Archive of posts with category 'Live Review'

Trio 200, Beaver Sessions (RIP) October 16 2023

Well, RIP to the Beaver sessions. Bummed to see it go, Sunday night jazz in the hockey bar. A nine year run, started and hosted by the awesome Max Holmberg....

Greg Howe With Sammy Boller At The Triple Door July 26 2023

Seattle fans were in attendance to worship at the church of virtuosic shred. Big sound from all three, guitarist Greg Howe, bassist Stu Hamm (Steve Vai, Joe Satriani) and drummer...

Bill Frisell Four, Ambrose Akinmusire At The Moore February 17, 2023

Opening set was Ambrose Akinmusire with Sam Harris, Linda Oh, Tim Angulo.

Dylan Hayes Organ Trio at the Beaver Sessions February 5, 2023

Dylan Hayes Organ Trio (feat. Martin Budde & Xavier Lecouturier) soundin real good at The Beaver Sessions. First tune by Hayes, dedicated to Stevie Wonder, super cool head and funky,...

The Mommyheads & Goldenboy at The Rendezvous October 19, 2022

The Mommyheads first record, Acorn, came out in 1989 and reconfigured the world slightly. And The Mommyheads are back on tour with a new record. Dope! Been a fan a...

Kurt Rosenwinkel at The Triple Door October 12, 2022

October in Seattle? Must be time for jazz, Ear Shot that is, the noodliest, best you can get.

Due North & Rader Creek Bluegrass at Drumlin May 14, 2022

Drumlin now has live music, both inside and out, up in Shoreline. Great spot! On Saturday, caught the last set of Due North, a jazz quartet with trumpet, piano, stand...

Monday Jam Session At The Royal Room March 7, 2022

Hit the reincarnated Monday jam session at the Royal Room hosted by Thomas Marriott. Full house at the club and the players were on the main stage, unlike the old...

Jazz Abbey With Al Keith At Egans November 16, 2019

Fun show at Egan's with Jazz Abbey. Tight heads, cool set list. Tunes like Joe Sample's "Mystery Child", "Small Fortune" by Ray Obiedo, "Alan Weight Speaking" by Jim Culter, and...

Marc Seales At Tulas September 27, 2019

Caught Marc Seales at Tula's closing weekend, loss of an institution with the demise of Tula's. Seales was great as usual, flipping between electric piano and the grand piano on...

Miles Okazaki At The Royal Room April 13, 2019

Stoked to have Miles Okazaki play in Seattle. Amazing composer and monster shredder with psycho technique. Moments were Frippian, Crimsonian, but even farther out. Crazy time signatures, crazy lines that...

Neko Case At The Paramount November 29, 2018

Sold out show, played for two hours, with four encores. Rachel Flotard from Visqueen on backing vocals. They did 10 of the 12 tracks from the new album Hell On,...

Christian McBride at Jazz Alley October 19, 2017

Stellar show to a packed, appreciative house, celebrating Ray Brown. Lots of tunes, lots of stories as each player had a go with the mic to tell stories about Brown...

Mostly Others Do the Killing at Barboza October 13, 2017

Cool set, all town names from Pennsylvania. Bass led,  held it down so that the other players could go where they sought. Really innovative bass solo near the end. Drummer...

Craig Taborn Quartet at PONCHO Concert Hall February 24, 2017

Full house at the show, packed, both upstairs and down. But when you are on the cover of Downbeat and playing the Village Vanguard for a week straight upcoming, like...

John Scofield At Jazz Alley February 21, 2017

Played all country, signature Scofield style. Such a distinct voice. Nobody sounds like him. The way he plays a head, his attack, his articulation. And so many ideas. Was playing...

Ben Wendel Group At PONCHO Concert Hall September 27, 2016

Awesome show, full house, standing ovation at the end. Chemistry was there between the players and the pieces flowed. Pulse always there, music flowing around it. Loved the drummer, Henry...

Chris Burchett Band At G. Donnalson’s September 16, 2016

The classic trio set up with organ, guitar and drums sounding so right. Organ old school from the 60s, defining warm. Not sure the names of the other players; they...

The Angry Beaver Sessions With Kamasi Washington September 4, 2016

It was the usual cast of characters last night at the Angry Beaver – the Seattle jazz scene -- with one notable exception: Kamasi Washington was in the house.  In...

FIELD MUSIC, Hazel English, Nolan Garrett at The Crocodile Cafe March 29 2016

Never thought Field Music would come to Seattle, but they did and a crowd of devoted fans were on hand. So good live. Wasn’t sure how their sound would translate...

Mark Elf At Boxleys February 6 2016

Caught Mark Elf at Boxleys. He was backed by the house band. Did some originals and some standards, including “Caravan” by Ellington. Did this cool harmonic number where he played...

