Booker T. Jones photo by Gary Copeland
Various venues
May 27-31
Now in its eighth year, the Bellevue Jazz and Blues Festival brings national artists, local groups, and high school ensembles to venues throughout downtown Bellevue for a jam-packed five-day run of ticketed and free performances. A hearty mix of local talent comprises the lion’s share of the performances, including headline slots for Joe Doria’s McTuff ensemble (Wednesday) and Portland’s The Lloyd Jones Struggle (Thursday). National acts the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Booker T. Jones are featured on Friday and Saturday.
Hammond B3 player Booker T. Jones enjoys an outstanding reputation as a solo artist, session player, and producer. He led the Stax Records house band in the 1960s that helped define the sound of modern soul music. He’s worked as a player and producer with the likes of Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and Otis Redding, and composed hits including “Green Onions” and “Melting Pot.” His latest album, Sound the Alarm, finds Jones behind the B3 alongside some of the most prominent voices in contemporary R&B. It’s his latest in a string of collaborative projects that have garnered Jones much acclaim, including Grammy Awards in 2010 and 2012 for Best Pop Instrumental Album (with Drive-By Truckers and The Roots respectively). Jones performs at the Theatre at Meydenbauer Center on Saturday, May 30, at 7pm and 9:30pm.
Combining their appetite for adventure with a commitment to tradition, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band has been a distinctive musical voice for the past 38 years. Known for an eclectic approach music that they liken to a pot of gumbo, they draw on jazz, funk, R&B, hip hop, and Latin music, all filtered through the unique and unmistakable style of a New Orleans brass ensemble. Dirty Dozen Brass Band performs Friday, May 29, at the Theatre at Meydenbauer Center at 7pm and 9:30pm.
Though Lloyd Jones “may be the most invisible, best-kept roots/blues/Americana secret on the contemporary scene,” he has earned praises from the likes of Robert Cray and Delbert McClinton and accolades from Guitar Player and JazzTimes. Performing two sets at Bake’s Place on Thursday, May 28, the Lloyd Jones Struggle plays blues pure and simple, but with a fire and verve that leaves little doubt as to why the guitarist is so widely admired.
Local B3 master Joe Doria helps kick the festival off Wednesday, May 27, at Bake’s Place with McTuff, his trio with guitarist Andy Coe and drummer Tarik Abouzied. Described by The Stranger as “epic soul-jazz and funk-rock . . . that make old and young alike break out their most exhibitionist dance moves,” it’s hard to imagine a more fitting ensemble to get the festival off to a swinging start.
As impressive as the main acts are, it would be a mistake to give short shrift to the many fine warm-up acts. Among their ranks (in no particular order) are folk masters Ben Hunter and Joe Seamons (May 28, 8pm, at Bar Code), Grammy-nominated blues harmonica player and vocalist Mark Dufresne (May 29, 9pm, at Black Bottle Postern), Isabella Du Graf (May 30, 8pm, at Bar Code), and 2010 Earshot NW Jazz Vocalist of the Year Gail Pettis (May 29, 8pm, at Bar Code). Pop into El Gaucho Wednesday, Thursday, or Saturday between 6-10pm to hear nonagenarian pianist June Tonkin, who’s been the house talent there for more than 50 years.
Sunday, May 31, features a day-long run of local middle and high school jazz ensembles at the Bellevue Art Museum, and a final evening of performances that include Luke Doubravsky and a showcase concert with recent Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame inductee Greta Matassa and special guest Robert Vaughn.Full schedule and tickets available at bellevuedowntown.com.
