artist Maria Schneider Photo Courtesy of Artist mance with Joe Lovano at the 2016 Biamp PDX Jazz Festival. Scofield February 16-26 The festival calls on a handful of returns reinterpreting classic country Various venues, Portland, OR renowned artists whom embody the tunes with a jazz foursome. collective musical spirit of iconoclasts The 2017 Biamp PDX Jazz Festival Often joining Gillespie during their Gillespie, Monk, and Rich from a slew brings the Portland metro area togeth- post-bop period, modern jazz progeni- er for a week and a half of world-class of vantage points. tor Thelonious “Sphere” Monk is em- Jon Faddis music, while the city perseveres the Gillespie’s protégé will bodied by his son TS Monk’s Sextet tragic loss of historic jazz venue Jimmy guest during the world premiere of paired with the Musical Director of Mak’s and the life of long-time owner Portland Jazz Master Mel Brown’s the Thelonious Monk Institute John Jimmy Makarounis. PDX Jazz focuses big band. Faddis’ extensive career Beasley and his MONK’estra. Monk’s this year’s festival on moving forward, began playing with Charles Mingus, music is again recast in the percussion- while celebrating the music and influ- and recording with Gillespie, George filled Latin sojourn Descarga for Monk ence of past jazz centurions John Birks Benson, Anthony Braxton, and Oscar & Diz with John Santos, Alex Conde, “Dizzy” Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Peterson, following a career as a New and Bobby Torres. The festival’s final and Buddy Rich. York studio musician. For this perfor- Sunday brings a cross-country collec- Running from Thursday, Febru- mance, Faddis provides original Gil- tive for Misteriosos, a tribute honoring ary 16, through Sunday, February lespie big band arrangements. outstanding Monk interpreter Steve 26, the festival sees nearly 40 shows, A double bill featuring the legend- Lacy. with heavy hitters including: a kick- ary Jimmy and Albert Heath Broth- Meanwhile, Buddy Rich’s legendary off performance by two contemporary ers and Javon Jackson’s Sax Appeal Gretch drum night battles are rear- jazz icons, Master saxophonist Bran- roars in celebration of Gillespie’s ranged by the sextet of Portland-bred ford Marsalis and Grammy Award- 100th birthday. Ninety-one-year-old Alan Jones. Jones has studied with Art winning singer Kurt Elling together, saxophonist and NEA Jazz Master Blakey and Jaco Pastorius, and played neo-soul icon Roy Ayers, and Maria Jimmy Heath is one of the great elder with some of jazz’s greatest artists Schneider and her Orchestra’s West statesmen of the jazz tradition, along Coast debut. with Albert “Tootie” Heath. House- Continued ON PAGE 23

14 • Earshot Jazz • February 2017 PREVIEW >> Triple Door Presents: Branford Marsalis Quartet with special guest Kurt Elling by the Jazz Journalists Association on eight occasions. It is no secret that the Branford Mar- salis Quartet can be as freewheeling off the bandstand as in performance. Saxophonist Marsalis, pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis, and drummer Justin Faulkner are each bold personalities with strong opin- ions, equally intense in both musical and verbal exchanges. branford marsalis photo by PALMA KOLANSKY kurt elling photo by anna weber “The band talks about all kinds of things, many of which are unprint- Friday, February 17, 8pm Branford Marsalis has stayed the able,” Marsalis admits. “But we have Saturday, February 18, 8pm course. From his early acclaim as a serious musical debates as well.” Sunday, February 19, 7:30pm saxophonist bringing new energy and One of these conversations led to Up- Triple Door new audiences to the jazz art, he has ward Spiral, the new album with spe- $75-90 refined and expanded his talents and cial guest Elling, released last June via his horizons as a musician, composer, OKeh Records. Two iconic jazz treasures of our times bandleader and educator – a 21st Cen- “One topic we got into was picking perform together in three incredible tury mainstay of artistic excellence. the best singer to work with our band,” nights this month in Seattle. On Feb- Grammy winner Kurt Elling is Marsalis recalls. “My candidate was ruary 17-19, the Triple Door presents among the world’s foremost jazz vocal- Branford Marsalis Quartet Kurt Elling, because he has the most the with ists. He has won every DownBeat Crit- special guest, award-winning vocalist ics Poll for the last 14 years and has Kurt Elling. been named “Male Singer of the Year” Continued ON PAGE 22

