June 2001

Seatle Sound
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By Jason West

While Jazz Alley, Tula's and The New Orleans Creole Restaurant present jazz on a nightly basis, Seattle is the home to numerous lesser-known music venues that feature jazz a few nights a week. Clubs like The Sunset, The Rainbow, The Bait House and others offer local audiences new sounds and a delightful change of scenery. They also provide work for our town's many talented jazz musicians. To discover Where Jazz Lives in Seattle, check out the following list of recommended restaurants, pubs and nightspots.

The Sunset Tavern. A recent Monday night visit to the Sunset Tavern in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood revealed a room full of twenty-somethings grooving to the funky sounds of Joe Doria's B-3 organ and John Wicks' slap-happy drumming. This duo is known to invite some very special and eclectic musical guests, making The Sunset Seattle's official Monday night jazz spot. Max, the club's open-minded proprietor has booked some juicy Sunday night gigs as well, including appearances by Combustible Collective (June 10) and Combo Craig (June 24). Scarlet wallpaper, faux-Chinese décor and an all-seeing disco ball provide the Sunset with an ambiance conducive to those who prefer their music without pretension. (5433 Ballard Ave. NW / 784-4880)

The Rainbow. The Rainbow has gone through many transmutations over the years, from strip club to sports bar. Yet, this U-District hang has a long history of providing the hip and curious with great music. Jack DeJohnette once played there. So did Jimi Hendrix. Now the Rainbow is back in business as a music venue and its promoters have tapped into the jazz-rock-funk sound, often mixing DJs with screaming guitars and horns. There's a large, musician-friendly stage, a pool table and a funky, casual, anything goes atmosphere. This month's musical highlights at the Rainbow include: Crack Sabbath, June 12; Zony Mash, June 15-17; and Sex Mob, June 29. (722 NE 45th St. / 634-1761)

The Bait House. Despite its fishy name, this out of the way venue is one of the nicest places to just be in Seattle. Salt air, passing ships, beautiful sunsets and a pint of Ballard Bitter beer make the Bait House a haven for those fortunate enough to discover her. Although the jazz bands hired to play here on Friday and Saturday evenings from can be amateurish in quality, no one seems to mind. A homey atmosphere, including a funky, upright piano, pervades the family-run establishment. The Bait House offers outside and inside dining, while boaters can tie up tothe restaurant's private dock. Think of it as a slice of Venice in Seattle. And yes, they sell bait, too. (5517 Seaview Ave. / 297-9109)

Patti Summers Place. Vocalist Patti Summers has been operating her own club in the Pike Place Market for decades. Besides providing the feature entertainment, Summers also performs various and sundry duties as cook, host, bartender, waitress and dishwasher, when necessary. It's a lot of work for Summers and her multi-instrumentalist husband Gary Steele, but this jazz-loving couple continue to persevere. With a grand piano and a large stage, the club has presented great big band shows over the years, including the Jim Knapp Big Band, the Portage Bay Big Band, and, most recently, the Seattle Women's Jazz Orchestra. As a singer Summers has a fine voice, but is often too busy to show it off. For his part, Steele is an extraordinary tenor saxophonist and bassist. (94 Pike St. / 621-8555)

Avenue One. If you like fine dining, high-priced art and vocal jazz, in that order, then Avenue One is the place to go on a Tuesday night. The restaurant's owner, Arnie, has a thing for gourmet dishes and obscure masterworks that he displays throughout his establishment. Although live jazz is definitely not the first priority at this up-scale eatery, the musicians who play here are some of Seattle's best. Located on First Avenue (hence the name) near the Pike Place Market, Avenue One is worth checking out. This month's lineup includes performances by Urban Oasis on June 5; Woody Woodhouse, June 12; Edmonia Jarrett, June 19; and Lisa De Costa, June 26. (1921 First Ave. / 441-6139)

The Paragon. Located on the top of Queen Anne Hill, The Paragon is currently home to H. B. Radke and his Jet City Swingers. Every Thursday night the Sinatra-like Radke belts out the jazz standards for those who like their swing shaken, not stirred. H. B. and his band of merry makers are a laugh a minute, and it's reassuring to know that when he's not cracking jokes, Radke sings well. Be prepared for wacky, Vegas-style entertainment. (2125 Queen Anne Ave. N. / 283-4548)

The Trolleyman Pub. Attached to the Red Hook Brewery in Fremont, The Trolleyman features live jazz, folk and blues over the course of each month. This neighborhood venue possesses a distinctly Northwest vibe, offering comfortable surroundings that include a warm fireplace, a couple of large, soft couches, and, of course, a variety of fresh Red Hook ales. There's no shortage of friendly clientele at the Trolleyman, and it's no surprise that performing musicians are given the room's undivided attention. Good times abound at this pub in the center of the universe. This month's music schedule includes shows by Combo Craig, June 2; Pearl Django, June 7; and Freestyle Candela, June 22. (3400 Phinney Ave. N. / 634-4213)

Mona's. Proprietors Tito and Annette are proud to present live music at Mona's every Thursday and Saturday with an emphasis on Latin jazz and Caribbean sounds. Their club is separated into a dining area and bar where the musicians are showcased beside street-side, full-length windows. The bar has become a hang for fashionable thirty-somethings who tend to care less about the band, but there are ways to compensate for this distraction: early arrival will ensure a prime table next to the musicians. For modern jazz fans the highlight is local bassist Phil Sparks. Sparks is well known for sharing Mona's bandstand with a multitude of musical friends, a list that constitutes a virtual Who's Who of Seattle jazz. Off the beaten path, Mona's is situated close to Seattle's Green Lake neighborhood. Visitors should be sure to say hello to John the bartender; he's the one with the dreadlocks, mon. (6421 Latona Ave NE / ph. 206-526-1188)

Pampas Room. Who says you can't dance to jazz? People have been dancing to America's original popular music since it's origin, and at Pampas they're still dancing up a storm. But, be warned, this ain't no country barn dance: Pampas is all class. The wait staff dress in tuxedos, the desserts are flaming, and a royal red carpet beckons patrons into the club's smoky, underground confines. Here you'll find a killer jazz band, led by veteran pianist Billy Wallace, Floyd Standifer and the talented Miss B.B. White on vocals. This group plays every Friday and Saturday evening, and you never know who might show up. (Quincy Jones has been known to stop by when he's in town). In short, Pampas is a lot of fun if you like getting dressed up and bustin' a move. (2505 1st Ave / 206.728.1337)

Old Town Ale House. If it's Tuesday night, then the place to be is the Old Town Alehouse, where one can experience hip, modern, jazz performed in an intimate atmosphere. Situated close to the historic boat works in North Seattle's Ballard neighborhood, this eatery and music venue has for the past seven years featured one of Seattle's most appreciated jazz drummers, John Bishop. Every Tuesday Bishop lugs his drums across Ballard Avenue to play with his musician buddies, many of whom have appeared on his Origin Records label. Offering great music and great food, the Old Town attracts jazz lovers like black keys to a diminished scale. (5233 Ballard Ave NW / ph. 206.782.8323)