Earshot Jazz Festival

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23 TULA’S, 7:30PM
Wellstone Conspiracy CD ReleasE: MOTIVES
$12 general, $10 members/seniors, $6 studentsCall 206-443-4221 for reservations.

The superb quartet of Idaho saxophonist Brent Jensen and Seattle-based all-stars pianist Bill Anschell, bassist Jeff Johnson, and drummer John Bishop celebrate their latest Origin Records release, Motives tonight. Already garnering stellar reviews, the disc is proof of “how many great jazz musicians there are throughout the United States,” according to Jazz Review. Jazz Chicago calls it a “true gem of a recording. This album entrances immediately from the start—beginning with Jensen’s tribute to free jazz pioneer and Ornette Coleman drummer Ed Blackwell...”

While the musicians on the stage tonight are well-known to many in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, it is worth mentioning some of their credentials. Jensen currently serves Director of Jazz Studies at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls and has performed with a variety of jazz artists, including Gene Harris, Bill Watrous, Lew Soloff, John Stowell, the Manhattan Transfer and the Lionel Hampton Big Band. Pianist Anschell performs regularly with many of Seattle’s finest musicians and has also worked with Nnenna Freelon, Ron Carter, Benny Golson and Russell Malone.

In a career that has spanned more than three decades, bassist Johnson has had opportunities to with a veritable who’s who of the jazz world, including Philly Joe Jones, Hal Galper, Bud Shank, Chet Baker, Lee Konitz and Sunny Murray. Currently, and for the last 20 years, he has performed regularly in a trio with Seattle pianist Jon Alberts and drummer Tad Britton, and he often appears with pianist Jessica Williams. Drummer Bishop has appeared on over 80 albums and worked with artists like Bobby McFerrin, Konitz, Slide Hampton, Golson, George Cables, Kenny Werner, Sonny Fortune, Bobby Hutcherson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Tom Harrell and Steve Swallow, among many others.

Tonight’s performance will likely feature an impressive collection of adventurous orignal works and melodic tunes inspired by the modern harmonies of Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter.

-Danielle Bias

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