February 2017 • Earshot Jazz • 15 FOR THE RECORD Choice Recent, Local Releases

Bill Anschell path to explore, even in well-traveled Tyrant Lizard territory. Having studied and per- Rumbler formed broadly, Anschell has always Tyrant Lizard been a globally aware musician of Origin Records wide-ranging activities and interests, Self-released There’s an exhilarating moment on anchored by a robust jazz foundation. Tyrant Lizard is a brilliant trio of pianist and composer Bill Anschell’s On Rumbler, he ranges far from the three of the area’s most distinctively superb new album Rumbler that is realm of standard 32-bar forms, push- eclectic musical voices: trumpeter/ emblematic of the album’s strengths, ing his music in new directions with composer Raymond Larsen, bass- and it’s right at the top of the first odd meters, unexpected juxtapositions ist Carmen Rothwell, and guitarist track. The disc kicks off with piano and textures, intricately creative ar- Gregg Belisle- Chi. (Rothwell and and saxophone outlining Thelonious rangements and rock flavors, all with- Belisle- Chi have recently departed for Monk’s iconic “Misterioso.” Sure, it’s out neglecting the elemental power of , though to be fair, we a great composition, but with all the melody and nuance. can still claim them as our own.) masterful versions already recorded, Rumbler features superb playing form Tyrant Lizard’s stellar, self-titled al- can there really be anything new here? Anschell’s core trio of bassist Chris bum inhabits a sweet spot inside one Suddenly, skepticism is knocked Symer and drummer Jose Martinez, of the most fertile and creatively ac- aside as the rest of the band kicks in supplemented by choice contributors tive streams on the Pacific Northwest with jarring, off-kilter punctuations such as saxophonist Jeff Coffin and scene: an eclectic hybrid of chamber and crunchy guitar, and from there guitarist Brian Monroney, whose tex- music and heartland-tinged ambi- the track wanders further afield into tural versatility and biting solos seem ent and cinematic textures, crossed realms of bluesy free improvisation to elevate any project he is a part of. with avant-experimental improvisa- and multiple shades of groove, stitched Anschell has a beautifully expressive tion. Jazz figures into the mix as well, together with mesmerizing band inter- touch on the piano, unspooling sub- though it’s a form of jazz practice play and creative soloing. It’s quite a limely constructed solos with the skills without the usual genre conventions. ride, and that’s just track one. of a player and the mind of a compos- The influence of maverick mentors Bill For a talented and restless explorer er. Highly recommended. Frisell and Wayne Horvitz informs the like Anschell, there’s always a new –Andrew Luthringer proceedings, and the work of recent

16 • Earshot Jazz • February 2017 ensembles led by Andy Clausen is also and this recording beautifully captures sembles. Sparks and Kessler lock it all a touchstone. the vibe at the club. It’s a visceral doc- down with intuitive and sensitive in- Tyrant Lizard is something of a com- ument of the scene, complete with the terplay, a rhythmic mind-meld that panion piece to Belisle- Chi’s recent occasional talking patron in the back- can only come from years of playing I Sang to You and The Moon, which ground which could be a distraction together. Their foundation they pro- also features the telepathic interplay in some cases, but here it actually adds vide is a setting that any instrumental- of this trio. The three collaborators to the ambience. It’s a jazz hang after ist would be lucky to contribute to. seem to effortlessly breathe and phrase all, not a museum, and when the mu- Highlights include saxophonist Alex- together, deftly shifting between dark- sicians are in the zone, they’re focused ey Nikolaev freely exploring the trio ness and light, whether reveling in the on the music anyway. format on “Take the Coltrane,” stalwart pastoral beauty of the stately album The trio format provides unusual trumpeter Thomas Marriott shining opener, “Stegosaurus,” or the bluesy improvisational possibilities, espe- brightly on a pair of tunes, rubato menace of “Gargoyles.” cially for horns, giving them a flexible, and the amazing local treasure Bernie Other than a couple of covers, Larsen open-ended canvas for improvisation Jacobs tearing it up on both vocals and wrote all the music, but is quick to give freed from the harmonic constraints flute to open and close the album. credit to his stellar bandmates: “There’s of chordal instruments and larger en- –AL enough improvisation in many of them that I don’t see the composition as ‘fully composed’ until Carmen and Gregg are playing it and contributing their voices.” Larsen’s sound is a clear, lustrous tone, invoking both Chet Baker and the patient expressiveness and atten- tion to timbral detail of Kenny Wheel- er. Belisle- Chi’s nimbly versatile gui- tar work melds expressive, clear twang to ambient washes of noise and space, while Rothwell holds it all down with her earthy, authoritatively deep sound. –AL Various Artists Live at Barca Vol. 1 Self-released Earshot Jazz recently covered the 10-year anniversary of the Live Jazz Thursday sessions, and this album is a fine document of this vital element in the Seattle-area jazz ecosystem. Each Thursday at Barca on Capi- tol Hill, drummer Adam Kessler and bassist Phil Sparks invite a third guest musician from the local scene to create a new trio, and the new album features highlight performances culled from hundreds of resulting sessions. The Barca sessions are truly a com- munity event, with a large cast of regu- lars making the scene week after week,

