Articles

20 Seattle Jazz Musicians You Should Know: Chuck Deardorf

by Paul Rauch
June 8, 2020

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 '30s. 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 ...

Bill Frisell, Tom Harrell, Wadada Leo Smith and Other Great New Releases

by Bob Osborne
April 25, 2019

A show packed with new music featuring new releases from Chuck Deardorf, Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan, Matt Brewer, Josh Lawrence, Tom Harrell, and Wadada Leo Smith. Playlist Chuck Deardorf “Lullaby" from Perception (Origin Records) 00:00 Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan “You Only Live Twice" from Epistrophy (ECM) 07:23 Josh Lawrence “We're Happiest Together" from Triptych (Posi-tone) 16:23 Matt Brewer, Damion Reid, Mark Shim “Ganymede" from Ganymede (Criss Cross Jazz) 20:56 Tom Harrell “The Fast" from Infinity ...

Chuck Deardorf: Perception

by Paul Rauch
February 20, 2019

Before the tech revolution that has ushered in an era of unprecedented growth and global recognition, the city of Seattle was a bit of an outpost in the world of jazz. Since the 1920s, the city has enjoyed a vibrant and innovative jazz scene, often resulting in local musicians backing major international touring artists. The emerald city has spawned such renowned jazz icons as Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Larry Coryell and Ernestine Anderson as well. In the 1970s ...

Chuck Deardorf: Hanging On To The Groove

by Paul Rauch
January 19, 2019

Bassist Chuck Deardorf has gained a reputation for virtuosity and professionalism over a career that has thus far spanned 40 years. He has been the first call bassist in Seattle for most of his career, playing with some of the most renowned musicians in the history of jazz. For many years, despite having a prolific local jazz scene, the now burgeoning city of Seattle was considered a remote outpost in the jazz world. Many touring musicians would arrive on the ...

Chuck Deardorf And Dave Peterson: Portal

by Mark Sabbatini
July 15, 2004

I suspect a number of Seattle jazz fans have waited a long time for this album.

Guitarist Dave Peterson and bassist Chuck Deardorf have spent 25 years teaching music, playing clubs and recording as sidemen with various artists. With that much experience it's probably safe to assume that 1) they know everything they need to when it comes to releasing a solid album of their own and 2) there isn't much chance they'll be perceived as the “next ...

Deardorf/Peterson Group featuring George Cables: Portal

by Dan McClenaghan
June 1, 2004

With an urbane, beautifully harmonic, clean-edged sound, Portal seems an updated brand of West Coast cool, by way of the Northwest (Seattle) this time around, like a mix of Chico Hamilton's chamber bands, the fluid guitar work of Wes Montgomery, and that dry, cool approach of Paul Desmond's sax work stirred up in one groove-oriented band. Dave Peterson's guitar combined with George Cables' piano kick the harmonic mix up a notch or three on a set that depends more on ...