Jazz and Blues

Win tickets to see Patricia Barber at Victoria JazzFest

Brenda Goldstein-Young — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:48:11 +0000

Enter here to win!

Jazz vocalist Patricia Barber at Alix Goolden Hall, sponsored by KPLU
June 27, 7:30 p.m.
Part of the TD Victoria International JazzFest

Chicago’s Patricia Barber is a uniquely talented singer/songwriter/pianist who brilliantly straddles the junction of jazz and blues (with a few pop songs like “Ode To Billie Joe” thrown in for good measure).

Join us for KPLU's 2013 Summer Jazz Brunch Cruise!

Brenda Goldstein-Young — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:00:00 +0000

KPLU's Summer Jazz Brunch Cruise is Sunday, August 25. Join us for a relaxing, two-and-a-half hour cruise on Elliott Bay aboard the Royal Argosy.

Enjoy a scrumptious all-you-can-eat brunch, spectacular views, and great music from this year's special guest artist--one of the finest up-and-coming international jazz talents and freshest voices to come along in years--Halie Loren--performing with her quartet.

KPLU's Jazz Brunch Cruises are a summertime favorite for Northwest residents and out-of-town guests.

This year's cruise will be emceed by KPLU jazz host Kevin Kniestedt. The boat leaves Seattle's Pier 56 at 10:30 a.m. and returns at 1 p.m. Tickets are $65.

Get detailed information and purchase your tickets HERE.

Thanks to the LaConner Chamber of Commerce for their support.

Bert Wilson featured on Jazz NW June 16

Jim Wilke — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Bert Wilson was an inspiration, mentor, and brilliant saxophonist who passed on June 6 in Olympia at age 73. Some of his large output of music was featured on Jazz Northwest on Sunday June 16 at 2 PM Pacific on 88.5 KPLU and kplu.org. Although not widely known to the jazz public, he was sought out by saxophonists who regarded him as a guru of improvisation, extended techniques and the history of the instrument.

Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo: 'Better than caffeine'

Justin Steyer and Abe Beeson — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:30:35 +0000

Frank Vignola is well-known as one of the most amazing guitarists on today’s jazz scene. Five years ago he hooked up with a young, extremely accomplished guitarist named Vinny Raniolo.

Since then they’ve worked together in a number of different group configurations but they’re at their best when it’s just the two of them, each armed with an acoustic guitar and a great desire to have a good time.

And that’s exactly what they do in this studio session with jazz host, Abe Beeson.

Jazz Northwest for June 9

Jim Wilke — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Multi-instrumentalist Jay Thomas has two tunes with "Cantaloupe" in the title on his latest CD ("Cantaloupe Island" and "Cantaloupe Woman." His quartet has hence become known as "The Cantaloupes" and they've been playing many gigs around the area. We'll hear them this week on Jazz Northwest , plus a pair of Portland singers Mary Kadderly & Nancy King, Chris Amemiya and Jazz Coalescence, more - plus best bets for live jazz in the coming week including samples from an upcoming Brazilian Choro festival!

"All Your Love" tracked through time

John Kessler — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 19:00:00 +0000

Otis Rush brought such passion and emotion to his singing and guitar playing that his music has been called “frighteningly intense”. Rush never achieved the commercial success that he might have, but along with Buddy Guy and Magic Sam, he is acknowledged to be one of the architects of the Chicago blues sound of the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Carlos Cascante y su Tumbao: Jazz Caliente ... Live!

Justin Steyer and Robin Lloyd — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 21:40:33 +0000

Every Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. KPLU jazz host, Robin Lloyd, presents a feature called Jazz Caleinte—a set of three Latin jazz songs that are embellished by Robin’s comments and insights into all forms of Latin and Afro-Cuban jazz.

Recently Robin hosted her first live Jazz Caliente session with vocalist, Carlos Cascante, and his band, Tumbao.

Hilton Ruiz tribute, Arsenio Rodriguez honored

Robin Lloyd — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 19:00:00 +0000

Latin Jazz pianist Hilton Ruiz died in New Orleans in 2006 from unexplained injuries. He left behind an unfinished musical project that was to have benefited Hurricane Katrina victims.

Marco Matute has launched a PledgeMusic project that will produce the CD that Hilton intended, along with a documentary film about Hilton Ruiz. Here's a preview of the film. And here's some of Hilton's music:

Two-guitar trio in Ballard, and an anniversary in Pioneer Square on Jazz Northwest

Jim Wilke — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Jazz Northwest visits two gigs this week. First is a two-guitar trio with John Stowell and Dave Peterson on guitars and Bruce Phares on bass playing at Skarbos during the Ballard Jazz Walk last April. The trio of long-time friends plays a set of standards in very comfortable surroundings with an attentive audience.

John Henry's legend lives through music

John Kessler — Fri, 31 May 2013 19:00:00 +0000

The Legend of John Henry is an iconic myth of American railroad history, a battle between man and steam drill. One of the intriguing things about the legend is that no one knows for sure if John Henry existed. At least part of the myth is based on historical events from the mid-1800’s; some say the source lies in Alabama, others point to West Virginia, both places where significant railroad tunnels were dug.

The Greyboy Allstars: A serious party band

Justin Steyer and Abe Beeson — Wed, 29 May 2013 21:59:44 +0000

During this performance interview with The Greyboy Allstars, KPLU jazz host, Abe Beeson, called their latest CD (Inland Emperor) ‘the party album of 2013.’

The Greyboy Allstars’ reputation as a party/dance band is well-earned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWnQwYX4pCQ

Jazz Northwest for May 26

Jim Wilke — Sun, 26 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

The Sixth Annual Bellevue Jazz Festival starts next Wednesday and runs through the weekend. There will be more than 40 live free performances in restaurants and other public areas in downtown Bellevue, plus three headliner concerts featuring Carlos Cascante y su Tumbao, Kendrick Scott Oracle, and the Cyrus Chestnut Trio + Stefon Harris. This week we preview the festival and provide more info about other jazz events on Jazz Northwest.

'Bring it on Home,' the long way through time

John Kessler — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Sonny Boy Williamson was a blues originator who helped shape the sound of modern blues. In his life, he knew the first generation of Delta bluesmen, and would go on to see the birth of modern rock music. He played with Robert Johnson in the 1930’s, and with Eric Clapton in the 1960’s.

He was a major radio star in the 1940’s on King Biscuit Time, America’s first live blues radio show. He wrote dozens of songs that became blues standards, notably “Help Me” and “Eyesight to the Blind." He recorded “Bring It On Home” in 1963, but didn’t release it until 1966.

Two new Latin Jazz recordings to anticipate!

Robin Lloyd — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:00:00 +0000

To be released this spring (date TBD): Gonzalo Rubalcaba's Volcan

This band is comprised of musical masters, experienced bandleaders and good friends: Jose Armando Gola-bass, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez-drums, Giovanni Hidalgo-congas and Gonzalo Rubalcaba-piano.

Saxophonist Tineke Postma in concert on Jazz Northwest

Jim Wilke — Sun, 19 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Noted Dutch saxophonist Tineke Postma recently played in Seattle as part of the Art Of Jazz Series at The Seattle Art Museum. The concert was recorded for broadcast on Jazz Northwest and aired this Sunday, May 19 on 88.5, KPLU.

The Seattle appearance was the first for the saxophonist and composer who was on a nationwide tour that concluded with a performance at the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival at The Kennedy Center in Washington. For her concert at SAM she was joined by Seattle musicians Tim Kennedy, piano, Evan Flory-Barnes, bass and D'Vonne Lewis, drums.