Ballard Jazz Festival Preview: A Seattle Rite Of Spring

Source: Paul Rauch
April 1, 2017
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The Ballard Jazz Festival, Seattle's most anticipated and community oriented jazz event, will take place May 17-20, and will headline legendary saxophonist,

Chico Freeman

saxophone
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Chico Freeman.

Dubbed three decades ago as one of the “young lions" of jazz for his participation in recordings with other “stars to be," such as

Wynton Marsalis

trumpet
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Wynton Marsalis,

Kevin Eubanks

guitar
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Kevin Eubanks, and

" data-original-title="" title="">Paquito D'Rivera, Freeman's career has established him as one of the true modern masters of the saxophone, and jazz composition. Freeman will be featured at the festival finale, saturday evening's Mainstage Concert, and will be accompanied by the

George Colligan

multi-instrumentalist
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">George Colligan Trio, featuring Seattle born and bred musicians

Matt Jorgensen

drums
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Jorgensen, and

Evan Flory-Barnes

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Evan Flory-Barnes. Opening for Mr. Freeman will be Scenes, the transcendent guitar trio featuring

John Stowell

guitar, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">John Stowell, iconic bassist

Jeff Johnson

bass
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeff Johnson, and drummer

John Bishop

drums
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">John Bishop. For this performance they will be joined by

Rick Mandyck

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Rick Mandyck, a Seattle saxophone legend who after a fourteen year absence, is making his presence felt on the local scene

Spanning four days in the historic Ballard neighborhood, the festival has maintained its community feel throughout it's history, this year celebrating its 15th edition. Each year, the festival attracts national and international talent surrounded by the best of the Seattle jazz scene. “I want to make sure it's a local festival, so it sounds like Seattle," says festival organizer and Seattle jazz impresario John Bishop, “It will be a celebration of that." Each year, rather than simply bring in marquee talent from around the country, national talent is paired with northwest musicians, creating a great opportunity for musicians and fans alike to mingle. This is rooted in the awareness of what makes a jazz scene vital, whether at the festival, or in clubs throughout the year, that “the hang" is essential, and creates a vibe that is compelling and welcoming. Promoted and staged by Origin Records, the Seattle jazz label operated by drummers Bishop and Matt Jorgensen, this year's event also celebrates the 20th anniversary of the highly regarded label.

The festival celebrates the multiple musical crosscurrents that constitute the Seattle jazz community, mixing traditional and cutting edge elements. For example, during Friday evening's jazz walk, within two blocks one can experience the experimentalism of the Tables and Chairs showcase, premier jazz vocalists such as

Greta Matassa

vocals
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">Greta Matassa and

Gail Pettis

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Gail Pettis, and brilliant Spanish pianist

Marina Albero

piano
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Marina Albero. This multiplicity of sounds that together form this music we call jazz, is displayed prominently throughout the four day event.

The first two nights of the festival are staged at the Conor Byrne Pub on Ballard Avenue. The Wednesday night opener, Brotherhood of the Drum, features ensembles lead by some of the most innovative drummers in modern jazz. This year features Portland based drummer

Gary Hobbs

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Gary Hobbs, a jazz veteran who has throughout the years performed with the Stan Kenton Orchestra,

Randy Brecker

trumpet
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Randy Brecker,

Eddie Harris

saxophone, tenor
1934 - 1996

" data-original-title="" title="">Eddie Harris, and

George Cables

piano
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">George Cables among many others. Seattle's

Greg Williamson

drums
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Greg Williamson shares the bill, bringing a jazz pedigree bred by touring and performing with such prominent artists as

Ernestine Anderson

vocals
1928 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Ernestine Anderson,

Steve Allen

composer / conductor
1921 - 2000

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Allen,

Red Kelly

bass
b.1927

" data-original-title="" title="">Red Kelly and

Ray Brown

bass, acoustic
1926 - 2002

" data-original-title="" title="">Ray Brown. In keeping with the theme of progressive diversity and inclusiveness, drummer

Christopher Icasiano

drums
b.1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Christopher Icasiano will perform with saxophonist

Neil Welch

saxophone, tenor
b.1985

" data-original-title="" title="">Neil Welch, in the eclectic modern jazz duo, Bad Luck. Known for pushing boundaries with fearless improvisation, the band has produced four albums, displaying an amazing array of sounds, and a musical language all their own.