February 2017 • Earshot Jazz • 17 Jazz Around The Sound February

emphasizing spontaneity and close listening alongside CR Racer Sessions, 8pm 2 Wednesday, February 1 propulsive groove and textural exploration. CZ Blues Open Jam, 7pm JA Jimmy Webb, 7:30pm CZ Choro Music Open Jam w/ Stuart Zobel, 2pm NL Skerik’s Bandalabra w/ Industrial Revelation, 8pm DT Darrell’s Tavern Jazz Jam, 8pm PG Jazz Jam, 8:30pm Friday, February 3 FB A Cup of Joe Brazil, 6pm PM Paul Richardson, 6pm LA Happy hour w/ Phil Sparks, 5pm JA Rachelle Ferrell, 7:30pm SB Rippin Chicken, 10pm BT Live Jazz Trio, 7pm SB Civil Discourse, 10pm TU Smith/Staelens Big Band / Newport HS, 7pm CZ Jazz First Fridays: Tonal Vision & Jump SY Victor Janusz, 10am UC Harold Mabern Quartet, 7pm Ensemble, 7:30pm TB Kevin Connor and Swing 3PO, 5pm VI Bar Tabac, 9pm JA Rachelle Ferrell, 7:30pm VI Bob Hammer, 6pm CH Seattle Improvised Music Festival – Night 2, 8pm VI Ron Weinstein Trio, 9:30pm Thursday, February 2 TU Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto, 7:30pm BC Adam Kessler & Phil Sparks, 9pm AA Those Who Remain: After Hours, 7:30pm Monday, February 6 BD Annie Eastwood and Friends, 5:30pm RR Kahil el Zabar Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, 8pm CC Jam Session Mondays with Entremundos, BP The Rumba Kings, 8:30pm VI Just Chatting, 9pm 9:30pm BT Live Jazz Trio, 7pm MQ Bad News Botanists, 9pm MT Triangle Pub Jam, 8:30pm CZ Jazz First Fridays, 7:30pm CH Seattle Improvised Music Festival – Night 1, 8pm NL Mo Jam Mondays, 8:30pm EU EuroPub Jam Session, 8:30pm SB Funky 2 Death, 10pm RR Royal Room Collective Music Ensemble, 7:30pm JA Rachelle Ferrell, 7:30pm RR The Salute Sessions, 10pm PM Paul Richardson, 6pm Saturday, February 4 SB Open Mic Night, 8pm RR Harris Eisenstadt Old Growth Forest w/ Jeb AA Those Who Remain: After Hours, 7:30pm TU Rick Mandyck Trio, 7:30pm Bishop, Tony Malaby, and Jason Roebke, 7:30pm BT Live Jazz Trio, 7pm SB Aqua Soul, 10pm CH Seattle Improvised Music Festival – Night 3, 8pm Tuesday, February 7 TU Dan Kramlich Trio, 7:30pm CM Hopscotch, 7pm BM Tuesday Totusek Nights, 8pm VI Casey MacGill, 5:30pm JA Rachelle Ferrell, 7:30pm CB West Coast Swing Social, 9pm VI Rik Wright, 9pm NL Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe with The Main HH Jazz at The Hat, 9pm WL Panama Hotel Jazz, 6:30pm Squeeze, 8pm JA Tower of Power, 7:30pm RR Fire Safety and Other Stories, 6pm 2 Harris Eisenstadt Old Growth OW Jam w/ Eric Verlinde, 10pm SB 700 Saturdays, 10pm PM Paul Richardson, 6pm Forest w/ Jeb Bishop, Tony SB Jazz Brunch, 12pm RR The Suffering F*ckheads, 10pm Malaby, and Jason Roebke SB La Familia Valera Miranda, 7:30pm SB Joe Doria Presents, 10pm Formed during Harris Eisenstadt’s September, 2015 SW Stickshift Annie with Kimball and the Fugitives TU Tim Kennedy Band, 7:30pm twelve-set residency at John Zorn’s venue The Stone and John Hodgkin, 8:30pm in New York City, Old Growth Forest soonafter released TU Marc Seales Trio, 7:30pm Wednesday, February 8 VI Don’t Move, 9:30pm its first recording on the Portuguese label Clean Feed BZ Theoretics, 8pm to critical acclaim. Harris Eisenstadt, Jeb Bishop, VI Tarantellas, 6pm JA Tower of Power, 7:30pm Tony Malaby, and Jason Roebke are each respected, PG Jazz Jam, 8:30pm instantly-recognizable musical voices in the worlds of Sunday, February 5 PM Paul Richardson, 6pm adventurous, international jazz and improvised music. AB Beaver Sessions, 9pm QA Chicago 7, 6pm Eisenstadt pens wide-ranging themes for the group, CM Sunday Brunch w/ Climate Change, 12:30pm RR Eric Vloeimans & Will Holshouser, 8pm

