10 A Jazzman's Jazzman: The Gerry Carruthers Stor
Cro-Magnon Pictures presents a unique blend of mockumentary and stop-motion animation in the film A Jazzman's Jazzman: The Gerry Carruthers Story. Equal parts Spinal Tap and Ken Burns' Jazz, it follows the life and times of fictional pianist Gerry Carruthers as he struggles for fame and recognition against all odds. The stories of Carruthers, his friends and enemies, and the club where he became infamous are brought to vivid life by a cast of skilled Seattle actors and musicians in improvised interviews, and“dramatized” in stop-motion animation of characters created by Eric“Two Scoops” Moore. The film also features an original score by local jazz musicians Birch Pereira and Tim Kennedy. The premiere of this truly special film is Friday, September 10 at 7 and 9:30pm at the Fremont Abbey, 4272 Fremont Ave N. Live music between the two screenings!

22, 24-26 Hot Club of Detroit
Hailing from the great mitten of America, Hot Club of Detroit does not limit itself to the influence of the Quintette du Hot Club de France. Capable though the band is at dazzling with blistering fretwork and an acute knowledge of gypsy jazz history, they are simply not interested replicating the same approach to Reinhardt's music that has become the standard for Hot Clubs across the U.S. “Django Reinhardt is the showerhead from which we all come down,” says guitarist and bandleader Evan Perri. “But if he had lived, I don't think he would've been playing the same things he had in prior years. He was constantly evolving as a jazz musician.” Rhythm guitarist Paul Brady expands, “Django Reinhardt was a jazz improviser like Coleman Hawkins or Lester Young or any of the other great improvisers of his time. We don't approach our music as a gypsy jazz band, but 100% as a jazz group.” The result is a superb quintet of Perri, Brady, bass phenom Andrew Kratzat, saxophonist Carl Cafagna, and accordionist Julien Labro that take on not only Reinhardt (and some of his forgotten treasures), but Coltrane, Pat Martino, and as the title of their new album It's About That Time would suggest, Joe Zawinul. The band raises serious questions about genre, history, and oevre and do so in a musically thrilling and accessible context. Fans of Django and modern jazz alike would be remiss to sit this one out. Hot Club of Detroit plays first on Wednesday, September 22 at JazzBones Tacoma (2803 6th Ave, time TBA), followed by a performance on Friday, September 24 at the Upstage in Port Townsend at 8pm (923 Washington St). Then, the quintet travels to Whidbey Island Center where they play DjangoFest Northwest (djangofest.com). Visit hotclubofdetroit.com for more information.