Andrew Friedrich Trio at Seattle Jazz Fellowship June 11, 2026

Down in the basement of an old Pioneer Square building, Seattle Jazz Fellowship has good things going. Caught Andrew Friedrich backed by some amazing locals: Steve Rodby, 15-time Grammy winner, and Christopher Icasiano, who I caught in the duo Bad Luck and wrote about for Flotzam thirteen years ago.

Tunes were mostly Friedrich originals, which had a contemporary sound: modern chords and chord progressions, flowing melodies, his solos serpentine. In addition to his tunes, they played some choice nuggets: Coltrane’s “Wise One,” Monk’s “Work,” and “I’ll Remember April” played referencing Sonny Rollins’ rendition — a chance to honor him, who just passed.

The sound had a downtown New York feel. Mostly an implied beat, modal sounding, textural drums, never bombastic. Friedrich’s technique was diverse. He’d go from pure pick to hybrid picking to fingerpicking, using lots of open strings, bringing his hollowbody Tele to life. The three got a great sound together. Friedrich deferred to his bassist to take the first solo, which was a cool gesture to a mentor.