Gary Bartz photo by Daniel Sheehan
April 17-20
Various venues, Ballard
April is a particularly good month for jazz in Seattle. For one, the time draws near for Ballard’s own 11th annual jazz festival. Always short and sweet, this year once again offers up a concentration of the jazz pulse found in the Scandinavian corner of the Emerald City.
With four days of music to commence on April 17, the festival sees 15 participating venues, including the Nordic Heritage Museum, an unwavering supporter since day one. Always growing in attendance, the festival is further blossoming into one of the Northwest’s most exciting cultural events and local economic stimulators.
Aside from headliners Gary Bartz, Lew Soloff, George Colligan and Vinny Golia, one of the most exciting aspects of this festival is the impromptu first two evenings at Conor Byrne. There, Brotherhood of the Drum features four groups led by drummers Sylvia Cuenca, Matt Jorgensen, Sean Lane (solo) and Chris Leighton, and the Guitar Summit showcases the talent of New York’s Tom Guarna, Portland’s John Stowell, and Seattle’s Dave Peterson and Danny Godinez. These Wednesday and Thursday shows are 21 and over only, and the range of configurations and informal adult setting, if not the spontaneous stage dynamics, drive the vibe for each performance.
The festival’s third day serves up the Ballard experience, with exceptional dining and a seemingly endless stream of entertainment options. The Ballard Jazz Walk finds itself perfectly integrated into a Friday evening’s excursion. For $30, one can club-trot through a musical feast. Among the highlights: drummer Allison Miller, performing with keyboardist and fellow Ani DiFranco alumna Julie Wolf, bassist Rene Hart and trumpeter Cuong Vu.
Perhaps just as popular as any other festival activity is the traditional Swedish pancake brunch at the Nordic Heritage Museum on Saturday morning, coinciding with a classic car show hosted by Volvo/Saab Sports Club. This decadent spread will be greatly complemented by award-winning trombonist David Marriott’s big band Triskaidekaband and opener, the Cornish Contemporary Big Band, directed by Tom Varner.
The festival culminates with two historical figures performing on the Saturday evening mainstage – Gary Bartz and Lew Soloff. Showtime is 7:30pm, and there will be a pre-concert “Jazz Behind the Iron Curtain” art exhibition, by internationally acclaimed illustrator Rafal Oblinski, also to include a discussion by Jazz Forum editor-in-chief Pawel Brodowski.
Aside from his reputation as a Grammy Award-winning artist, having recorded and toured alongside legends Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Art Blakey, Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln, Gary Bartz is considered among the world’s foremost couriers in honoring the legacy and sound of John Coltrane. Much of this can be attributed to his 45-year association with McCoy Tyner, the fruit of which can be heard on such classic recordings as Expansions, Extensions (Blue Note) and Focal Point (Milestone). The unmistakable voice of Bartz combined with George Colligan’s commanding pianistic propulsion is assuredly not-to-miss. On this occasion, Colligan’s trio is Phil Sparks on bass and drummer Matt Jorgensen.
Lew Soloff’s career extends almost five decades, laden with collaborations involving masters from virtually every plateau of the music industry. Since the days with Blood, Sweat & Tears and the signature brass stamp known as “Spinning Wheel,” his trumpet became a household name in the studio arena, having appeared on hundreds of recordings, with George Benson, Stanley Clarke, Miles Davis, Tony Bennett, James Brown, Elvis Costello and Barbara Streisand. The quartet tonight, with Milo Peterson on guitar, bassist Essiet Essiet and Sylvia Cuenca on drums, will undoubtedly do its part to put a shining cap on the festivities.
– Jonathan Sindelman
Ballard Jazz Festival Schedule
Wednesday, April 17, 8pm
Brotherhood of the Drum is 21 and over, at Conor Byrne Pub. Admission is $15 at the door.
Thursday, April 18, 8pm
Guitar Summit is 21 and over, at Conor Byrne Pub. Admission is $15 at the door.
Friday, April 19, 6:30pm
Ballard Jazz Walk is all ages, or 21 and over, at various venues in Ballard. Admission is $30 on day-of-show, at New York Fashion Academy, 5201 Ballard Ave NW.
Saturday, April 20, 11am & 12:30pm
Swedish Pancake Jazz Brunch & Classic Volvo/Saab Car Show, two seatings available, is an all-ages event, at the Nordic Heritage Museum. Admission for non-museum members is $15; members, $12; family of four package, $40.
Saturday, April 20, 7:30pm
Main-stage concert event is open to all ages, at the Nordic Heritage Museum. Admission is $35, general admission; $55, reserved; $18, student.
For more information and updates to the show schedule, visit ballardjazzfestival.com.