Hugh Masekela at The Triple Door November 17 2015

Hugh Masekela consummate entertainer, half the show anecdotes, the other half tunes. His tone is so gorgeous. Just piano and trumpet, plus his singing and cowbell playing too. Set list...

Ed Reed & Anton Schwartz play Hartman and Coltrane at Tula’s November 6 2015

Love shows like this: where amazing players unite for a unique moment, a configuration never been heard before and perhaps never will again.   Ed Reed was awesome, had a Bay...

Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea at The Paramount March 15, 2015

Living legends doing what they do to a packed audience. Was thinking 70 is the new 40 as these guys put on a show of melodic virtuosity. Their collaboration defies...

Marc Seales Trio At Tulas December 6 2014

Great show. Seales accompanied by guys that he’s been playing with for years: Chuck Dearborn on bass, Mark Eisler on drums. Caught the first two sets, missed the last one....

Industrial Revelation, Poor Rende Vu at EMP November 2 2014

Packed show at the Sci-Fi museum theater. Opening trio of professor jazz masters great to see.  The three building these emotive soundscapes, evocative and poignant. Vu’s got the coolest tone...

The Cantaloupes at The Ship Canal Grill July 24 2014

Cool set up on Wednesday nights at The Ship Canal (good fish tacos btw) playing straight ahead bop.  First set was The Cantaloupes although Jay Thomas was off at Port...

Robyn Hitchcock At Columbia City Theater June 23 2014

No column inches for Robyn in The Stranger or The Seattle Weekly, but he didn’t need it as the theater was packed with a big crowd, all of them over...

Bobby Bare Jr., Guided By Voices At The Showbox Sunday June 8 2014

Everything you’d expect from a GBV show: cooler of beer on stage, Pollard doing high kicks, Pollard ranting between songs, guitarist & bassist chain smoking through entire show, long set,...

Crack Sabbath At Darrell’s Tavern May 9 2014

Had always seen the name but never seen the act, so busted up to the “North Country” in Shoreline for Crack Sabbath. Great show. Loud. Skerik shredded on the sax...

D’Vonne Lewis Trio At Tulas February 10 2014

Great show with organ, guitar and drums, no bass. D’Vonne Lewis amazing, playing around and against the beat, adding so much texture while others soloed. The organ, played by Delvan...

Crooks On Tape, Half Kingdom at The Crocodile Café January 21 2014

Was a big Enon fan back in the day, so had to go check out John Schmersal’s latest incarnation at the Croc.  Very Enon-like really, although even less of a...

Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band at Jazz Alley December 28 2013

Fun show to a full house. He’s been coming to Jazz Alley since 1975. Damn. Perennial favorite indeed. Lots of great players in the current configuration of 8 guys on...

Mike Stern Band feat. Randy Brecker, Anthony Jackson, and Keith Carlock at Jazz Alley December 10 2013

They play @jazz_alley every year. Lucky Seattle. Rightfully dubbed all stars. Consider the folks they’ve collectively played with: Blood, Sweat and Tears, Miles Davis, Jaco Pastorius, Billy Cobham, James Taylor,...

Hardcoretet Residency at Seamonster Lounge

Stoked that Hardcoretet has a three show residency at the Seamonster – familiar spot for drummer Tarik Abouzied, whose there every Tuesday with McTuff. They are playing this coming Sunday,...

Greg Nagy at Blues and Biscuits December 6 2013

Ended up at Blues and Biscuits in San Francisco, cool spot right in the heart of SF tourist land. Stage is down in the basement, circular tables, candles, low ceiling....

Steve Smith and Vital Information At Jazz Alley November 5 2013

Was billed as one of the greatest drummers and didn’t disappoint: school was in session fer sure. Really a monster player. Crazy kit, including two snare drums, a synth pad,...

Moon Hooch, M. Doughty at The Neptune November 2 2013

Moon Hooch is #acousticEDM. Lotza energy, lotza fun.  Two saxophones holding it down. Novel sound, fresh, not like anything you’ve quite heard.  Drums big, almost always with that signature EDM...

Singer-Songwriter Showcase Featuring - Annie Ford, MoZo and Strange Jerome at The Triple Door October 23 2013

The Triple Door Musicquarium always good for a chill time on a Tuesday evening. They’ve got a tasty specialty beer on tap (the dark ale) and a fine limited wine...

Steve Lehman Trio at The Royal Room October 18 2013

Steve Lehman Trio lived up to expectation as “affirmed in the jazz vanguard” -- shit they killed it to a packed house standing room only at The Royal Room.  It...