Calendar Key

AA Seattle Asian Art Museum EM Easy Monkey Taphouse (Shoreline) QA Queen Anne Beerhall AB The Angry Beaver EU EuroPub RR The Royal Room AN Anchor Pub & Restaurant (Everett) FB Seattle First Baptist Church SA Salmon Bay Eagles BC Barca HH Hattie’s Hat SB Seamonster Lounge BD Bad Albert’s Tap & Grill JA Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley SE Seattle Art Museum BH Benaroya Hall KC Kirkland Performance Center (Kirkland) ST Stage 7 (Kirkland) BM Blue Moon LA Latona Pub SY Salty’s on Alki BP Bake’s Place (Bellevue) MQ Musicquarium @ Triple Door SW Seattle Swedish Club BT Brass Tacks MT Mac’s Triangle Pub TA Tacoma Art Museum (Tacoma) BZ Barboza MV Marine View Church (Tacoma) TB Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria, Wallingford CB Century Ballroom NC North City Bistro & Wine Shop (Shoreline) TD Triple Door CC Capitol Cider NL Nectar Lounge TU Tula’s Restaurant & Jazz Club CH Chapel Performance Space OD Old Edison Inn (Bow) UC Unity Center (Bellingham) CM Crossroads Bellevue (Bellevue) OW Owl ’N Thistle VI Vito’s CR Cafe Racer PC Piccola Cellars (North Bend) CZ Couth Buzzard Books PG Paragon WL Wing Luke Museum DT Darrell’s Tavern PH Panama Hotel All venues located in Seattle unless otherwise noted. EB Elliott Bay Pizza (Mill Creek) PM Pampas Room, El Gaucho Seattle Visit earshot.org/jazz-around-the-sound/ for more EC Edmonds Center for the Arts (Edmonds) PO PONCHO Concert Hall, Cornish College of the Arts event info.

18 • Earshot Jazz • February 2017 SB The Dip, 10pm TU Bill Anschell CD Release Concert w/ Brian TU Jim Sisko’s Bellevue College Jazz Ensemble / Monroney, Chris Symer, Brad Boal, 7:30pm Shorecrest High School, 6:30pm VI Jerry Zimmerman, 6pm Curtain Call UC Matt Jorgensen Trio, 7pm VI Kareem Kandi, 9:30pm weekly recurring performances VI Jason Goessl Group, 9pm VI Mal de Fleur, 12am Thursday, February 9 Sunday, February 12 MONDAY BC Adam Kessler & Phil Sparks, 9pm AB Beaver Sessions, 9pm CC EntreMundos jam, 9:30 BD Annie Eastwood and Friends, 5:30pm CB Live Swing with Dusty 45s, 9:30pm BP The Rumba Kings, 8:30pm CC FADE Quartet, 6pm MT Triangle Pub jam, 8:30 BT Live Jazz Trio, 7pm CM Sunday Brunch w/ Restless, 12:30pm EU EuroJam Session, 8:30pm CR Racer Sessions, 8pm NL Mo’ Jam Mondays, 9 PC Boxwell/Feldman Group feat. Dmitri Matheny, CZ Open Jazz Jam w/ Kenny Mandell, 2pm RR Salute Sessions, 10 7:30pm DT Darrell’s Tavern Jazz Jam, 8pm PM Paul Richardson, 6pm JA Nearly Dan, 7:30pm SB Open Mic Night, 8 SB Aqua Soul, 10pm MV Jazz Live: Steve Oliver, 5pm SE Art of Jazz: Phil Sparks & Adam Kessler’s BC RR Garfield Jazz Jam, 5pm TUESDAY Band, 5:30pm SB Cephalopod, 9pm TU Carrie Wicks Quartet w/ Bill Anschell, Jeff SB Delvon & Amy Lamarr Party, 5pm BM Tuesday Totusek Nights, 8 Johnson, Byron Vannoy, 7:30pm SB Jazz Brunch, 11am CB West Coast Swing Social, 9 VI Casey MacGill, 5:30pm SY Victor Janusz, 10am VI Jennifer Kienzle, 9pm TB Kevin Connor and Swing 3PO, 5pm OW Jam w/ Eric Verlinde, 10 TU Jazz Police Big Band, 4pm Friday, February 10 TU Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra, 7:30pm PM Paul Richardson, 6 VI Bob Hammer, 6pm BT Live Jazz Trio, 7pm SB Joe Doria Presents, 10 CM Northwest Jazz Big Band, 7pm VI Ron Weinstein Trio, 9:30pm JA Tower of Power, 7:30pm WEDNESDAY LA Happy hour w/ Phil Sparks, 5pm Monday, February 13 NC Hopscotch, 8pm CC Jam Session Mondays with Entremundos, PG Jazz Open Mic, 8 RR En Canto, 8pm 9:30pm RR Ray Skjelbred’s Yeti Chasers, 5pm MT Triangle Pub Jam, 8:30pm PM Paul Richardson, 6 SA The Paul Green Jazz/Blues Quartet, 8pm NL Mo Jam Mondays, 8:30pm SB Funky 2 Death, 10pm RR The Salute Sessions, 10pm THURSDAY TU Birch Pereira & the Gin Joints, 7:30pm SB Open Mic Night, 8pm BC Adam Kessler & Phil Sparks, 9 TU Dave Marriott Triskaidekaband, 7:30pm Saturday, February 11 BD Annie Eastwood & Friends, 5:30 BH Valentine’s Day Concert, 8pm Tuesday, February 14 BP 313 Soul feat. Darelle Holden, 7pm BM Tuesday Totusek Nights, 8pm BT Live Jazz Trio, 6 BT Live Jazz Trio, 7pm CB Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dancing w/ Kelley Hunt: EU EuroJam Session, 8 CM 2nd Saturday Presents Deems Tsutakawa, Blues & West Coast Swing, 9pm 7:30pm HH Jazz at The Hat, 9pm PM Paul Richardson, 6 JA Tower of Power, 7:30pm JA Mindi Abair and the Bone Shakers Valentine’s MQ The Paul Green Jazz/Blues Quartet, 8:30pm Celebration, 7:30pm SB Aqua Soul, 10 PH Panama Hotel Jazz, 2pm OW Jam w/ Eric Verlinde, 10pm SB 700 Saturdays, 10pm PM Paul Richardson, 6pm FRIDAY SB Human Ottoman, 8pm RR The Suffering F*ckheads, 10pm BT Live Jazz Trio, 6 LA Happy hour w/ Phil Sparks, 5 SB Funky 2 Death, 10

