Sierra Maestra At Town Hall
April 10th, 2012
In this third presentation of the Earshot Jazz Spring Series, Sierra Maestra put on a spell binding performance on Saturday March 31st at Town Hall, that had a large portion of the audience up on the floor dancing the entire concert with some so moved they came up on the stage for brief cameos.
Revered in Cuba for decades, Sierra Maestra was originally formed by Juan de Marcos Gonzalez, who subsequently served as guiding spirit and musical director for the Buena Vista Social Club. As the first of the modern-era groups to play in the old-style son lineup – tres, guitar, trumpet, bongo, guiro and vocals – Sierra Maestra recalls the style’s golden age of the 1920s and 30s.
Five of the original nine members remain: Alejandro Suarez Galarraga, band director and claves; Carlos Puisseaux Mansfarroll, guiro; Eduardo Himely Pino, bass; Luis Barzaga Sosa, vocals; Alberto Virgilio Valdes Decalo, vocals and maracas. They are pioneers in reviving this style for new generations and reintroducing it into the Cuban – and global – mainstream.
Joining the five originals are Yelfris Valdes Espinosa, trumpet; Eduardo “Niquito” Rico Menendez, bongos, congas and cowbell; Jesus Bello Diaz, vocals and acoustic guitar; Emilio Ramos Batista, vocals and tres.
The group was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2010 and now celebrates 35 years since their formation. World Music Central says, “If son is indeed the soul of Cuba, then Sierra Maestra are the heartbeat at the center of that soul.”
Though son is a traditional, rural music with roots that stretch back almost a century, this simply isn’t a golden oldies kind of a band. Yes, four-part harmonies and acoustic instruments, but Sierra Maestra is as formidable and powerful a band as the mountain range in eastern Cuba for which they are named – their tribute to the birthplace of son.
Check out Rumbero Soy (2002), on which the group invites guest guitarist Marc Ribot for a couple of tracks and guests Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo of the Buena Vista Social Club for additional vocals. It’s a great recording that ventures beyond traditional son. Also seek out Tibiri Tabara (2005), a challenge in the age of embargo.
Ben Williams Group
March 21st, 2012
In the second presentation of the Earshot Jazz Spring Series, Ben Williams put on a tremendously pleasing show last Saturday night. Rising-star bassist Ben Williams performed with his group at the Seattle Art Museum, downtown. The Washington DC-born, Harlem-based bandleader, musical educator, composer, electric and acoustic bassist was the winner of the 2009 Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Competition, an award that helped the young artist produce his debut CD release State of Art. That record has galvanized Williams as an emerging and prominent voice in the jazz today.
State of Art is a mature statement stamped with his voice: “I wanted to make an album that regular nine-to-five people could enjoy,” Williams says, “and to make a deep artistic statement as well. I like music that grooves, and I make sure that my music feels good.” Even before the release of State of Art, Williams was one of the most sought after young bassists in the world; his resume is a who’s who of jazz wisdom: Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Terence Blanchard, Christian McBride Big Band, Nicholas Payton, Paquito D’Rivera, Cyrus Chestnut, Benny Golson, Roy Hargrove, and Mulgrew Miller, to name a few. Williams’ warm, woody tone, flowing groove, melodic phrasing and storytelling approach has found favor among musicians, but also a larger audience.
On the bassist’s appeal, Nate Chinen of the New York Times writes, “Williams took several long solos in his first set at The Jazz Gallery … and each one felt more like an entitlement than an indulgence.” He’s a natural who shares through his music what he sees happening in the world right now. From the liner notes of State of Art, by Williams: “This album is my honest and humble attempt at expressing (musically) what it feels like to be alive in 2011.” In this February’s issue of JazzTimes magazine, writer Giovanni Russonello reports on Williams and contemporaries in Harlem doing just that – Christian Scott, Gerald Clayton, Justin Brown, Jamire Williams. “It’s almost like a second coming of the Harlem Renaissance,” trumpeter Christian Scott says.
Wayne Horvitz Band featuring Skerik, Joe Doria & D’Vonne Lewis
August 12th, 2011
Wayne Horvitz Band featuring Skerik, Joe Doria & D’Vonne Lewis performed on a beautiful August afternoon in the Bill and Melinda Gates amphitheater at the Seattle Art Museum Sculpture Park. Earshot Jazz, which put on the concert as part of its concert series “Art of Jazz“, describes the sound of the group as “ New York Attitude from Seattle Jazz-Funk Masters”.
