11 Art of Jazz: Dawn Clement Trio
As Julian Priester has noted: “In all this world of jazz, there are very few individual voices, no matter what the instrument. But Dawn Clement has come up with a voice that's unique. One can't say that she sounds like Bud Powell or Oscar Peterson or the Herbie Hancocks or Chick Coreas or Keith Jarretts of the world. Dawn Clement's music is uniquely heard. And that's the thing that grabbed my attention.” Hailing from Seattle, WA, pianist Dawn Clement attended and now serves as faculty at the Cornish College of the Arts. Collaborating regularly with Jane Ira Bloom, the Seattle Pianist Collective, and Julian Priester, and having released four acclaimed albums under her own name, Clement has established herself as a true Seattle treasure. Now in its 15th year, the Art of Jazz Series at the Seattle Art Museum Downtown features performances the on the second Thursday of every month at 5:30pm. Free with museum admission!

18 Speak CD Release
Speak will release their much anticipated debut album at a special Chapel Performance Space release party on February 18 at 8pm. The great Seattle quintet consists trumpeter Cuong Vu, saxophonist Andrew Swanson, keyboardist Aaron Otheim, drummer Chris Icasiano, and bassist Luke Bergman. Adventurous, witty, energetic, and LOUD, Speak is a true ensemble that is set to command our attention in 2010 and beyond. Featuring complex, winding compositions and some of the finest young improvisers on the scene, Speak incorporates a variety of influences while crafting an unmistakably original sound. And as ever, the Chapel Performance Space at the Good Shepherd Center in Wallingford is among the most graceful and open venues for music such as this. Don't miss it.

19 Jazz Impressions of Ennio Morricone
J&J Music, Seattle Jazz Composers Ensemble, and University Prep present Jazz Impressions of Ennio Morricone, a special one-time performance by the Seattle Jazz Composers Ensemble (SJCE). For the program, SCJE commissioned Seattle composers and arrangers to create 4 new original works and new arrangements of Morricone classics, including music from the films The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, A Fistful of Dollars, Il Mercenario, The Mission, Cinema Paradiso, and Inglourious Basterds. Featured composers include Jim Knodle, Michael Owcharuk, Nate Omdal, Samantha Boshnack, Josh Rawlings, and Ethan Thomas. The music is to be performed by a 17 piece band featuring many of Seattle's top musicians, including Cynthia Mullis, Beth Fleenor, Jim Knodle, Jason Parker, Samantha Boshnack, Nelson Bell, Michael Owcharuk, Nate Omdal, Cody Rahn, Scott Morning, Aaron Jenkins, Brian Bermudez, Mike Dodge, Elijah Clark, Elsa Nilsson, Ron Gilchrist, and Greg Belisle-Chi. Jazz Impressions of Ennio Morricone takes place Friday, February 19th, 2010 at 7pm at University Prep Founder’s Hall, 8000 25th Avenue NE Seattle, WA 98115. Discounts available for students and seniors.

20 Mauger Trio w/ Rudresh Mahanthappa, Gerry Hemin
Darn near missed this one! Just announced before our print deadline (thanks Twitter), Rudresh Mahanthappa, Gerry Hemingway, and Mark Dresser perform as the Mauger Trio at Seasons Performance Hall (101 N Naches Ave) in Yakima on February 20 at 7:30pm. Mahanthappa is an Earshot Jazz favorite, most recently performing alongside Amir ElSaffar at the Triple Door, and has emerged as one of the most compelling alto saxophonists in recent memory. Hemingway and Dresser, simply, are two of the very finest inside/outside NY improvisers. A formidable duo in any context, with Mahanthappa you can expect an unforgettable evening of music. For more information on the Mauger Trio or the beautiful Seasons Performance Hall calendar, please visit theseasonsyakima.com.