SATURDAY BT Live Jazz Trio, 7

SUNDAY AB Beaver Sessions, 9 CR Racer Sessions, 8 DT Darrell’s Tavern Jazz Jam, 8 SY Victor Janusz, 10am TB Kevin Connor & Swing 3PO, 5 TU Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra, 7:30 VI Bob Hammer, 6pm VI Ron Weinstein Trio, 9:30

February 2017 • Earshot Jazz • 19 SB Joe Doria Presents, 10pm EU EuroJam Session, 8:30pm free form solo sections by each band member. Tenor TU Gail Pettis Valentine’s Day Party, 7:30pm JA Mindi Abair and the Bone Shakers, 7:30pm saxes: Dick Valentine, Kenny Mandell, and Neil Welch; VI Valentines Day with Kaylee Cole, 7pm PM Paul Richardson, 6pm alto saxes: Seth Alexander and Ivan Arteaga; trumpets: RR Big Band Thing Presents – Ascension Northwest: Jim Knodle and Ray Larsen; piano: Matt McCluskey; Wednesday, February 15 A grateful homage celebrating 90 years since basses: Ryan Berg and Abbey Blackwell; drums: Don CC Birch Pereira & The Gin Joints, 8pm John Coltrane’s birth, 8pm Berman. EC Edmonds Center for the Arts Presents: Naturally SB Aqua Soul, 10pm 7, 7:30pm TD Paris Combo, 7:30pm 16 The Curtis Brothers w/ Ralph TU Marriott Brothers w/ Delvon Lamarr / The Curtis JA Mindi Abair and the Bone Shakers, 7:30pm Peterson / Marriott Brothers PG Jazz Jam, 8:30pm Brothers w/ Ralph Peterson, 7:30pm PM Paul Richardson, 6pm VI Casey MacGill, 5:30pm w/ Delvon Lamarr RR Father Daughter #13, 7:30pm A night of jazz brotherhood! Tula’s presents New York SB Unsinkables, 10pm 16 Big Band Thing Presents – firebrands Luques (bass) & Zaccai Curtis (piano) with TU Kelley Johnson Vocal Jazz Showcase, 7:30pm Ascension Northwest legendary drummer Ralph Peterson. Opening set by UC Emmet Cohen Trio, 7pm Big Band Thing is an 11-piece ensemble created by home-grown jazz brothers David and Thomas Marriott, VI Brad Gibson Presents, 9pm Seattle drummer/composer Don Berman. The set-long joined by rising B-3 star Delvon Lamarr. Reservations@ piece will be a group of Northwest musicians thanking tulas.com or 206-443-4221. Thursday, February 16 John Coltrane for all the inspiration and enlightening BC Adam Kessler & Phil Sparks, 9pm music he gave to all of us. The performance will feature Friday, February 17 BD Annie Eastwood and Friends, 5:30pm the same instrumentation that Trane used on his BT Live Jazz Trio, 7pm BP The Rumba Kings, 8:30pm Ascension recording, which that group never performed CB Century on Tap: Tap Dancing dinner & Swing BT Live Jazz Trio, 7pm live. This original Northwest rendering will use original dance w/ Casey MacGill, 7:30pm motifs for its ensemble sections that alternate with CM Kate Voss & the Big Boss Band, 7pm JA Mindi Abair and the Bone Shakers, 7:30pm LA Happy hour w/ Phil Sparks, 5pm PO Cornish Presents: Jesse Myers, 8pm RR Eugenie Jones Sings Nina Simone, 6:30pm SB Funky 2 Death, 10pm TD Branford Marsalis Quartet w/ Kurt Elling, 8pm TU Dave Peck Trio w/ Jeff Johnson & John Bishop, 7:30pm VI Mike Owcharuk Trio, 9pm Saturday, February 18 BH SRJO: Ella Fitzgerald’s 100th Birthday Celebration with Carmen Bradford, 7:30pm BT Live Jazz Trio, 7pm CB Greg Ruby & The Scofflaw Quintet, 7:30pm EB Annie Eastwood and Chris Stevens Duo, 7pm JA Mindi Abair and the Bone Shakers, 7:30pm NL Flowmotion + Andy Coe with McTuff + Skerik, 8pm RR Amina Claudine Myers, 8pm SB 700 Saturdays, 10pm TD Branford Marsalis Quartet w/ Kurt Elling, 8pm TU Dave Peck Trio w/ Jeff Johnson & John Bishop, 7:30pm VI Tarantellas, 6pm