Thursday night brings the Guitar Summit, a gathering of guitar led bands at historic Conor Byrne, formerly, The Owl Cafe. Guitarist and composer

Brad Shepik

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Brad Shepik headlines, featuring a performance resume that includes

Charlie Haden

bass, acoustic
1937 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Haden's Liberation Orchestra,

Carla Bley

piano
1938 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Carla Bley,

Paul Motian

drums
1931 - 2011

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Motian and

Dave Douglas

trumpet
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Douglas. He has recorded nine albums as a leader, and is an esteemed jazz educator as well. Also on the bill is

Dan Balmer

guitar
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Dan Balmer, long considered one of the top guitarists in the northwest. Balmer has performed with

Diane Schuur

vocals
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Diane Schuur,

Benny Green

piano
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Benny Green,

Joey DeFrancesco

organ, Hammond B3
1971 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Joey DeFrancesco, and

Bill Mays

piano
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Mays, and is a frequent performer on the local scene. Opening will be Cole Schuster, who has become a prominent voice on the Seattle jazz scene, performing with his band, 200 Trio. His versatility and chops have been utilized by multiple performers throughout the region, and his ascendent profile is gaining visibility throughout the city as a go to performer in sessions, and onstage alike.

The Ballard Jazz Walk on Friday night turns Ballard Avenue into Bourbon St. for an evening, where for a single price, you can take in 17 artists in 9 venues. This event is where the Ballard Jazz Festival was born, and in many ways, is the heart and soul of the festival. Here, community is celebrated, the Seattle jazz scene is united in one celebratory evening. The diversity of sounds and styles that happen throughout the year are able to congregate in one spot, creating a wonderful night of music, and a fellowship of performer and patron alike. This year features The Origin Uber Band, led by drummer John Bishop, The George Colligan Trio, sensational Spanish pianist Marina Albero, a reunion of Matt Jorgensen +451, premier vocalists Greta Matassa and Gail Pettis, The Hammond B-3 Soul Review featuring

Delvon Lamarr

organ, Hammond B3

" data-original-title="" title="">Delvon Lamarr, Happy Orchestra,

Bill Anschell

piano
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Anschell,

Jay Thomas

saxophone, tenor
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Jay Thomas,

Phil Parisot

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Phil Parisot, and more.

The Mainstage Concert Saturday night, caps the event at the Nordic Heritage Museum, featuring the aforementioned Mr. Freeman. In surrounding him with the great Portland based pianist, George Colligan, and top tier Seattle musicians Evan Flory-Barnes (bass), and Matt Jorgensen (drums), the festival maintains a Seattle tradition rooted in the history of such legendary city jazz clubs as the Black and Tan, The Penthouse Jazz Club, Parnell's, and Jazz Alley, when it was a small bistro in the University district. In many ways, the Seattle jazz scene is a hidden gem, tucked away in the northwest, waiting to be discovered and rediscovered by touring jazz giants, and the elite jazz audience that assembles each year for this Seattle rite of spring. Patrons new to jazz are able to sample a colorful array of jazz artists they can then seek out and enjoy throughout the year at such venues as Tula's, The Royal Room, Egan's, and Nectar. The Ballard Jazz Festival is about community, it's roots embedded deep in the Seattle jazz tradition. What began as a jazz walk with five venues, has grown to become a much anticipated annual celebration of Seattle's jazz heritage.

For a full schedule, see the festival website below.

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