I thought it was great hearing Joe on the Hammond B-3 with Wayne on keyboards. Skerik blew real hard and D’Vonne kept a steady and cool beat going. What a beautiful evening performance with fantastic art all around the park. I especially love Richard Serra’s sculpture “Wave” in the background. The next concert in the Art of Jazz series will be on September 8th with “The Teaching” at the Seattle Art Museum, downtown, 5:30 pm.
As you can see there was a great turnout. I like shooting in this space. I can get pictures unlike any other venue.
Operation ID | Jazz Photography
July 29th, 2011
Last night Operation ID closed out Jazz: The Second Century, the July Series of concerts put on Earshot Jazz by at the Chapel Performance Space on Thursday nights. It ended with a buzz haircut of Ivan Arteaga as he continued to perform. See bottom pictures.
Operation ID consists of Jared Borkowski on guitar, David Balatero on bass, Rob Hanlon on keyboards, Ivan Arteaga on reeds, and Evan Woodle on drums.
Operation ID : Originally interested in the spontaneity of free-jazz, Operation ID’s open mindedness has guided them to embrace a position of willingness when experimenting with new sounds and musical approaches. They have grown from being exclusively instrumental to frequently incorporating group vocals. Some well-known influences include Steve Reich, Talk Talk, Hella, Prince, XTC, Richie Hawtin, and Deerhoof.
Kris Davis, Tyshawn Sorey, Ingrid Laubrock Trio
July 8th, 2011
Saturday Night, Earshot Jazz presented Kris Davis, Tyshawn Sorey, Ingrid Laubrock Trio at the Chapel Performance Space. Their creative collaboration in the unique venue was an wonderful event to witness.
“The trio is a truly collective effort. How and where it came about is a perfect reflection of the real world of working jazz musicians.
About two and a half years ago, shortly after Laubrock moved to New York, all three musicians got together for a session. Davis and Sorey had met earlier, playing together in another group. They were exploring a different context of collaboration, and Davis invited Laubrock to join them.
“It was an informal session,” Davis says in recent interview, “the kind of thing musicians do in New York possibly a couple of times a week as a way to meet people, have new music read, etc.” After improvising for almost two hours, it was clear the trio was something special and the music had to be explored further. Kris says there was “that instant connection and understanding, and we were excited to see where it could go.”
The trio met a few more times and began working with new music, each musician bringing original compositions. The music was written earlier for different groups, but the trio found new ways to make it their own. They soon began regular performances, interpreting the written material afresh each time.
In Davis’s words: “The way we play together … it feels like you can do no wrong – whether you are improvising or playing written music – it is wonderful.”
Continue reading story by Greg Pincuson on Earshot Jazz‘s website
From Norway – In the Country
July 2nd, 2011
Here are some more pictures from last Saturday’s Earshot Jazz Concert at Tula’s, In the Country. The trio featured pianist Morten Qvenild (formerly of Jaga Jazzist), bass player Roger Arntzen, and drummer Pål Hausken.
In the Country
June 25th, 2011
Tonight at Tula’s Restaurant and Jazz Club, Earshot Jazz presented a concert by the exceptional jazz artists from Norway, In the Country. The trio featured pianist Morten Qvenild (formerly of Jaga Jazzist), bass player Roger Arntzen, and drummer Pål Hausken. The group’s third album, Whiteout, released in 2009, is a soaring, progressive work, reminiscent of The Bad Plus. They put on a 2 great sets and I will post more pictures soon.
Earshot Jazz Golden Ear Awards 2011
March 21st, 2011
Chuck Deardorf Quintet with Warren Rand (alto sax), Dawn Clement (piano), Dave Peterson (guitar), Gary Hobbs (drums), and Deardorf (bass) played at Tula’s before the start of the Golden Ear Awards.
Chuck Deardorf is a regular performer in the Seattle area; a full-time professor of bass at the Cornish College of the Arts, where he’s also served as music faculty chair; and a member of Centrum’s 2011 Jazz Port Townsend faculty. His quintet warmed up the Tula’s stage at 7pm, ahead of the presentation of awards at 8pm. Celebrated jazz radio programmer Jim Wilke emceed the event. It was a wonderful laid back evening and I congratulate all of the nominees and winners.
The Kora Band, Cascades (OA2 Records) won the NW Recording of the Year Award presented by Rochelle House, left to Andrew Oliver, Kane Mathis, and Chad McCullough.