18-19 SRJO: Ella Fitzgerald’s 100th Birthday Celebration with Carmen Bradford The birthday centennial of “The First Lady of Song” takes place in 2017, and SRJO is pulling out all the stops to celebrate the life and artistry of Ella Fitzgerald, whose voice has thrilled audiences around the globe and remains the standard by which all jazz singers are measured. Award-winning vocalist Carmen Bradford joins SRJO to honor the memory of Ella Fitzgerald.

Sunday, February 19 AB Beaver Sessions, 9pm AN Bob Strickland Jazz Couriers Jam, 5pm CB Jacob Zimmerman & His Pals with special guest Meredith Axelrod, 9pm CC Miz Floes Soul Band, 6pm CM Sunday Brunch w/ Carl Tosten, 12:30pm CR Racer Sessions, 8pm CZ Choro Music Open Jam w/ Stuart Zobel, 2pm CZ Music Improv Session w/ Kenny Mandell, 7pm

20 • Earshot Jazz • February 2017 DT Darrell’s Tavern Jazz Jam, 8pm BP Rod Cook & Toast w/ special guests, 9pm Sunday, February 26 JA Mindi Abair and the Bone Shakers, 7:30pm BT Live Jazz Trio, 7pm AB Beaver Sessions, 9pm JC Panama Hotel Jazz, 7pm CM Pearl Django, 7pm CB George Gee Swing Orchestra, 9pm KC SRJO: Ella Fitzgerald’s 100th Birthday JA Bobby Caldwell, 7:30pm CM Sundae & Mr. Goessl, 12:30pm Celebration with Carmen Bradford, 2pm LA Happy hour w/ Phil Sparks, 5pm CR Racer Sessions, 8pm NL Kneebody, 8pm PO Craig Taborn Quartet, 8pm CZ Open Jazz Jam w/ Kenny Mandell & Friends, 2pm SB Jazz Brunch, 12pm SB Funky 2 Death, 10pm DT Darrell’s Tavern Jazz Jam, 8pm SY Victor Janusz, 10am TU Stephanie Porter Quintet, 7:30pm JA Bobby Caldwell, 7:30pm TB Kevin Connor and Swing 3PO, 5pm VI Lushy, 9:30pm OD Stickshift Annie with Kimball and the Fugitives TD Branford Marsalis Quartet w/ Kurt Elling, 7:30pm with Dan Duggin, 5:30pm TU Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra, 7:30pm Saturday, February 25 SB Jazz Brunch, 12pm TU Jump Ensemble, 3pm BT Live Jazz Trio, 7pm SY Victor Janusz, 10am VI Bob Hammer, 6pm CB Spanish Harlem Orchestra, 8:30pm TB Kevin Connor and Swing 3PO, 5pm VI Ron Weinstein Trio, 9:30pm CZ Lil Sara & The Night Owls, 7:30pm TU Fairly Honest Jazz Band, 3pm EM Stickshift Annie w/ Kimball & the Fugitives, 8pm TU Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra / Edmonds College, Monday, February 20 JA Bobby Caldwell, 7:30pm 7:30pm CC Jam Session Mondays with Entremundos, SB 700 Saturdays, 10pm VI Bob Hammer, 6pm 9:30pm SB Staxx Brothers, 9pm VI Ron Weinstein Trio, 9:30pm MT Triangle Pub Jam, 8:30pm ST JAZZ UNLIMITED: Kareem Kandi Band, 7:30pm NL Mo Jam Mondays, 8:30pm TU Susan Pascal Quartet w/ Marc Seales, Chuck Monday, February 27 RR Royal Room Collective Music Ensemble, 7:30pm Deardorf, Julian MacDonough, 7:30pm CC Jam Session Mondays with Entremundos, RR The Salute Sessions, 10pm VI Jerry Zimmerman, 6pm 9:30pm SB Open Mic Night, 8pm VI Pornadoes, 9:30pm TD Jazz in the City