Chris Speed, Dave King & Chris Tordini Trio / Bad Luck at Poncho Concert Hall October 13 2013

That time of year again when ear bending music gets played as part of the Earshot Festival. Bye bye 4/4; adios major pentatonic; goodnight minor pentatonic; we bid you adieu...

Pat Martino Trio plus Special Guest James Carter at Jazz Alley October 11 2013

Caught the second set on Friday night, pretty sparse crowd, but enough there to make it feel intimate.  Set was straight up bebop, head, solos, trading eights, head.  Drummer swung...

Gravity at The Owl & Thistle September 10 2013

Ended up at the Owl & Thistle and ate Guinness beef stew. Caught Gravity who played a killer set on a Tuesday night. Great sound, great vibe. All originals except...

Roscoe Mitchell's Nonaah Sneak Preview, Tarmac Adam at The Royal Room May 28 2013

Random night at the Royal Room (which is what makes that place great: a rad venue where worthy folks can get a gig). First up, speaking of worthy, the most...

Michael Nesmith at The Neptune March 30 2013

Wasn’t sure what to expect with this gig. Thought it was gonna sound like Flying Burrito Bros/Gram Parsons/late Byrds but sounded more like 1985. So 30 years old instead of...

The James Band at Vito’s March 2 2013

After going classical at Town Hall with the Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra who performed Second Essay for Orchestra, Op. 17 (1942) by Samuel Barber, The Garden of Fand (1913) by...

Marc Seales Quintet at Tulas March 1 2013

Professorial night at Tulas with UW maestros Marc Seales (piano), Bill Smith (clarinet), Tom Collier (vibes). Didn’t catch the the drummer’s and bassist’s names—think one of them was faculty too....

Dave Peck Trio At Tula’s February 15 2013

Caught the last set of Dave Peck Dave Peck Trio with Chuck Deardorf on bass and Eric Eagle on drums.  So tasteful, super melodic playing on the keys, straight up...

Dr. John at Jazz Alley January 31 2013

Dr. John did his Dr. John thing last night to a packed house at Jazz Alley. Not sure if he’s sold out for the weekend or not; if it isn’t,...

McTuff Trio at Sea Monster Lounge Tuesday December 4 2012

Gold standard on a Tuesday, can’t go wrong with McTuff.  Started with an xmas carol, Good King Wenceslas God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. At some point the guitarist Andy Coe...

Garfunkel and Oates, Primo Kim at Snoqualmie Casino November 24 2012

Got hip to Garfunkel and Oates 3 years ago (here’s the proof). Saw that they were playing at the Snoqualmie Casino (!) and figured it’d be worth the trip.  It...

Matthew Shipp Trio, Trio X at The Seattle Art Museum October 14 2012

October = Earshot Jazz Festival = mind altering jazz in unlikely venues.  From NYC, two trios who lived up to their reputations at SAM. First Trio X (reedman Joe McPhee,...

Bettye Lavette at Jazz Alley April 24, 2012

Bettye Lavette mesmerizing last night, living up to her billing as “emotionally charged soul maven.”  At 66, she commanded the stage with such warmth, wit and verve, not to mention...

Thomas Marriott at Tula's Friday April 13 2012

Caught Thomas Marriott at Tula's. Exquisite set with top notch players. Marc Searles on the keys was golden. Had a killer sound with delay and sustain, provided this deep layer...

Kelly Hogan at The Triple Door April 2, 2012

Kelly Hogan fantastic at The Triple Door. Something so likeable about Hogan, find yrself rootin for her.  She’s got this endearing combo of sweet and sassy. Her new record (out...

Kathryn Calder at The Mix November 12 2011

Caught Kathryn Calder at The Mix in Georgetown on the last stop of her tour.  Hearing these songs live, you are reminded how catchy her songs are. She write pop...

Matt Slocum Trio at Tula’s October 19 2011

Another Earshot Jazz Festival 2011 mind melter and they’re playin again tonight.  Matt Slocum Trio is Slocum on drums, Danny Grissett on piano and Darek Oles on bass. Once again,...

Endangered Blood at Town Hall October 14, 2011

Well, it’s that time of year again in which mind blowing musical experiences await you in abundance: yes, Earshot Jazz Festival kicked off.  Caught the opening night performance by Endangered...

James Farm at Jazz Alley September 28 2011

Go see James Farm tonight/tomrrow ‘cause they were off the hook last night, just like last year: super hero players, rock star musicians, jazz virtuosos tearin it up.  Good sized...

Hidden Number, Smooth Sailing, Ocelot Omelet and Kled at The Comet Tavern May 5 2011

Raucous night at The Comet (as are most nights at The Comet) starting with Kled – http://reverbnation.com/kled, but only caught the last song and a half, which involved chanting USA,...