Tom Marriott gathered the honors for NW Acoustic Jazz Ensemble of the Year for Thomas Marriott’s Flexicon
Alternative Jazz Group of the Year and NW Concert of the Year were both awarded to Speak with drummer Chris Icasiano accepting the award with Andrew Swanson
Bill Anschell, piano, was surprised and grateful to win NW Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year
And NW Vocalist of the Year went to Gail Pettis
Chuck Deardorf was also surprised when he was inducted into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame
Wayne Horvitz was also Inducted into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame.
Another award announced but not in attendance was Paul Kikuchi for Emerging Artist of the Year
After all the awards were given out I got a photo of all of the nominees for NW Vocalist of the Year
Valerie Joyce, Gail Pettis, Kelley Johnson and Greta Mattassa 2010 NW Vocalist of the Year Nominees.
Kenny Werner All-Stars -Earshot Jazz Spring Series
March 17th, 2011
Kenny Werner played with special guests David Sanchez, Randy Brecker, Scott Colley & Antonio Sanchez at The Triple Door March 6th as part of the Earshot Jazz Spring Series.
Kenny Werner is among the most gifted of pianists in jazz, possessed of a technique at once stunning in its range and sophistication and ear-opening in its aesthetic richness and depth. That reflects the scope of his experience in jazz. Early in Brooklyn-raised Werner’s career, he recorded early jazz, then played with Charles Mingus, and next toured and recorded extensively with Archie Shepp, and went on with stints with the likes of Mel Lewis and his orchestra, saxophonist Joe Lovano, and harmonica star Toots Thielemans.
A remarkable aspect of Werner’s career has been that he has developed his approach to playing into a pedagogy. He came by his approach through many years of thoughtfulness about music and life. In his 1996 book Effortless Mastery: Liberating the Master Musician Within, Werner, who teaches at New York University, explains how he has done just that in his own, séance-like playing. Werner’s All-Stars extend the lineup he featured on his 2006 recording Democracy Now (Half Note) with David Sanchez, one of the most sizzling of modern sax players.
From Puerto Rico, Sanchez has won the highest praise from the critics. Howard Reich said of him: “Technically, tonally, and creatively, he seems to have it all. His sound is never less than plush, his pitch is unerring, his rapid-fire playing is ravishing in its combination of speed, accuracy, and utter evenness of tone. What results is far closer to the more daring postbop tradition than to standard Latin music.”
As advanced a player as Sanchez is the seasoned trumpeter and flugelhorn player Randy Brecker, a veteran of a vast range of musical projects – not just the bands of jazz legends like Horace Silver and Jaco Pastorius, but also those of pop and rock stars of many kinds: James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Parliament Funkadelic, Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan, Frank Zappa. Is there another musician alive who could boast a range of collaborations to match that?
Completing the lineup is bassist Scott Colley, a veteran of more than 200 recordings who has backed Herbie Hancock, Jim Hall, Andrew Hill, Pat Metheny, and many others, along with Mexican drummer Antonio Sanchez. A percussionist since age 5, Sanchez studied classical piano at the National Conservatory in Mexico before enrolling at Berklee and graduating with the highest honors. From there, he became a drummer of choice for many of the modern greats of jazz, including Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Gary Burton, and Charlie Haden.
Wayne Horvitz, Briggan Krauss, and Lê Quan Ninh
April 1st, 2010
Wayne Horvitz, Briggan Krauss, and Lê Quan Ninh perform at The Chapel Performance Space at Good Shepher Center Thursday night as the Earshot Jazz Spring Series continues strong.
Keyboardist Wayne Horvitz, alto saxophonist Briggan Krauss, and percussionist Lê Quan Ninh, make up a diverse and crackling trio. Their set sparked and crackled with energy and yet I loved the quiet spaces setting it off. Ninh is a classically trained percussionist and veteran of contemporary music and percussion ensembles in Europe and North America. As an improviser, Ninh works in forms that mix improvised acoustic and electro-acoustic music, dance, poetry, experimental cinema, and photography. Krauss is a New York based saxophonist, composer, and sound artist, and is also a founding member of the bizarre and wonderful ensemble Sex Mob. Krauss has a strong musical relationship with Horvitz, working together in the Trio KVH with Vancouver percussionist Dylan Van Der Schyff. As ever, Horvitz brought his signature wit, intelligence, and adventurousness to the trio. The band was perfectly suited for the intimate Chapel Performance Space. Jazz Photography by Seattle photographer Daniel Sheehan who covers jazz performances, and creates portrait photography for publications and corporations and a Seattle Wedding Photographer at A Beautiful Day Photography, a wedding photographer with an artistic photojournalist style. Visit his newest website EYESHOTPHOTOS.COM to see samples of all of his work as a Seattle Photographer.