Presents: The Folks Project featuring D’Vonne Lewis, Darrius Willrich, Evan Flory-Barnes, Owour Arunga, 7:30pm TU Ph Factor Big Band, 7:30pm Tuesday, February 21 BM Tuesday Totusek Nights, 8pm CB West Coast Swing Social, 9pm HH Jazz at The Hat, 9pm JA John Scofield’s “Country for Old Men” w/ Vicente Archer, & , 7:30pm OW Jam w/ Eric Verlinde, 10pm PM Paul Richardson, 6pm RR The Suffering F*ckheads, 10pm SB Hot Rod, 8pm SB Joe Doria Presents, 10pm SE Ralph Towner / Anja Lechner & François Couturier, 8pm TU LineUp! Mark Taylor & Dawn Clement, 7:30pm Wednesday, February 22 JA John Scofield’s “Country for Old Men” w/ Vicente Archer, Larry Goldings & Bill Stewart, 7:30pm PG Jazz Jam, 8:30pm PM Paul Richardson, 6pm PO Aaron Parks Trio, 8pm SB Westsound DFC, 10pm TU Eric Verlinde Trio w/ Jeff Busch & Dean Schmidt, 7:30pm UC Mike Allen Quartet with Strings, 7pm VI Wally Shoup, 9pm Thursday, February 23 BC Adam Kessler & Phil Sparks, 9pm BD Annie Eastwood and Friends, 5:30pm BP The Rumba Kings, 8:30pm BT Live Jazz Trio, 7pm EU EuroJam Session, 8:30pm JA Bobby Caldwell, 7:30pm PM Paul Richardson, 6pm PO Cornish Presents: Peter Evans, 8pm SB Aqua Soul, 10pm TU Alex Dugdale Birthday Celebration, 7:30pm VI Casey MacGill, 5:30pm Friday, February 24 BH Live @ Benaroya: Hot Tuna, 8pm

February 2017 • Earshot Jazz • 21 MT Triangle Pub Jam, 8:30pm Notes, from page 4 NL Mo Jam Mondays, 8:30pm RR Nick Finzer / Phil Parisot, 7:30pm RR The Salute Sessions, 10pm help experienced teaching artists lead cluding a day at the Paris Jazz Festival. SB Open Mic Night, 8pm TD Tommy Castro & the Painkillers, 7:30pm training programs and projects in all Only a few spaces available for this ex- TU Clave Gringa Quintet, 7:30pm arts disciplines – from visual arts and clusive, all-inclusive deluxe summer in theater to dance and film. Youth Arts Paris package! More info at marykay- Tuesday, February 28 prioritizes youth or communities with seales.com/paris-2017. BM Tuesday Totusek Nights, 8pm CB West Coast Swing Social, 9pm limited or no access to the arts. Fund- HH Jazz at The Hat, 9pm ing awards range up to $10,000. Learn Write Earshot Jazz JA David Lanz, 7:30pm more at www.seattle.gov/arts. NL “Poly Gras: A Mardi Gras Celebration” feat. The Earshot Jazz magazine reflects Polyrhythmics, 8pm and shares the many ways that jazz OW Jam w/ Eric Verlinde, 10pm On the Horizon PM Paul Richardson, 6pm intersects with lives in the Northwest. RR The Suffering F*ckheads, 10pm Summer on the Seine Earshot Jazz is seeking submissions SB Joe Doria Presents, 10pm SB Michael Owcharuk, 8pm July 14-21 from writers: Please email story pitch- TD James Hunter Six, 7:30pm Deluxe small group tour with Mary es, comments, news and announce- TU Jay Thomas & the Cantaloupes, 7:30pm Kay Seales. Spend a week in Paris, in- ments to [email protected].

