The first week of 2012 is loaded with great live jazz! This week we play a number of bands we haven’t played before, which always makes us happy, and some old friends too.
If you like any of the music you hear, please support the artists and purchase their album by clicking on the CD cover.
- Scenes – “Contours”
Click to Buy
From the CD Silent Photographer (Origin Records)
Scenes is a wonderful trio of John Stowell on guitar, Jeff Johnson on bass and John Bishop. These three masters have been playing together for a decade, and it shows in the interplay they achiever. Their latest album is just fantastic, and we’re glad they’ll be playing in town this week. This is one not to miss.
Upcoming show: Wed., Jan 11th @ Tula’s - Dan O’Brien – “Luna Tucumana”
Click to Buy
From the CD Inside Out (Pony Boy Records)
Dan O’Brien has been one of the leading bassist on the Seattle jazz scene for years, but he doesn’t often play out as a leader. This week he heads a trio at Boxley’s, which gave us an opportunity to play a tune from his great quintet record that features Chris Fagan and Mike West on saxes, Craig Hoyer on piano and Greg Williamson on drums. We’re always glad to find a new Seattle jazz artist to play on the podcast.
Upcoming show: Fri., Jan. 6th @ Boxley’s - The McKarrtet – “It’s Always Sunny Above The Clouds”
Click to Buy
From the CD Ours (self-produced)
The McKarrtet is a talent quintet of young musicians who all came out of our are still in some of the region’s top high school jazz programs. Their music is modern, yet it’s clear that they’ve all done their homework and know the roots of the music. It’s exciting to see such young talent in the Seattle jazz scene and we’re happy to play them. Their show this week will be the last for a while as two of the members head back to college. The group features Chris McCarthy on piano, Schuyler Karr on bass, Thomas Campbell on drums, Cameron Vohr on tenor and Nolan Tsang on trumpet.
Upcoming show: Fri., Jan 6th @ The LAB - Hammon Esvelt Quintet – “Love’s Not Time’s Fool”
Click to Buy
From the CD Slightly in the Tradition (self-produced)
Tenorman Gary Hammon and trumpeter Erik Esvelt have been playing together since 2005, and released their debut CD last year. They’ve been gigging around town and we’re glad to have some music to play from this great band, which also features Karin Kajita on piano, Todd Gowers on bass and Frank Clayton on drums. This is one of Erik’s compositions, and captures the band’s aesthetic, which is, as the title of the CD suggests, to put their own spin on the jazz tradition.
Upcoming show: Fri., Jan. 6th @ Third Place Books - Byron Vannoy’s Thread – “Loom”
Click to Buy
From the CD Thread (self-produced)
We’re playing Thread to feature to of the performers at the Seattle Drums School’s Teacher Feature that is happening at the North Seattle location this Saturday at 3pm. Drummer Byron Vannoy and vibraphonist Jacques Willis are featured here with Dean Schmidt on electric bass and Thione Diop on percussion. The two will be playing along with Drum School founder Steve Smith, among others.
Upcoming show: Sat., Jan. 7th @ The LAB - Marc Seales – “John Lee, I Got The Blues Right Now”
Click to Buy
From the CD American Songs, Vol. 1 (self-produced)
Marc Seales brings a great new band to Tula’s this week, with Jeff Johnson on bass, Warren Rand on sax and Todd Strait on drums. This Seattle/Portland band is sure to get into all kinds of fun on the gig. This tune is one from Marc’s latest CD with Cuong Vu on trumpet, Dave Captein on bass and Gary Hobbs on drums.
Upcoming show: Sat. Jan. 7th @ Tula’s - Johnaye Kendrick – “Umbrella”
Click for Info
Exclusive, soon-to-be-released track
Johnaye Kendrick is spending the first part of the month in New York played at Birdland with Nicholas Payton, then hurrying home for two shows with her band featuring Dawn Clement on piano, Chris Symer on bass and Byron Vannoy on drums. This unit is becoming one of the tightest working groups in town, so don’t miss them! This track is from her soon-to-be-released debut album.
Upcoming shows: Thurs., Jan. 12th @ SAM’s Art of Jazz Series & Fri., Jan. 13th @ Tula’s - Aria Prame – “Dindi”
Click to Buy
From the CD Lost And Lookin’ (Pony Boy Records)
Aria Prame released her debut CD late last year, and it’s smokin’! Her band consists of Eric Verlinde on piano, Chuck Kistler on bass, Jeremy Jones on drums and Clark Gibson on sax and flute, and she’s picked some great tunes, including this Jobim cut. She’ll be playing with the band, sans Gibson, at Boxley’s this week.
Upcoming show: Sat., Jan. 7th @ Boxley’s
Happy New Year! Here’s to a jazz-filled 2012!
Share It!