Spectrum Road at Jazz Alley February 7 2011

Super group of players at Jazz Alley right now in a rare configuration that may not be seen again. Known as Spectrum Road, Jack Bruce, John Medeski, Vernon Reid and...

Badly Drawn Boy at The Triple Door December 13 2010

Did bear witness to Badly Drawn Boy. The squib on the bill at The Triple Door dubbed him a “narcoleptic slacker.”  He exceeded expectations.  Don’t know if he was having...

Pearl Django with Martin Taylor at Jazz Alley December 4 2010

Pearl Django with Martin Taylor was a sound feast. Their two hour set was at once captivating and entertaining, laid back yet complex and nuanced, with lots of interaction between...

Parson Red Heads at The High Dive November 15 2010

Caught The Parson Red Heads again last night at The High Dive. Much smaller crowd on hand then at the sold out Head and Heart show a couple weeks ago....

Eux Autres at The Sunset November 11 2010

Eux Autres from San Francisco was at The Sunset. They are indierock-arific. Here's some pics by Adam Forslund from the show:              

Mishka at The Showbox Sodo November 4 2010

  Mishka was in town last week. Here's some pics by Adam Forslund:              

Parson Red Heads, Avi Buffalo and The Head and The Heart at Neumos November 2 2010

It was the night of 3 part harmony at Neumos -- both The Parson Red Heads and The Head and The Heart belting out big vocal prettiness that filled the...

Ask The Ages at Cafe Racer October 29, 2010

Caught most of Ask The Ages set at Cafe Racer.  Great players.  Interesting to see the instruments enhanced by effects: both trumpet (Matt Reid) and vibes (Steven Bell) pumped the...

DJ Shadow at The Showbox October 26, 2010

Big crowd for DJ Shadow. In-your-face push of the DJ Shadow iPhone app before the show started. “Download me! Download me!” Like if you didn’t have the app you weren’t...

The Migrant at The High Dive October 23, 2010

The Migrant from Denmark was in town last week. Folky, moody, indie: made sense in the NW.  Maybe it's the weather. Here's some pics by Adam Forslund:      ...

Toshio Hirano at Amnesia (San Francisco) September 13, 2010

Was in SF and randomly ended up at Amnesia (how I got there I can't remember) with Toshio Hirano on stage plucking old time tunes like Hank Williams and Jimmie...

J. Roddy Walston and The Business at Chop Suey August 15, 2010

Caught J. Roddy Walston and The Business at Chop Suey last Monday. Long hairs from Baltimore. Piano sounding good, honky tonk. Definite Jerry Lee Lewis invocation (not imitation) -- don't...

Cataldo and Rebecca Gates at The Sunset Tavern June 15th, 2010

Walked in as Cataldo had just started their set.  Superb and solid song writing with a clear sense of melody. Songs were wistful but not cloying. Occasionally they started to...

Simon, Mood Organ, Matt Shoemaker, Dave Abramson, Wally Shoup at The Josephine June 3, 2010

Caught a cool show at The Josephine.  Place was almost completely dark as a cat and dog wandered through the space. I walked in on Wally Shoup/Dave Abramson -- Wally...

Trio M at Seattle Asian Art Museum October 20, 2009

Completely mind blowing.  Where is the beat? What is the beat?  Melody upon melody upon idea upon idea folding in and around with such complete and total command.  At the...

The Grates, Those Darlins at The Sunset October 16, 2009

The Grates were great -- ah gee that's a cop out of a line. Pop punk extraordinaire. Ribbon dance! Charisma! Aussie song banter! Professional!  Or not! Then Those Darlins.  "Take...

Tarbaby at Tula's October 18, 2009

Off the hook jazz. Drummer was amazing.  Jazz drummers are from another planet. Soulful compositions. 

Manos De Plata, Ghost Lobby and Half Light at the High Dive Oct 16 2009

Manos De Plata at the High Dive.  Dynamic sound as songs crescendo'd with bravado.  Drummer with nice moments and syncopation.  Songs down tempo to start and redemptive to end.  Song...

Micachu and The Shapes at The Capitol Hill Block Party July 25 2009

Loved Micachu and The Shapes  -- a sunny Friday afternoon on the Vera Project stage under hot Seattle sun.  Super inventive, wack compositions.  Singin & snarlin w/ serious British accent....

Yak Ballz and Cage at Nectar July 13, 2009

Caught Yak Ballz and Cage at Nectar. Bummed cause missed the two home town openers, Rudy & the Rhetoric and Sadistik, because they started right at nine on the dime....

Hidden Number at Nectar, Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Caught Hidden Number at Nectar as final act of a comedy show called Magical Heroine and Secrets of the Blue Moon which had some pretty off the hook comedians --...