By Jason West
On the east side of Second Avenue, between Blanchard and Bell St., there's
something for everyone. For the rockers there's The Crocodile; for the
mods
there's The Lava Lounge; for margaritas there's Mama's Mexican Kitchen; an
for the best local jazz six nights a week, there's Tula's.
With blinds drawn and only a modest blue neon sign over the entrance,
Tula's
can be easily missed, yet once you open her tinted glass doors and
step
inside-away from the noisy, mingling crowds on the strip-you'll feel as
if you've entered a hipper, classier world. Newcomers receive the
pleasurable shock of intimate light illuminating a warm, wooden interior.
Seated close to the bandstand, well-dressed patrons speak in hushed
tones,
respectful of the musicians on stage.
A few moments later and you're encouraged by Raymond, Tula's always
ebullient host, to relax and make yourself comfortable. If you are
hungry the entrees are tasty and reasonably priced (averaging around ten
dollars a plate). If you are thirsty you have your choice of 12 beers on
tap, fine wines and liquors. And if it's great jazz you're after,
then
just listen.
It should be immediately noted that the austere, rock-of-a-man behind the
sprawling, green bar is one Elliot Mack Waldron, Tula's owner and chief
bartender. A native Texan, Mack is a veteran jazzman with 26 years
experience in Navy bands as a player and bandleader. In the service he
was
considered a players' bandleader. Today he's considered a players' club
owner.
How do you become a millionaire running a jazz club? Start with two.
That humor isn't lost on Mack, who could have retired to "planting
flowers
or things of that nature" rather than take the gamble of opening
Tula's.
Actually, there was little hesitation. After serving in the Navy, Mack
resolved to continue his affair with jazz. "I love the music," he
says.
"It's very exciting to participate and I feel like I'm contributing
something to further young musicians in the Seattle area." Unlike most
club
owners, who aren't music savvy, Mack knows his jazz. He books the bands,
treats musicians well, pays a decent wage, and therefore ensures that
Seattle's fine crop of jazz talent keep coming back to play.
The club's honor role of local jazz luminaries includes guitarist, Milo
Peterson; pianist, John Hansen; reedman, Don Lanphere; trumpeter and
bandleader, Jim Knapp; trumpeter/saxophonist Jay Thomas (whose most
recent
CD is entitled "Live at Tula's"); and vocalists Greta Matassa and Jay
Clayton.
Quite often, up and coming jazz heavies-not quite big enough to play Jazz
Alley-will gig a few nights at Tula's, accompanied by our local players.
In July, Bobby Porcelli and Ray Vega, both members of Tito Puente's
band, performed with the New Stories trio. On August 29th, New
York's
Bob Moses and Charles Pillow shared the stage with Jim Knapp and Pax
Wallace.
One of the club's biggest advocates is bassist Chuck Bergeron, for years
a
NY musician, who now makes his home here. This year Chuck has made a point
of
bringing top talent to Seattle, with Mack providing the ideal venue. Tula's
playlist so far includes Bergeron compatriots, Dave Pietro, Charles Pillow,
and John Fedchock. John Hart will be here in early November.
Certainly, it is rare that a club owner is so well respected by the
musicians
he hires. In response Mack says, "We have a mutual admiration. I admire
them
for their musicianship, and I think they do appreciate me for providing a
venue for them to perform." Admiration's warm glow is contagious and can be
easily found among Tula's clientele: ladies and gentlemen who enjoy being
part of something special, refined and classy. From snuggling, romantic
couples, to large-partied celebrants, to highschool musicians intent on
listening to Seattle's best-jazz at Tula's attracts all kinds of
discriminating, intelligent ears. And the word is starting to spread. Like
Mack says, "Good people tend to invite other good people, and good players
tend to invite other great jazz players."
Here's a list of Tula's November jazz highlights:
- 11/3, Chuck Bergeron Trio featuring John Hart
- 11/5,6 Patricia Barber as part the the Earshot Jazz Festival
- 11/7 John Hansen Trio featuring Jeff Hay and Gary Shutes
- 11/11 Jay Clayton
- 11/13 Jay Thomas Quartet
- 11/20 Don Lanphere
- 11/21 Pax Wallace Trio
- 11/24 JimKnapp Orchestra
- 11/27 Greta Matassa
- 11/30 Patti Summers