Marsalis, from page 15

flexible voice around, is always in tune and is a true jazz musician. When I met Kurt two years ago at a Theloni- ous Monk Institute competition, we had a conversation at the bar about doing a record together.” “I had bumped into Branford on the road a handful of times, and we always had significant conversations,” Elling adds. “So when he mentioned making a record, I said ‘any time.’” What emerged is a collection that blends Songbook staples, jazz stan- dards, and standards-to-be from a di- verse array of composers. The goal from the outset was to cre- ate a true partnership. “The goal here,” says Marsalis, “even though he sings Delivery Service in Seattle lyrics, was to highlight Kurt’s voice as an instrument.” Full Service Elling was more than prepared for Violin Family Dealer the challenge. “I love singing with a Serving Western & Central Washington hard-hitting band,” he confirms. “To Established 1964 be welcomed into the Quartet’s circle, which is all about new challenges and hard blowing, was very important to me. When I asked Branford what to BASSES bring about a week before the date, he said ‘Don’t worry, you’ve got the www.hammondashley.com thing.’ So I brought ‘the thing.’” –Ed., courtesy of the Triple Door

22 • Earshot Jazz • February 2017 PDX, from page 14

Cecil Taylor, Randy Brecker, George atre that is a Portland staple for pre- the familiar and popular Lola’s Room Cables, Esperanza Spalding, and John senting local artists. at Crystal Ballroom, the illustrious re- Abercrombie. Jones’ two shows will The non-profit cultural arts organiza- cital hall of Portland’s Classic Pianos, feature the talents of Carlton Jackson, tion, and co-presenter for the 11-day and the up-and-coming Fremont The- and Mel and Christopher Brown. festival with Portland audio systems ater, opened by local musicians in the Born of the same vein, drummer and company Biamp, notes that show re- hip NE district. educator Ralph Peterson will resur- locations due to the Jimmy Mak’s clo- PDX Jazz proposes: “Come celebrate rect his admired trio TriAngular in sure have expanded the list of Portland a century of innovation while we look celebration of the 2016 album TriAn- venues that the festival will work with back and move forward.” gular III. Achieving early notoriety as this year. Tickets, full schedule, and more in- Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers’ second “It hasn’t been seamless,” says Ar- formation available at pdxjazz.com or drummer, Peterson continued to men- tistic Director Don Lucoff, who was 503-228-5299. tor young talent throughout his own tasked with relocating 11 headlining –Halynn Blanchard career, while creating with a who’s shows previously scheduled at Mak’s. who of jazz heavyweights including Among the handful of new locations is , Charles Lloyd, Branford Marsalis, , and Wynton Marsalis. This year’s festival will also boast a spread of top-notch fusion acts: The Godfather of Neo-Soul Roy Ayers and the funky Farnell Newton & The Othership Connection, the smooth groove of L.A. hip-hop collaborator Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner, the ex- plosive rock electronic/acoustic Knee- body, and longstanding, influential Grammy Award-winning contempo- rary jazz group Yellowjackets with guitarist . Another selection of featured pia- nists perform: Seattle’s prodigal son, piano star Aaron Parks, critically acclaimed Portland composer Ezra Weiss, ECM recording electronic key- boardist Craig Taborn with his quar- tet, Arkansas-born blues/jazz/gospel pianist Amina Claudine Myers, and Colombian-born Latin fusion pianist Hector Martignon. Gillespie is further remembered through a weeklong residency of free shows at Al’s Den below the Crystal Hotel. The series includes a music duel of Chet Baker versus and local big bands playing Gillespie- inspired tunes. Meanwhile, a few free late night shows take place at Art Bar, a venue attached to Winningstad The-

February 2017 • Earshot Jazz • 23 NON-PROFIT ORG Earshot Jazz U.S. POSTAGE 3429 Fremont Place N, #309 PAID Seattle, WA 98103 PERMIT No. 14010 SEATTLE, WA Change Service Requested

COVER: Eugenie Jones Photo by Daniel Sheehan In this issue... A $35 basic membership in Earshot brings Letter from the Director: The Rising Tide______2 the newsletter to your door and entitles you to Earshot JazZ discounts at all Earshot events. Your member- Notes______4 MEMBE r s h IP ship also helps support all our educational programs and concert presentations. In One Ear______4 Type of membership 2016 Golden Ear Awards Ballot______5 Individual ($35) Additional tax-deductible donation ______Household ($60) Patron ($100) Sustaining ($200) Profile: Eugenie Jones______6 Other Preview: Earshot Jazz: Sound In Motion______8 Sr. Citizen – 30% discount at all levels Canadian subscribers please add $5 additional postage (US funds) Preview: 32nd Seattle Improvised Music Festival______13 Regular subscribers – to receive newsletter 1st class, please add $10 for extra postage Preview: 2017 PDX Jazz Festival______14 Contact me about volunteering ______Preview: Branford Marsalis Quartet with special NAME guest Kurt Elling______15 ______ADDRESS For the Record: Choice Recent, Local Releases__ 16 ______Jazz Around the Sound______18 CITY/STATE/ZIP ______PHONE # EMAIL

______Earshot Jazz is a nonprofit tax-exempt organization. Ask your employer if your company has a matching gift program. It can easily double the value of your membership or donation. Mail to Earshot Jazz, 3429 Fremont Pl N, #309, Seattle, WA 98103