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Jazz Articles about Greta Matassa
20 Seattle Jazz Musicians You Should Know: Greta Matassa
by Paul Rauch
The city of Seattle has a jazz history that dates back to the very beginnings of the form. It was home to the first integrated club scene in America on Jackson St in the 1920's and 30's. It saw a young Ray Charles arrive as a teenager to escape the nightmare of Jim Crow in the south. It has produced such historical jazz icons as Quincy Jones and Ernestine Anderson. In many instances it has acted as a temporary repose ...
read moreHow Sweet it Is
by H William Stine
Sweet. It's a word you don't hear much, especially now. Home Sweet Home? After four months of sheltering in place, what's so sweet about being home? Sweet Dreams? It's been months since I had one. Sweet Spot? I know what it used to mean, but now it means keeping six feet away from people. Sweet Nothings? That's still how most people describe the long, rambling opens to my shows (just like this). So, I thought it was time to give ...
read moreGreta Matassa: Portrait
by Paul Rauch
Greta Matassa has made choices in her career that have sacrificed some visibility in exchange for lifestyle. Yet the Seattle based vocal artist has established herself firmly as one of America's finest singers, and one of the best that jazz has to offer in the new century. To this point, the jazz public at large had not heard from Matassa in 11 years, since her last solo Origin release, The Smiling Hour (Origin, 2008). With Portrait (Origin, 2019), ...
read moreGreta Matassa: Live at Tula's
by Michael P. Gladstone
Greta Matassa is a Seattle-based jazz singer who evidently has a strong following and some valid credentials from the prestigious Earshot Magazine. This publication named Matassa as Best Female Jazz Vocalist for multiple years in the Pacific Northwest area. This album, recorded live at Tula's, the popular downtown Seattle jazz club, offers thirteen standards backed by her trio.The session begins promisingly with Save Your Love From Me" from the Buddy Johnson songbook (but more popularized by the Cannonball ...
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