By Jason West
The Experience Music Project museum kicked off their Jazz in
January public programming on January 13 with the treasured sounds of
singerErnestine Anderson. The 72-year-old vocalist sang with
feeling, power and delicacy throughout her hour-long set, proving her
instrument remains in great shape. Ms. Anderson's choice of notes was
provocative; she exhibited a clear tone and admirable range that, at
times, bottomed out in the lower octaves. However, this raspiness lends
itself to the rip-it-up R&B vocals that so readily moves American
audiences on a purely soulful level. The result was preponderance of
2-and-4-rhythm-clapping and unison chanting from the standing-room-only
audience that packed EMP's Sky Church.
Dressed to kill in a black leather pants suit, blinding red top and
matching red fedora, Ms. Anderson was accompanied by a quartet of female
backup vocalists, horns, electric bass, guitar, drums and piano. She
performed a variety of jazz, pop and R&B songs, including the title cut
from her 1980 release Never Make Your Move To Soon. The ballad
I'll Be Seeing You," dedicated to the artist's sister, provided the
evening's most touching moment as a teary-eyed Ms. Anderson pointed
skyward while whispering the song's final notes. Jazz purists may have
been a bit peeved at the mostly non-jazz setlist, but hey, there's always
Coltrane waiting when your ears get home. Purist or no, Ms. Anderson's
music is for your soul.
Vocalist, Nancy King opened for Ernestine. This fine, Portland
musician sang mostly ballads, revealing some highly creative takes on
jazz
standards. "Like Someone In Love" was revamped as a patchwork of
intriguing intervallic leaps. "Hotel Mysterioso" artfully sandwiched the
intro and exit of Monk's melody around the blues body of "Heartbreak
Hotel." In all, Ms. King sang well and was impressive as a scat soloist,
but her set lacked the rhythmic drive which a bass player or drummer
could
have provided.
Upcoming jazz shows at EMP include the big band sounds of the Seattle
Repertory Jazz Orchestra (Jan 20); and guitar master Bill
Frisell with drummer Kenny Wollesen and bassist Tony
Scherr (Jan 27). EMP is also offering a variety of jazz workshops,
lecture discussions, and family-oriented brunches in January. Check
EMP's
website (www.emplive.com) for a complete list of
dates and times.
All actors want to be Cary Grant. All basketball players want to
be Michael Jordan. All Seattle jazz journalists want to be Jim
Wilke. I want to be Jim Wilke!
Since the 1960s this omnibus of jazz has been broadcasting the local and
national jazz over the airwaves. He's taped hundreds of live concerts in
town, knows a slew of musicians and can be heard on over 70 National
Public Radio stations in the US and Canada which carry Jazz After
Hours. In addition, his weekly hour-long radio show, Jazz
Northwest, showcases the latest local releases, providing a voice for
Northwest artists whose work might otherwise go unnoticed in the media.
Appearing on 88.5 FM KPLU, the Seattle NPR affiliate, it airs every
Sunday
afternoon from 2 to 3 o'clock and is always worth a listen if you're in
Seattle.
In January, Wilke released his Best of the Northwest 2000 list of
top regional CDs. Included are the Dave Peck Trio 3 and 1
Origin), saxophonist Steve Griggs Live! (Hip City),
drummer
Steve Korn Pride and Joy (Origin) and pianist Marius
Nordal Ways of the Hand (Origin). In all, Wilke names 18 out
of 50 new releases. This is almost double the number of CDs honored in
his Best of the Northwest listed for 1999, and is a good indication of
the
healthy state of regional jazz.
For more information on Jim Wilke and Jazz After Hours, check his
website at www.kuow.org/jazz.
Upcoming jazz shows:
Dimitriou's Jazz Alley has long been Seattle's premier club for
touring national jazz groups. Musical legends the likes of Ray Brown,
McCoy Tyner and Taj Mahal are annual visitors to the Alley.
Appearing
there this month are Nancy Wilson (Jan 16 - 21), Maynard
Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band (Jan 24 - 28), and Sypro
Gyra (Jan 30 - Feb 4). Check www.jazzalley.org
for more info.
Tula's restaurant and jazz club is where the local cats hang out.
The club offers straight ahead jazz 7 nights a week. Tula's proprietor,
b>Mack Waldron, is a former Navy band leader who runs a pretty hip
ship, highlighted by an instrumental jam session every Sunday night and a
vocal jam the first and third Monday of each month. This month's lineup
features trumpeter Jay Thomas (Jan 19), drummer Steve Korn
and his quartet (Jan 24), and the Jim Knapp Orchestra (Jan 30).
One of Sea-town's young lions, Korn is steadily building his reputation
as
a time-keeper, subtle soloist and credible composer on the strength of
his
second CD Pride and Joy. In contrast, Thomas and Knapp are
seasoned professionals at the peak of their musical ability. Both men
are
fountains of local jazz inspiration who have encouraged numerous younger
players the likes of Korn. Knapp, in particular, has influenced many
local musicians with his first class composing and arranging. His
scoring
for orchestra is melodic, spirited and full of new sounds that combine
the
delicacy of Gil Evans with the energy of Mel Lewis and Thad
Jones. It's no wonder that many of Seattle's best jazz players have
performed in various Knapp-lead groups. Well worth the $7 admission
price. Check www.tulas.com for more info.
